Maranao Barong

Bangkaya · 23rd December 2012, 05:24 AM

Battara,
As I said, the barung is not a traditional Maranao weapon. However, the Maranao are making them today to fill in a certain niche (i.e. tourist or non-classic sword collectors.) Finding a true Sulu barung being made today is very difficult even though they are still made today, but travel and cargo restrictions to Sulu make it near impossible. The Maranaos being in Mindanao have capitalized on this by making barungs as well as other Sulu weapons to fill this void and these swords can be found throughout the so called "antiques" markets from Aldevinco in Davao to Tiendensitas in Manila. And the quality of these blades are quite good even though they are not a true Sulu barung. Much better than the barongs made in Benguet and Baguio (which is another story.) Even so, Sulu barungs can be found in the Zamboanga markets, yet these are quite austere compared to those found in Jolo.

What is it that you disagree about with okir? My point was that Maranao okir was different than Sulu ukkil. I made that clear in my previous post. 30 years ago I wouldn't have been able to tell the difference, but after spending time in those areas and gaining valuable insight from the people of those different cultures, it becomes quite apparent. So unless you read my post wrong I made it clear that that Maranao okir is different than Sulu ukkil.

Regards,

Bangkaya

Battara · 23rd December 2012, 06:55 PM

I guess I did read your post wrong then. My apologies then. I do agree with your last post. Again I think it is helpful to know that the Maranao are now making barongs. This explains what I have been seeing on eBay in recent years.

Nirghosa · 26th December 2012, 08:01 PM

As requested here is a close up of the Okir as well as a better shot of the tip.

Battara · 26th December 2012, 09:29 PM

Thank you.

Yup - that's Maranao okir alright!

Spunjer · 26th December 2012, 10:34 PM

...appears to have an armor piercing tip

Battara · 28th December 2012, 06:29 AM

Just for comparison here is another Maranao barong, perhaps a little earlier than the above example:

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...493#post150493

Nirghosa · 29th December 2012, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spunjer

...appears to have an armor piercing tip

It is difficult to capture in pictures but the spine follows a normal narrowing towards the tip but then gets wider again near the very tip.

Creates a much more neutral balance when swung.

26th December 2012, 08:01 PM	#3
Nirghosa Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 119	As requested here is a close up of the Okir as well as a better shot of the tip. Attached Images

23rd December 2012, 05:24 AM	#1
Bangkaya Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 38	Battara, As I said, the barung is not a traditional Maranao weapon. However, the Maranao are making them today to fill in a certain niche (i.e. tourist or non-classic sword collectors.) Finding a true Sulu barung being made today is very difficult even though they are still made today, but travel and cargo restrictions to Sulu make it near impossible. The Maranaos being in Mindanao have capitalized on this by making barungs as well as other Sulu weapons to fill this void and these swords can be found throughout the so called "antiques" markets from Aldevinco in Davao to Tiendensitas in Manila. And the quality of these blades are quite good even though they are not a true Sulu barung. Much better than the barongs made in Benguet and Baguio (which is another story.) Even so, Sulu barungs can be found in the Zamboanga markets, yet these are quite austere compared to those found in Jolo. What is it that you disagree about with okir? My point was that Maranao okir was different than Sulu ukkil. I made that clear in my previous post. 30 years ago I wouldn't have been able to tell the difference, but after spending time in those areas and gaining valuable insight from the people of those different cultures, it becomes quite apparent. So unless you read my post wrong I made it clear that that Maranao okir is different than Sulu ukkil. Regards, Bangkaya

23rd December 2012, 06:55 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,296	I guess I did read your post wrong then. My apologies then. I do agree with your last post. Again I think it is helpful to know that the Maranao are now making barongs. This explains what I have been seeing on eBay in recent years.

26th December 2012, 09:29 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,296	Thank you. Yup - that's Maranao okir alright!

26th December 2012, 10:34 PM	#5
Spunjer Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Witness Protection Program Posts: 1,730	...appears to have an armor piercing tip

28th December 2012, 06:29 AM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,296	Just for comparison here is another Maranao barong, perhaps a little earlier than the above example: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...493#post150493