|
|
|
29th March 2019, 03:43 PM
|
#1 | |
|
Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 674
|
Quote:
In my opinion, the panabas is chiefly a Maguindanao weapon. While it may have been used in the battlefield, it is chiefly a sultan's bodyguard and execution weapon; it's the equivalent of shock and awe for the populace. Now, why do I think it's not likely to have been used in battle? 1. There are better weapons. The oldest Moro weapon is the spear, and it's the mainstay in any conflict. Its exceptional range is a must in battlefield scenarios. The Moro warriors were not like the talibong-wielding Pulahanes of the Visayas who relied on guerilla tactics; theirs was the open battlefield kind of battle. If they relied solely on their barungs and kris, they would have been mowed down before they were able to use these in close-quarter combat. Enter the spear, which I think has not been getting enough attention in this forum. Before the kris or barung gets unsheated, it's the initial weapon, and is usually paired with a shield. If I were a Moro warrior and I had to choose a two-handed weapon, I would not choose the panabas, as it is: a. Limited in range b. Cumbersome c. Too slow d. Bigger samples are too heavy 2. It is not included in the list of traditional Maguindanao weapons. Based on a short 1970s ethnographic reference aptly entitled 'Maguindanaon', the traditional carry consists of spear, kris, and a large knife. You can see the wisdom in this array of weapons because they allow one to dominate at three different ranges of engagement; if you used the panabas as a secondary or primary, you would have to give up either the spear or the kris, which are, in my opinion, much better weapons. 3. The engraved symbols on the blade are decorative, not talismanic. Those who own multiple talismanic Moro blades in their collection will understand that there is a pattern or common motifs to engraved blades which are meant for killing. I've seen panabas before with a talismanic motif, and it's quite potent. Hope this info helps! Last edited by xasterix; 29th March 2019 at 04:08 PM. |
|
|
|
|
29th March 2019, 05:27 PM
|
#2 |
|
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 9,212
|
Very early this morning I returned from Zürich, the for sure very arduous journey was worth it's effort, first I've saved nearly half of the offered shipping costs, secondly I saved the custom tax since there is no tax on it when you bring it personal inside Germany (duty and tax-free allowance), third it's a very nice item, see the pics after a little TLC.
|
|
|
|
|
29th March 2019, 06:04 PM
|
#3 | |
|
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 9,212
|
Quote:
No problem and I very appreciate your previous words. But when I find typical combat nicks in the edge of a blade I know what was done with it. Sadly the damage in this case is not clear related due age, only a polish would bring out maybe more. And I wouldn't be angry or disappointed by an agricultre blade.  Regards, Detlef |
|
|
|
|
|
29th March 2019, 06:36 PM
|
#4 | |
|
Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 674
|
Quote:
Now that the engraving is even clearer, I'm having second thoughts =) |
|
|
|
|
|
30th March 2019, 10:40 AM
|
#5 | |
|
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 9,212
|
Quote:
May I ask which ones? Regards, Detlef |
|
|
|
|
|
30th March 2019, 12:31 PM
|
#6 | |
|
Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 674
|
Quote:
The one near the tip. Seems like a beak or something. Regarding edge-on-edge contact, it's mortal sin for BangsaMoros- especially the Tausug- for their blades to clash with another's. While I know everything will be chaos, I'm inclined to believe that edge-on-edge contact rarely happened during Moro battles. Moro Fighting Arts has a different mode of entry with weapons than the usual entry of European or FMA styles which greatly minimizes edge-on-edge contact. That being said, I'm now 50/50 with regard to whether this was designed to be a weapon or not. If ever it was, it must have been a highly experimental one. |
|
|
|
|
|
30th March 2019, 01:03 PM
|
#7 |
|
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 9,212
|
Regarding nicks in a edge, here are pictures from a Mindanao kris in my collection which has several nicks in the edges. From what they shall originate when not from edge to edge contact? Only a sharp and hard edge would be possible to let such a damage in a fighting blade IMVHO.
Regards, Detlef Last edited by Sajen; 30th March 2019 at 02:33 PM. |
|
|
|
|
30th March 2019, 03:07 PM
|
#8 | |
|
Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 674
|
Quote:
1. It may have been used by one from the non-Muslim tribes.. This has happened quite often in the past, especially with the BangsaMoro's open trading policy with some of the Mindanao tribes like the Bagobo and T'boli. There have been many instances when kris (usually the straight ones) were even re-hilted with the non-Muslim tribes' signature hilt, an indication that it was traded in or sold to the tribesmen. 2. It may have been a captured piece and used by a non-Mindanaon (or even non-Filipino) elsewhere in the war. 3. Quite unlikely, but it may have been kept in a weapons locker on a bumpy transpo ride and gotten the nicks from other blades. This has happened to at least one antique blade which was previously in my possession. I can't emphasize enough how the BangsaMoro frown on edge-to-edge contact. They regard their blades not only as weapons but as cultural artifacts of the highest order; if I remember correctly, my MFA instructor even said that direct blade work / non-blocking / non-blade-to-blade contact was ingrained to them as deeply as their aversion to pork. |
|
|
|
|
|
30th March 2019, 02:32 PM
|
#9 | |
|
Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Germany, Dortmund
Posts: 9,212
|
Quote:
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Hybrid Mode
