KAMPILAN MAGUINDANAO LUMAD

[Ian]

The placing of the spike at the end of the blade is wrong for a Moro kampilan, so I would suggest that this was made by a non-Moro smith. Similarly, the presence of a disc guard is inconsistent with Moro work.

As in a similar example of a hilt that you posted recently, the segmented brass hilt and round disk remind me of northern Borneo work such as seen on Murat pakuyan.

The short length of the blade might indicate a naval weapon for close-quarters use. That could suggest a possible Iranum origin, who also had ties to Borneo.

[Battara]

Looking at this work again, I will say that the stamping and chasing work looks Moro.

On the bronze hilt, Ian, you could be right about it being Borneo, although I have seen this type of segmented work on Sulu spear ferrules as well.

Ian, what about the beads? I thought only the Bagobo viewed them as talismanic.

[Ian]

Originally Posted by Battara

... Ian, what about the beads? I thought only the Bagobo viewed them as talismanic.

Jose, I think as a general rule you're right about beads on Lumad pieces being most likely Bagobo work. I'm wondering if the beads on this sword were actually used to affix horse hair to the hilt, in much the same way as hair is found on more usual looking kampilan. I'm somewhat persuaded in this thinking by the regular rows of beads, similar to the usual holes and wooden plugs that affix hair to other kampilans. In that case the beads may be more functional than talismanic.