Pics of Moro, Sulu's Sultan n Tagalog blades

Indianajones · 28th October 2012, 12:17 PM

CharlesS, actually I just noticed that this last specimen -in regarding to another topic as often Moro handles would depict/be called 'cockatoes'- actually resembles quite strongly a (small) parrotsbeak; highlighted in silver (?)metal.
Second as I tried to find a pic of a Sulu sultan with such a sword -no luck; only barongs n krisses- I saw they were of the opinion that also North Borneo (and Palawan and west Mindanao) belonged to their sultanate.

Dont you think the ornamentation of the handle (so characteristic for this sword) is more typically Sulu, seen their other floral decorating? Personally I am not familiar with any other cultures/objects than Murut from North Borneo.

Best greets

CharlesS · 28th October 2012, 04:41 PM

I would never have even remotely attibuted these to be owned by Moros until I saw that pic of the "sultan's sword", and I had seen it a few years ago. Certainly the parrot of cockatoo pommel might be yet another parallel. Something else that intrigues me is the design on the fittings, not Moro okir at all, but there is a simulation/imitation of woven wire on both fittings. This is something we have all seen on better Moro and Malay kerises and sundangs, except that is was, of course, real woven wire, not an immitation of it.

Likely we are pulling at straws, but it has at least made me think about something I had never considered before. Could this style of "parang nabur" have been reserved as gifts, or specific to one culture, perhaps closely associated with the Moros??

Battara · 28th October 2012, 06:16 PM

The okir on this last piece is not Sulu and not Moro. It is more Indonesian. I would posit that it was a gift to a Moro or at least acquired in trade. Lots of trade in this region.

28th October 2012, 12:17 PM	#1
Indianajones Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 180	CharlesS, actually I just noticed that this last specimen -in regarding to another topic as often Moro handles would depict/be called 'cockatoes'- actually resembles quite strongly a (small) parrotsbeak; highlighted in silver (?)metal. Second as I tried to find a pic of a Sulu sultan with such a sword -no luck; only barongs n krisses- I saw they were of the opinion that also North Borneo (and Palawan and west Mindanao) belonged to their sultanate. Dont you think the ornamentation of the handle (so characteristic for this sword) is more typically Sulu, seen their other floral decorating? Personally I am not familiar with any other cultures/objects than Murut from North Borneo. Best greets

28th October 2012, 04:41 PM	#2
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,855	I would never have even remotely attibuted these to be owned by Moros until I saw that pic of the "sultan's sword", and I had seen it a few years ago. Certainly the parrot of cockatoo pommel might be yet another parallel. Something else that intrigues me is the design on the fittings, not Moro okir at all, but there is a simulation/imitation of woven wire on both fittings. This is something we have all seen on better Moro and Malay kerises and sundangs, except that is was, of course, real woven wire, not an immitation of it. Likely we are pulling at straws, but it has at least made me think about something I had never considered before. Could this style of "parang nabur" have been reserved as gifts, or specific to one culture, perhaps closely associated with the Moros??

28th October 2012, 06:16 PM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	The okir on this last piece is not Sulu and not Moro. It is more Indonesian. I would posit that it was a gift to a Moro or at least acquired in trade. Lots of trade in this region.