Moro Pira for comment

Federico · 15th February 2005, 09:29 PM

Dan how thick is the blade on your Pira? Had a new one a few years back from Mindanao, the horn hilt was nicely done, but the blade was paper thin. Hardened but paper thin.

Federico · 15th February 2005, 09:31 PM

Kris Cutlery is selling newly made Pira that they are labelling as being from Jolo, Sulu. Is there a significant Yakan population in Jolo?

Ian · 16th February 2005, 12:31 AM

Federico:

Census data (here http://www.ncca.gov.ph/culture&arts/...thno_yakan.htm) indicate that there are about 120,000 Yakan, with the vast majority on Basilan, a much smaller fraction in Zamboanga, and smatterings elsewhere. No mention of any Yakan in Jolo.

Ian.

Federico · 16th February 2005, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

Federico:

Census data (here http://www.ncca.gov.ph/culture&arts/...thno_yakan.htm) indicate that there are about 120,000 Yakan, with the vast majority on Basilan, a much smaller fraction in Zamboanga, and smatterings elsewhere. No mention of any Yakan in Jolo.

Ian.

That is what I was under the impression, but for a number of years now Kris Cutlery has had new made Pira labelled as being from Jolo. If Pira are Yakan specific, then are these just modern interpretations, similar to Mindanao made barongs today?

zamboanga · 16th February 2005, 02:58 AM

there are no yakans in sulu. but, there are tausugs in basilan. the present governor (Akbar) there is a tausug while the congressman is yakan (Salapuddin). yakans are found in municipalities of lamitan, sumisip, and the capital, isabela, while the tausugs are found in tipo-tipo. rarely would a yakan or tausug venture into the other's enclave unless he has a death wish.

there is a felt strain in tausug-yakan relations which stretches way back. to the tausugs, this is attributed to the fact that the yakans played a minor role during the moro wars. to quote from a tausug friend their parents always tell them to "never trust a yakan." to the yakans, this is attributed to migration of tausugs to their province (possibily to escape feuds or wars in jolo).

even in modern times, tausug-yakan feuds have been recorded in basilan. even the death of LTP Chairman Tugung in the 80s is attributed to this feud.

as to jolo-made modern interpretations of the pira, that is quite possible.

Federico · 18th February 2005, 12:38 AM

From the other thread, are 'gasa' Yakan specific?

Of note, the Pira in the Sandata section of Kris Cutlery bare strong resemblance to the modern pira produced by Yakans. If they are modern Tausug interpretations, then they are very similar in their interpretation.

Conogre · 18th February 2005, 01:44 AM

I have to admit to being confused here...what is it that denotes a weapon as being a particular type, the blade, the hilt, or a specific combination of both?
The contemporary swords that I've seen called "pira" have a hooked wooden hilt and a curved blade that sharply widens at the end with an almost spatulate tip, while many of the older ones seem to have the horn hilt with the extension of the end and a widening blade that ends in an angle.

16th February 2005, 02:58 AM	#5
zamboanga Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: zamboanga city, philippines Posts: 132	yakans there are no yakans in sulu. but, there are tausugs in basilan. the present governor (Akbar) there is a tausug while the congressman is yakan (Salapuddin). yakans are found in municipalities of lamitan, sumisip, and the capital, isabela, while the tausugs are found in tipo-tipo. rarely would a yakan or tausug venture into the other's enclave unless he has a death wish. there is a felt strain in tausug-yakan relations which stretches way back. to the tausugs, this is attributed to the fact that the yakans played a minor role during the moro wars. to quote from a tausug friend their parents always tell them to "never trust a yakan." to the yakans, this is attributed to migration of tausugs to their province (possibily to escape feuds or wars in jolo). even in modern times, tausug-yakan feuds have been recorded in basilan. even the death of LTP Chairman Tugung in the 80s is attributed to this feud. as to jolo-made modern interpretations of the pira, that is quite possible.

15th February 2005, 09:29 PM	#1
Federico Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA Posts: 312	Dan how thick is the blade on your Pira? Had a new one a few years back from Mindanao, the horn hilt was nicely done, but the blade was paper thin. Hardened but paper thin.

15th February 2005, 09:31 PM	#2
Federico Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA Posts: 312	Kris Cutlery is selling newly made Pira that they are labelling as being from Jolo, Sulu. Is there a significant Yakan population in Jolo?

16th February 2005, 12:31 AM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,363	Federico: Census data (here http://www.ncca.gov.ph/culture&arts/...thno_yakan.htm) indicate that there are about 120,000 Yakan, with the vast majority on Basilan, a much smaller fraction in Zamboanga, and smatterings elsewhere. No mention of any Yakan in Jolo. Ian.

18th February 2005, 12:38 AM	#6
Federico Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA Posts: 312	From the other thread, are 'gasa' Yakan specific? Of note, the Pira in the Sandata section of Kris Cutlery bare strong resemblance to the modern pira produced by Yakans. If they are modern Tausug interpretations, then they are very similar in their interpretation.

18th February 2005, 01:44 AM	#7
Conogre Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 371	I have to admit to being confused here...what is it that denotes a weapon as being a particular type, the blade, the hilt, or a specific combination of both? The contemporary swords that I've seen called "pira" have a hooked wooden hilt and a curved blade that sharply widens at the end with an almost spatulate tip, while many of the older ones seem to have the horn hilt with the extension of the end and a widening blade that ends in an angle.