Opinion about this Philippine spear

carlos · 24th July 2007, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

Big, very nice. The wood halft looks heavy, how is the other end finished? often more important to me. I wish I had one

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ANOTHER PICTURE...

Tim Simmons · 24th July 2007, 07:27 PM

Are there any signs that this end may have had metal fitted on in some way here? Does it feel like you could throw this spear? i have a picture of a fellow holding one as if to throw but he is posing for the camera.

Ian · 24th July 2007, 07:32 PM

This appears to be an Igorot spear from northern Luzon, and could well date from the late 19th C. You can see similar examples in Plate 5 of Krieger's article. The plates can be found here http://www.vikingsword.com/rila/krieger.html

ian.

Battara · 25th July 2007, 06:42 PM

Supposedly these were used to ward off evil spirits.

kronckew · 25th July 2007, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

Supposedly these were used to ward off evil spirits.

worked then, didn't it.

Bill · 25th July 2007, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

Are there any signs that this end may have had metal fitted on in some way here? Does it feel like you could throw this spear? i have a picture of a fellow holding one as if to throw but he is posing for the camera.

Tim, The Luzon spears do have metal spikes on the end, used in climbing. These spears were used for ceremonial or head hunting. The multi-barbed ones are often refered to as ceremonial. Hunting spears (throwing) are without the barbs & an example is Plate 6, spear 10 from Ian's link. Pictures of headhunting victims show the backs of their legs with multiple lacerations. My guess it's from being hooked with these spears. The mountain tribe shields also had 3cm wood strips attached with ratten on either side. My guess is that they were for "break-away" if hooked by one of these spears.

24th July 2007, 07:32 PM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,523	Igorot ... This appears to be an Igorot spear from northern Luzon, and could well date from the late 19th C. You can see similar examples in Plate 5 of Krieger's article. The plates can be found here http://www.vikingsword.com/rila/krieger.html ian.

24th July 2007, 07:27 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	Are there any signs that this end may have had metal fitted on in some way here? Does it feel like you could throw this spear? i have a picture of a fellow holding one as if to throw but he is posing for the camera.

25th July 2007, 06:42 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	Supposedly these were used to ward off evil spirits.