Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - Those "Negrito bolos" are actually Ilocano knives

Ian · 27th January 2017, 08:28 AM

Part 2: Not Negrito but Ilocano

Simply put, "Negrito bolos" bear no resemblance to typical Negrito knives. The Negritos are hill tribe groups who have the capacity to work iron into bolos, but they are metal poor communities with little access to the auto leaf springs from which the "Negrito bolos" are made. Historically, the Negritos had to scrounge for iron to make their knives and arrow heads, and they seldom ventured into the market places frequented by tourists. The Negritos often bought bolo blades from other ethnic groups to meet their needs. Furthermore, they produced almost nothing made of brass or bronze. Many of these points are covered in the article by Fox who conducted his research in 1946-1947 and published it in 1952. The "Negrito bolos" were emerging around the time of his research.

So where do these bolos come from?

Based on the style of knives produced and the materials used, especially the use of brass for the guards and ferrules, we can say with some confidence that these are most likely Ilocano in origin. The Ilocano are the third largest ethnic group in the Philippines (after the Cebuano/Visayan and Tagalog groups) and are a sophisticated culture well versed in metalworking in iron and brass. Ilocanos are found widely throughout much of the Philippines, but they are particularly concentrated in the lowland areas of northern Luzon, extending down to Pangasinan, Zambales and Pampanga Provinces. Their range overlaps that of the Negritos whose preferred habitat are the hills.

Attached below are several examples of Ilocano knives that reflect many of the same features seen in the "Negrito bolos."

All of this raises the question of why would the Ilocano knife makers put "Negrito bolo" on their knives for sale to US servicemen and tourists? I have my own thoughts on this but I'm interested to hear from others also.

Ian.

-----------------Attachments: Examples of Ilocano knives that reflect features seen in "Negrito bolos"------------------

Figure 1. Ilocano knife from Calaciao, Pangasinan Province. Note the brass ferrule and "pinky notch" with tri-lobed pommel. Tang is placed off center. This knife was discussed here previously.

Figure 2. Ilocano dahong palay. The brass guard and integrated ferrule are well seen, as well as the off center placement of the tang.

Figure 3. Pair of small Ilocano knives. Again, the typical brass guard and integrated ferrule are evident. Tang is placed centrally for these double-edged knives.
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27th January 2017, 08:28 AM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,034	Part 2 Part 2: Not Negrito but Ilocano Simply put, "Negrito bolos" bear no resemblance to typical Negrito knives. The Negritos are hill tribe groups who have the capacity to work iron into bolos, but they are metal poor communities with little access to the auto leaf springs from which the "Negrito bolos" are made. Historically, the Negritos had to scrounge for iron to make their knives and arrow heads, and they seldom ventured into the market places frequented by tourists. The Negritos often bought bolo blades from other ethnic groups to meet their needs. Furthermore, they produced almost nothing made of brass or bronze. Many of these points are covered in the article by Fox who conducted his research in 1946-1947 and published it in 1952. The "Negrito bolos" were emerging around the time of his research. So where do these bolos come from? Based on the style of knives produced and the materials used, especially the use of brass for the guards and ferrules, we can say with some confidence that these are most likely Ilocano in origin. The Ilocano are the third largest ethnic group in the Philippines (after the Cebuano/Visayan and Tagalog groups) and are a sophisticated culture well versed in metalworking in iron and brass. Ilocanos are found widely throughout much of the Philippines, but they are particularly concentrated in the lowland areas of northern Luzon, extending down to Pangasinan, Zambales and Pampanga Provinces. Their range overlaps that of the Negritos whose preferred habitat are the hills. Attached below are several examples of Ilocano knives that reflect many of the same features seen in the "Negrito bolos." All of this raises the question of why would the Ilocano knife makers put "Negrito bolo" on their knives for sale to US servicemen and tourists? I have my own thoughts on this but I'm interested to hear from others also. Ian. -----------------Attachments: Examples of Ilocano knives that reflect features seen in "Negrito bolos"------------------ Figure 1. Ilocano knife from Calaciao, Pangasinan Province. Note the brass ferrule and "pinky notch" with tri-lobed pommel. Tang is placed off center. This knife was discussed here previously. Figure 2. Ilocano dahong palay. The brass guard and integrated ferrule are well seen, as well as the off center placement of the tang. Figure 3. Pair of small Ilocano knives. Again, the typical brass guard and integrated ferrule are evident. Tang is placed centrally for these double-edged knives. . Attached Images Last edited by Ian; 27th January 2017 at 06:08 PM.