Bagobo, Blaan ? Your expertise please

Marbel · 15th April 2017, 01:58 AM

Hello,

Seeking your expertise please on this old blade.

The scabbard is wood, two parts, held together with original rattan and later-added string. The raised "block" holding the waist cord is not added on, it's one with the wood of the scabbard. Nice color, well worn.

The blade is heavy and sharp. Slightly loose from the hilt. The brass is very heavy with a smooth, worn feel. The last photo shows holes where chains (with bells) would have been attached to the end long ago.

So the question is - whose blade was this? The patterns on the hilt say Bagobo, the flared edge (without pattern) and the decorative holes might add Blaan into the mix and possibly (but not likely) Tboli.

Any thoughts and input would be very welcome. I'm far from an expert in this arena and seek your knowledge. Thank you very much.

Sajen · 16th April 2017, 08:46 PM

Hello Marbel,

I would guess that it is a Bagobo sword, see for example this old thread: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ighlight=tboli

Regards,
Detlef

Ian · 17th April 2017, 12:10 AM

Hi marbel:

You pose an interesting question with this one. All metal hilts are fairly common among the Lumad tribes of eastern and south-eastern Mindanao. The T'boli use all metal hilts on their kamfilan, and other groups less often.

The problem comes when blades and hilts are traded among groups, as they are quite often. The T'boli are well known for their metal work, and produce good quality blades and brass hilts, the latter being made by the lost wax method. The small kampilan (kamfilan) is a particular T'boli specialty, although other Lumad groups also make them.

That said, your sword's blade does not look like one of the typical T'boli forms. The all metal hilt, on the other hand, would pass for less than average grade T'boli work, but I agree that the decoration is more Bagobo in form. The row of holes at the end of the hilt is for hanging small bells (hawk bells), and that is a feature seen mainly on T'boli and Bagobo swords.

While all metal hilts are the norm for T'boli swords, there is usually a mix of metal and wood on traditional Bagobo (including Tagakaolu) and Blaan hilts. We don't tend to see many Blaan swords and knives, so it's harder to say what style they favored. Also, the Blaan probably bought many of their swords from the Bagobo groups. There are old pictures of Blaan datu carrying traditional Bagobo swords (I will see if I can dig them out of my files).

I'm afraid the answer to your question, Is this Bagobo, Blaan, or T'boli?, would be "yes," it's probably one of these. One other piece of information would be helpful--where did you acquire this? If it was sold through Davao City, there is a very good possibility it is Bagabo/Tagakaolu because the Tagakaolu are located close by this major center and many of the Lumad weapons coming on the market through Davao originate with them.

It's possible the scabbard may have some clues. It's not typical of T'boli work, so perhaps Bagobo or Blaan.

Thanks for showing this interesting piece. Perhaps someone else has more detailed knowledge they can share.

Ian.

Sajen · 17th April 2017, 10:36 AM

Very well explained Ian!

Battara · 17th April 2017, 07:07 PM

I'm with Ian. The hilt work looks Bagobo to me (though not the best work for them), though Bilaan can't be ruled out.

What throws me ohs the scabbard which looks almost Mandaya in form. Not typical Bagobo in any case.

Marbel · 17th April 2017, 07:10 PM

Thanks for your thoughts and knowledge Ian.

This piece came from an East Coast collector who found it on EBay several years ago. I'm afraid that's as far back as the provenance goes.

I have many Tboli blades and as you know, they are quite distinctive in their design (I'm referring specifically to the hilts and their patterns). My first thought on this was Bagobo but it didn't fit perfectly into that group either. As you noted, the high frequency of trading between these groups and the reuse of hilts, blades and scabbards creates quite a bit of grey area with these pieces at times.

I'm still scratching my head about the pattern and shape at the end of the hilt. It's quite unique and almost matches pieces where that area would have been done in wood. It's a very nice piece, beautifully worn and substantial in weight. Glad to have it.

Would love to have more comments if available. Thanks again.

Marbel · 17th April 2017, 07:15 PM

Yes Battara, thanks. We were typing at the same time.

The scabbard is certainly not a typical Bagobo design at all. Mandaya is a good call. They're neighbors. In general it just looks like a working man's scabbard.

Thanks again. Any thoughts on age?

15th April 2017, 01:58 AM	#1
Marbel Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 64	Bagobo, Blaan ? Your expertise please Hello, Seeking your expertise please on this old blade. The scabbard is wood, two parts, held together with original rattan and later-added string. The raised "block" holding the waist cord is not added on, it's one with the wood of the scabbard. Nice color, well worn. The blade is heavy and sharp. Slightly loose from the hilt. The brass is very heavy with a smooth, worn feel. The last photo shows holes where chains (with bells) would have been attached to the end long ago. So the question is - whose blade was this? The patterns on the hilt say Bagobo, the flared edge (without pattern) and the decorative holes might add Blaan into the mix and possibly (but not likely) Tboli. Any thoughts and input would be very welcome. I'm far from an expert in this arena and seek your knowledge. Thank you very much. Attached Images

16th April 2017, 08:46 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,491	Hello Marbel, I would guess that it is a Bagobo sword, see for example this old thread: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ighlight=tboli Regards, Detlef

17th April 2017, 12:10 AM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,031	Hi marbel: You pose an interesting question with this one. All metal hilts are fairly common among the Lumad tribes of eastern and south-eastern Mindanao. The T'boli use all metal hilts on their kamfilan, and other groups less often. The problem comes when blades and hilts are traded among groups, as they are quite often. The T'boli are well known for their metal work, and produce good quality blades and brass hilts, the latter being made by the lost wax method. The small kampilan (kamfilan) is a particular T'boli specialty, although other Lumad groups also make them. That said, your sword's blade does not look like one of the typical T'boli forms. The all metal hilt, on the other hand, would pass for less than average grade T'boli work, but I agree that the decoration is more Bagobo in form. The row of holes at the end of the hilt is for hanging small bells (hawk bells), and that is a feature seen mainly on T'boli and Bagobo swords. While all metal hilts are the norm for T'boli swords, there is usually a mix of metal and wood on traditional Bagobo (including Tagakaolu) and Blaan hilts. We don't tend to see many Blaan swords and knives, so it's harder to say what style they favored. Also, the Blaan probably bought many of their swords from the Bagobo groups. There are old pictures of Blaan datu carrying traditional Bagobo swords (I will see if I can dig them out of my files). I'm afraid the answer to your question, Is this Bagobo, Blaan, or T'boli?, would be "yes," it's probably one of these. One other piece of information would be helpful--where did you acquire this? If it was sold through Davao City, there is a very good possibility it is Bagabo/Tagakaolu because the Tagakaolu are located close by this major center and many of the Lumad weapons coming on the market through Davao originate with them. It's possible the scabbard may have some clues. It's not typical of T'boli work, so perhaps Bagobo or Blaan. Thanks for showing this interesting piece. Perhaps someone else has more detailed knowledge they can share. Ian.

17th April 2017, 10:36 AM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,491	Very well explained Ian!

17th April 2017, 07:07 PM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	I'm with Ian. The hilt work looks Bagobo to me (though not the best work for them), though Bilaan can't be ruled out. What throws me ohs the scabbard which looks almost Mandaya in form. Not typical Bagobo in any case.

17th April 2017, 07:10 PM	#6
Marbel Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 64	Thanks for your thoughts and knowledge Ian. This piece came from an East Coast collector who found it on EBay several years ago. I'm afraid that's as far back as the provenance goes. I have many Tboli blades and as you know, they are quite distinctive in their design (I'm referring specifically to the hilts and their patterns). My first thought on this was Bagobo but it didn't fit perfectly into that group either. As you noted, the high frequency of trading between these groups and the reuse of hilts, blades and scabbards creates quite a bit of grey area with these pieces at times. I'm still scratching my head about the pattern and shape at the end of the hilt. It's quite unique and almost matches pieces where that area would have been done in wood. It's a very nice piece, beautifully worn and substantial in weight. Glad to have it. Would love to have more comments if available. Thanks again.

17th April 2017, 07:15 PM	#7
Marbel Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 64	Yes Battara, thanks. We were typing at the same time. The scabbard is certainly not a typical Bagobo design at all. Mandaya is a good call. They're neighbors. In general it just looks like a working man's scabbard. Thanks again. Any thoughts on age?