Panabas, aka Bruticus Maximus...

dennee · 27th March 2005, 05:12 PM

And a panabas-like implement from another culture, which I am convinced is a weapon. It was sold as being from the Trobriand Islands, and certainly the incised and lime-filled wood handle suggests as much. Total length of 30 inches, the blade is about 15-1/4 inches.

Ian · 27th March 2005, 06:30 PM

Dennee:

Yours has the appearance of a panabas, including the lime-filled okir decoration -- probably 20th C. Don't think you need to look for an origin outside the Moro, but it could be from N. Borneo. Trobriand Islands seems a stretch.

Spunjer · 28th March 2005, 12:25 AM

dennee,
the bottom one looks like a panabas thru and thru. seller prolly didn't know what he had and listed it wrong...

VANDOO · 29th March 2005, 03:08 AM

IF THE PANABAS EVOLVED FROM A TOOL IT WOULD HAVE BEEN SOMETHING USED LIKE AN AXE TO CUT HARD WOOD , BAMBOO OR RATTAN AS IT WOULD HAVE BEEN TOO LARGE AND HEAVY TO CUT LIKE A SICKLE.
AS TO ITS PRESENCE IN PICTURES OF HIGH RANKING DATU'S I SUSPECT THE DATU HAD ALL THE MEN PRESENT NECESSARY TO HOLD COURT AT ALL SUCH FUNCTIONS. WHEN A DATU HELD COURT IT WAS OFTEN TO DETERMINE GUILT OR INNOCENCE IN SOME SERIOUS MATTER SO EXECUTION WAS ALWAYS POSSIBLE, SO A EXECUTIONER WAS PROBABLY ALWAYS PRESENT. THERE WERE NO LEGNTHLY SERIES OF APPEALS AND A SENTENCE OF DEATH WAS OFTEN CARRIED OUT IMEDIATELY. THE PANABAS WOULD HAVE BEEN A SYMBOL OF ATHORITY AND A TOOL OF EXECUTION. MOSTLY CONJECTURE HERE BUT IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO SEE A LIST OF THE PEOPLE AND THEIR FUNCTIONS IN A DATU'S COURT. I NOTICE A OBJECT TO THE RIGHT IN THE GROUP PICTURE THAT HAS A SMALL HANDLE AND IS CLOTH COVERED WHAT IS IT?
SOME VERY NICE PANABAS , I AM JEALOUS

Spunjer · 29th March 2005, 03:31 AM

i believe it's an umbrella...

Federico · 29th March 2005, 04:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spunjer

i believe it's an umbrella...

We must go to the same church, cause I believe its a Royal Umbrella as well

Vandoo good conjecture there. A good description on the actual mechanics of a Datu's duty is in Kiefer's anthropoligical work The Tausug. Though a case study done in the 1960s, it is very consistent with more historical observations from the 19th century and earlier. Beyond executional purposes, a strong display of potential violence (at least according to what I remember from Kiefer) was the visual display of a Datu's muscle, so to speak, to enforce his decisions if there was any opposition (since they were likely armed as well), as well as the legitimacy of his rule by the strength and well equiped status of his followers/body guards.

zamboanga · 29th March 2005, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spunjer

i believe it's an umbrella...

hmmm... could it be it's official carrier is the person at the left?

Spunjer · 29th March 2005, 02:30 PM

Quote:

hmmm... could it be it's official carrier is the person at the left?

LOL!

on a serious note tho, i wish we could get a better view of the kampilan (man in the foreground). is it just me or does the handle seems to have some metal decorations on it? either way, another fine moro weapon...

Bill · 29th March 2005, 10:37 PM

boxing exhibition?

Federico · 29th March 2005, 10:56 PM

Ughh...I have a caption for the pic somewhere, but I cant remember what book its in. But essentially Governor Taft is visiting Datu Uto (while Datu Uto retained the title of Datu rather than claim the title of Sultan for political reasons, in the last half of the 19th century he was by right and power pretty much Sultan of Buayan), and for some reason I want to say they are watching a bull-fight, but I cant remember. If Mabagani sees this thread I am sure he will remember the caption. Anyways, this is very early on into America's colonization of PI, as Datu Uto dies shortly after from a tropical disease (I believe it may have been from a cholera epidemic or was it Malaria I have his bio buried under a pile of other books, but am too lazy right now to dig). Oh well...

Spunjer for all our joking, why do I have the feeling the guy on the left could probably kick all our A$$es without breaking a sweat.

Anyways, just dont focus too much on him, remember the pretty weaponry as well

27th March 2005, 05:12 PM	#1
dennee Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: College Park, MD Posts: 186	And a panabas-like implement from another culture, which I am convinced is a weapon. It was sold as being from the Trobriand Islands, and certainly the incised and lime-filled wood handle suggests as much. Total length of 30 inches, the blade is about 15-1/4 inches. Attached Images Last edited by dennee; 27th March 2005 at 05:47 PM.

29th March 2005, 03:08 AM	#4
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	IF THE PANABAS EVOLVED FROM A TOOL IT WOULD HAVE BEEN SOMETHING USED LIKE AN AXE TO CUT HARD WOOD , BAMBOO OR RATTAN AS IT WOULD HAVE BEEN TOO LARGE AND HEAVY TO CUT LIKE A SICKLE. AS TO ITS PRESENCE IN PICTURES OF HIGH RANKING DATU'S I SUSPECT THE DATU HAD ALL THE MEN PRESENT NECESSARY TO HOLD COURT AT ALL SUCH FUNCTIONS. WHEN A DATU HELD COURT IT WAS OFTEN TO DETERMINE GUILT OR INNOCENCE IN SOME SERIOUS MATTER SO EXECUTION WAS ALWAYS POSSIBLE, SO A EXECUTIONER WAS PROBABLY ALWAYS PRESENT. THERE WERE NO LEGNTHLY SERIES OF APPEALS AND A SENTENCE OF DEATH WAS OFTEN CARRIED OUT IMEDIATELY. THE PANABAS WOULD HAVE BEEN A SYMBOL OF ATHORITY AND A TOOL OF EXECUTION. MOSTLY CONJECTURE HERE BUT IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO SEE A LIST OF THE PEOPLE AND THEIR FUNCTIONS IN A DATU'S COURT. I NOTICE A OBJECT TO THE RIGHT IN THE GROUP PICTURE THAT HAS A SMALL HANDLE AND IS CLOTH COVERED WHAT IS IT? SOME VERY NICE PANABAS , I AM JEALOUS Last edited by VANDOO; 29th March 2005 at 02:35 PM.

27th March 2005, 06:30 PM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,411	Dennee: Yours has the appearance of a panabas, including the lime-filled okir decoration -- probably 20th C. Don't think you need to look for an origin outside the Moro, but it could be from N. Borneo. Trobriand Islands seems a stretch.

28th March 2005, 12:25 AM	#3
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	dennee, the bottom one looks like a panabas thru and thru. seller prolly didn't know what he had and listed it wrong...

29th March 2005, 03:31 AM	#5
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	i believe it's an umbrella...

29th March 2005, 10:37 PM	#9
Bill Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicago area Posts: 327	boxing exhibition?

29th March 2005, 10:56 PM	#10
Federico Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Minneapolis, MN, USA Posts: 312	Ughh...I have a caption for the pic somewhere, but I cant remember what book its in. But essentially Governor Taft is visiting Datu Uto (while Datu Uto retained the title of Datu rather than claim the title of Sultan for political reasons, in the last half of the 19th century he was by right and power pretty much Sultan of Buayan), and for some reason I want to say they are watching a bull-fight, but I cant remember. If Mabagani sees this thread I am sure he will remember the caption. Anyways, this is very early on into America's colonization of PI, as Datu Uto dies shortly after from a tropical disease (I believe it may have been from a cholera epidemic or was it Malaria I have his bio buried under a pile of other books, but am too lazy right now to dig). Oh well... Spunjer for all our joking, why do I have the feeling the guy on the left could probably kick all our A$$es without breaking a sweat. Anyways, just dont focus too much on him, remember the pretty weaponry as well