Batak Book

Nonoy Tan · 11th February 2009, 05:11 PM

Hi Bill,

I am glad that you like the walking cane. Apparently, a lot of time was devoted by the maker to incise those intricate designs onto the cane's surface. It is one of a kind and I have not seen anything like it. It is truly a work of art.

As far as I know those marks are designs not writings. Such designs were also present as tattoos among warriors of the northern Luzon cordillera, particularly those who have taken enemy heads. Also, these peoples do not appear to have had a writing culture, but rather oral traditions (chants, songs, prayers) passed on from one generation to the next.

On the other hand, many Philippine peoples such as the Tagalog, Visayan, Ilokano, etc. were using the ancient script until the introduction of the latin-based writing by Spain. The ancient script died a natural death, with the exception of the Hanunoo Mangyan (Mindoro Island) and Tagbanwa (Palawan) script which survives to the present day.

Nonoy

Spunjer · 11th February 2009, 05:43 PM

...it does have a strong resemblance to Baybayin, but another script that could be compared it to would be Jawi.
incidentally, this form of writing has been utilized from way back when, evident of this ancient manuscript, known as the Laguna Copperplate, dated A.D. 900:

David · 11th February 2009, 05:53 PM

Frankly it looks just a bit too clean, as in never used, to me. Makes me suspicious. Still an interesting item if not too expensive.

11th February 2009, 05:11 PM	#1
Nonoy Tan Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 293	Hi Bill, I am glad that you like the walking cane. Apparently, a lot of time was devoted by the maker to incise those intricate designs onto the cane's surface. It is one of a kind and I have not seen anything like it. It is truly a work of art. As far as I know those marks are designs not writings. Such designs were also present as tattoos among warriors of the northern Luzon cordillera, particularly those who have taken enemy heads. Also, these peoples do not appear to have had a writing culture, but rather oral traditions (chants, songs, prayers) passed on from one generation to the next. On the other hand, many Philippine peoples such as the Tagalog, Visayan, Ilokano, etc. were using the ancient script until the introduction of the latin-based writing by Spain. The ancient script died a natural death, with the exception of the Hanunoo Mangyan (Mindoro Island) and Tagbanwa (Palawan) script which survives to the present day. Nonoy

11th February 2009, 05:43 PM	#2
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	...it does have a strong resemblance to Baybayin, but another script that could be compared it to would be Jawi. incidentally, this form of writing has been utilized from way back when, evident of this ancient manuscript, known as the Laguna Copperplate, dated A.D. 900:

11th February 2009, 05:53 PM	#3
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	Frankly it looks just a bit too clean, as in never used, to me. Makes me suspicious. Still an interesting item if not too expensive.