Speaking of Panabas or is it something else

[xasterix]

It's a not a Moro blade, but rather a Lumad one, under the Subanen tribe.

They have a number of names for this, but it's commonly known nowadays as "glot." To my knowledge, modern ones are still being made, with the same scabbard, but simple wooden hilts.

The hilt may have been a product of trade with other Mindanao or Sulu locations or tribes, as even the old glot samples have simple wooden hilts. Kino, your old piece must have been a status blade in the tribe.

"Margosatubig" is a municipality in Zamboanga del Sur which is populated by Subanen.

All credit for the information goes to the museum curator of Cagayan de Oro, who is also a Lumad researcher and cultural bearer.

[kino]

Kai, the spine nearest the hilt is 5/16” thick.

Xas, makes sense since Kai noted the blades engraving doesn’t resemble Moro. I looked up Margosatubig location earlier. Any idea what “Margo”, means.

Here’s another one in this photo, from a panoply of mostly Moro weapons in a Spanish collection. Xas, you’ll probably find the Panabas interesting.

[kai]

Hello Albert,

Given the geographic setting, I wouldn't rule out a common ancestor for the glot and the pira. Still, quite different animals!

Here’s another one in this photo, from a panoply of mostly Moro weapons in a Spanish collection.

Yup, that's another nice one! Note that the ferrule is somewhat different but otherwise it's a close match - great find!

Regards,
Kai

[kai]

It's a not a Moro blade, but rather a Lumad one, under the Subanen tribe.

They have a number of names for this, but it's commonly known nowadays as "glot." To my knowledge, modern ones are still being made, with the same scabbard, but simple wooden hilts.

The hilt may have been a product of trade with other Mindanao or Sulu locations or tribes, as even the old glot samples have simple wooden hilts. Kino, your old piece must have been a status blade in the tribe.

"Margosatubig" is a municipality in Zamboanga del Sur which is populated by Subanen.

All credit for the information goes to the museum curator of Cagayan de Oro, who is also a Lumad researcher and cultural bearer.

Thanks, Xas, that's great information! What are the other names - would be good to have them just in case they may happen to show up in any old literature!

Has the curator already published on Subanen blades? Maybe he could be so kind giving us an overview/preview on the blades from this group?

Could you possibly add a pic or two from examples with those simpler hilts you mentioned, please? Looks like the status pieces did have quite elaborate hilts as shown by the 2 antique examples here.

Regards,
Kai

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by kai

Thanks, Xas, that's great information! What are the other names - would be good to have them just in case they may happen to show up in any old literature!

Has the curator already published on Subanen blades? Maybe he could be so kind giving us an overview/preview on the blades from this group?

Could you possibly add a pic or two from examples with those simpler hilts you mentioned, please? Looks like the status pieces did have quite elaborate hilts as shown by the 2 antique examples here.

Regards,
Kai

Hi Kai,

Greetings! The curator and other researchers are still in the process of writing a publication- probably in 5 years or so, they'll be able to release that, along with Lumad blade samples and relevant info.

I'll ask my friend to post his antique sample on this thread.

Sincerely,
XasteriX

[xasterix]

Kai,

Here's a sample from the Peabody Museum:

https://collections.peabody.harvard.edu/objects/76545

[xasterix]

My friend's glot vs my pira.

[kino]

Xas, Thanks for posting the link to the Peabody Glot with a status hilt and the photo of your friends Glot. I’m looking forward to the research papers of the Subanen Tribe weapons and others.
I was looking for old photos of Subanen warriors but haven’t found one yet.

Here’s another sword that could be classified as a Glot with a plain wooden hilt.

[Sajen]

Hello Albert,

Thank you for sharing this beautiful sword! And Xas, thank you for the great information. Now I want one.

Regards,
Detlef