Moro Spear???..or not?? Opinions sought

[migueldiaz]

The pics below are from Philippine Picture Postcards 1900-1920.

You can barely discern the features of the spears shown though.

[migueldiaz]

Here's some more pics of Moro spears.

They all still show the spears from afar, as I can't find pics with close-up shots of the spearhead. Anyways ...

[Rick]

One is probably not Moro ...
May as well add them anyway .

[CharlesS]

Great pics and more great examples.

Rick I have another budiak practically identical to your example on the right.

regarding some of the old photos....certainly seems like an odd way to carry spears....by the blade. I wonder if blade down translated into "not at war....no threat"???

In the mock combat pics the way the spears are carried and used seems awkward as well.

[kino]

In the mock combat pics the way the spears are carried and used seems awkward as well

It would seem like it was used for close combat not for throwing.

[Spunjer]

Originally Posted by CharlesS

Great pics and more great examples.

Rick I have another budiak practically identical to your example on the right.

regarding some of the old photos....certainly seems like an odd way to carry spears....by the blade. I wonder if blade down translated into "not at war....no threat"???

In the mock combat pics the way the spears are carried and used seems awkward as well.

does seem awkward but actually that's where the focal point is.


although not all are made for throwing, and i'm sure you're familiar with this beauty, charles:





ferrule was entirely made out of weaved brass wires and metal strip (yep, that's human hair tied near the base).






to put much dedication on something like this, i'm pretty sure i won't lob this baby. so that leave this for close quarters...
notice the bamboo strip for thumb rest:

[migueldiaz]

Originally Posted by Spunjer

to put much dedication on something like this, i'm pretty sure i won't lob this baby. so that leave this for close quarters...

Spunjer,

Very nice pics! I love the details on those spears (thanks, too, Ric!).

There's so much details in fact, such that Krieger remarked in his study of Philippine weapons:

"The greater the amount of effort spent in the shaping and finishing of the weapon, the greater the reluctance that it is parted with. Among the more primitive tribes of the world the spear is usually a missile, consisting of a straight wooden pole running to a point hardened by fire, as among the tribes of New Guinea. In the Philippine Islands the spear is rarely a missile and the spear thrower is unknown."

Earlier though in the same book, Krieger also said:

"As a spear once thrown at an enemy can with difficulty be recovered it is sometimes customary to carry the spears in pairs -- one for throwing at the adversary early in the fight while the other is retained for hand-to-hand fighting. This practice exists among the Jacanes of the interior of Basilan Island."

Spears designed for throwing tend to be less ornate, such that it lends itself well for mass production. The Romans' pilum (below) is a good example of this.

And such el cheapo for-throwing-only spears are sometimes designed (e.g., the pilum) to break or bend upon impact, so that the enemy cannot throw it back.