Mandaya Dagger

Robert · 14th June 2017, 06:23 PM

This beautiful little Mandaya dagger was a gift from my good friend Detlef. I have been trying for years with absolutely no success to acquire one of these to fill an open spot in my collection. They were always too expensive, I was too late and they were already sold, or I would come in at second place on the bidding. This piece did need a bit of TLC when it first arrived with the hilt being split into three pieces lengthwise, but with a little work is now back in acceptable condition. The scabbard is next as the lower section where the end originally flared is in need of repair. there is a larger piece or wood split off and missing from the right side (when looking at the first photo) and a smaller section on the left. Where the wood has split can be seen in the last photos showing the sides of the scabbard. I believe that this is the first example of this style of dagger that I have ever seen where the center of the hilt used only a woven wrapping (instead of the usual silver band with two small rattan bands) where the rattan is still completely intact and in good condition. As for the age of this item, though only an opinion I would place this piece as possibly coming from the late 19th century.

The blade is 5-1/2 inches in length and 1-1/16 inches at its widest point. The hilt is 4-3/8 inches long including the tang and the center section between the blade and where the tang extends through it is 2-3/8 inches.

Any comments of information on this dagger would be greatly appreciated.

Best,
Robert

kino · 14th June 2017, 07:19 PM

Very nice work Robert and you are fortunate to have a generous friend.
This dagger type has been eluding me. Congrats.

mariusgmioc · 14th June 2017, 07:30 PM

A very beautiful piece, complete and in very good condition! I only saw a couple of them but they were in very bad condition and one without scabbard. Yours is truly a rare find!

I also think it may be from around 1900.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 15th June 2017, 12:33 AM

Salaams and for this weapon Please see;

http://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/nat...no/Dagger.html which states ~

Quote"The badao or winged dagger is a double bladed multi-purpose weapon used by the Mandaya of Eastern Mindanao. The dagger is a status symbol used among the Mandaya datu. It has a crown-like wooden pommel enclosed with a carved wooden sheath provided with red cloth. The red cloth symbolizes bravery among the Mandaya and it is usually seen among Mandaya hunters. The badao is 0.305 meters long and there are braided cloth belt and tassels provided to secure the dagger in proper place."Unquote.

Whilst Forum Library has other links and a great thread at http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=5906

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Ian · 15th June 2017, 01:24 AM

Very nice example Robert and again some good repair work on your part. These are very uncommon and difficult to find. I have only owned one and it was stolen in a break-in during the 1990s. Been looking for another good one at a reasonable price for many years. Congrats on your excellent gift.

Ian

Robert · 15th June 2017, 06:20 AM

Thank you all for your kind words on the repairs that have been made to this point and for the links provided. In searching for what little information I could find on these daggers it seems that the ones with the earliest collection dates (like gunongs) appear to be of a smaller size and much less decorative than their later counterparts. I was wondering if anyone else has noticed this or come to this same conclusion, or am I trying to read more into this than the evidence supports

14th June 2017, 06:23 PM	#1
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Mandaya Dagger This beautiful little Mandaya dagger was a gift from my good friend Detlef. I have been trying for years with absolutely no success to acquire one of these to fill an open spot in my collection. They were always too expensive, I was too late and they were already sold, or I would come in at second place on the bidding. This piece did need a bit of TLC when it first arrived with the hilt being split into three pieces lengthwise, but with a little work is now back in acceptable condition. The scabbard is next as the lower section where the end originally flared is in need of repair. there is a larger piece or wood split off and missing from the right side (when looking at the first photo) and a smaller section on the left. Where the wood has split can be seen in the last photos showing the sides of the scabbard. I believe that this is the first example of this style of dagger that I have ever seen where the center of the hilt used only a woven wrapping (instead of the usual silver band with two small rattan bands) where the rattan is still completely intact and in good condition. As for the age of this item, though only an opinion I would place this piece as possibly coming from the late 19th century. The blade is 5-1/2 inches in length and 1-1/16 inches at its widest point. The hilt is 4-3/8 inches long including the tang and the center section between the blade and where the tang extends through it is 2-3/8 inches. Any comments of information on this dagger would be greatly appreciated. Best, Robert Attached Images

15th June 2017, 12:33 AM	#4
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Salaams and for this weapon Please see; http://www.nationalmuseum.gov.ph/nat...no/Dagger.html which states ~ Quote"The badao or winged dagger is a double bladed multi-purpose weapon used by the Mandaya of Eastern Mindanao. The dagger is a status symbol used among the Mandaya datu. It has a crown-like wooden pommel enclosed with a carved wooden sheath provided with red cloth. The red cloth symbolizes bravery among the Mandaya and it is usually seen among Mandaya hunters. The badao is 0.305 meters long and there are braided cloth belt and tassels provided to secure the dagger in proper place."Unquote. Whilst Forum Library has other links and a great thread at http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=5906 Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi. Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 15th June 2017 at 12:44 AM.

14th June 2017, 07:19 PM	#2
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 973	Very nice work Robert and you are fortunate to have a generous friend. This dagger type has been eluding me. Congrats.

14th June 2017, 07:30 PM	#3
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,870	A very beautiful piece, complete and in very good condition! I only saw a couple of them but they were in very bad condition and one without scabbard. Yours is truly a rare find! I also think it may be from around 1900.

15th June 2017, 01:24 AM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,023	Very nice example Robert and again some good repair work on your part. These are very uncommon and difficult to find. I have only owned one and it was stolen in a break-in during the 1990s. Been looking for another good one at a reasonable price for many years. Congrats on your excellent gift. Ian

15th June 2017, 06:20 AM	#6
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Thank you all for your kind words on the repairs that have been made to this point and for the links provided. In searching for what little information I could find on these daggers it seems that the ones with the earliest collection dates (like gunongs) appear to be of a smaller size and much less decorative than their later counterparts. I was wondering if anyone else has noticed this or come to this same conclusion, or am I trying to read more into this than the evidence supports