Two more gunongs

[nacho]

Hi David,

No, I don't know what the inscription says. I was hoping someone out there might be able to read it.

[nacho]

Sharing some pics

[Battara]

Interesting gunongs, Nacho. Are the pommels ivory?

[PenangsangII]

Originally Posted by nacho

Hi David,

No, I don't know what the inscription says. I was hoping someone out there might be able to read it.

It says "There is no other God but Allah, and Mohamed is His Messenger"

The blade with this kind of inscription is normally worn during war, and the wearer knew that "most probably he would not come back alive".

[Reichsritter]

Originally Posted by PenangsangII

It says "There is no other God but Allah, and Mohamed is His Messenger"

The blade with this kind of inscription is normally worn during war, and the wearer knew that "most probably he would not come back alive".

I was told that in former Sulu Sultanate it was the Nashaik (spiritual guide) who decides what inscription should be written to the blade of each warrior, if the warrior is worthy. The Sultan has it's own Nashaik in his Astanah (Palace) called the Dalmatuan.

Inscriptions on the blade are sometimes called by the Tausug a Lakam...it could be in symbols or Jawi. Sometimes a prayer that this blade will never harm its master including its relatives and descendants when the blade falls into different hands.