Two unusual Moro kris

[Ian]

These two kris were sold together recently at auction. They are not mine, but I thought they were somewhat unusual and worthy of showing here to provide further information for our archives. I have labeled them A and B for reference.

Example A: I would place this one as late 19th-early 20th C based on the blade with rather shallow waves (luk). The carving of the elephant trunk area, which is crude, also seems to reflect that period. The slight angle to the tusk suggests a Sulu origin. I think the gangya is separate, but would need closer inspection in hand to be sure.

All we have of the dress are the hilt and baca baca (no scabbard), which nevertheless I think are interesting. The grip is a non-descript wrap with cord, a utilitarian and inexpensive wrap for a sword meant to be used. The two baca baca are made from a copper alloy, another inexpensive material. The pommel is a simple horse hoof design, but which is quite abruptly angled downwards. That angle is uncommon on Tausug hilts, but might suggest a Yakan origin because such angled pommels were favored on 20th C pira. Other possibilities might be Palawano or northen Borneo, both of which have historical connections to the Sulu Archipelago. Adoption of the sword by another ethnic group, such as one of the Lumad tribes, might also be a possibility.

Example B is even more strange. The blade appears to be 20th C in manufacture, and I believe that the gangya is not separate. Curiously, the line of demarcation between the gangya and blade is curved and the gangya is very narrow on the greneng side. Although the blade looks Moro for the most part, the gangya and greneng are highly atypical.

The hilt is again unusual for its downward tilted wooden pommel. The possibilities mentioned above may apply here also. The grip is also unusual for its copper wire wrap, flanked by two woven strips of rattan.

I'm struggling to place which ethnic group this one may be associated with. Perhaps Palawano or northern Borneo, Lumad, or even Visayan.

As always, your comments and thoughts are most welcome.

[Ian]

To provide some perspective on "bent" horse hoof pommels on Sulu weapons, here are three examples showing various degrees of bend.

1. WWII-era Yakan pira from Basilan. This style of pira was made up until at least 2000, and may still be made today. Note the right angle bend to the pommel.

2. Palawano bangkung from Palawan Island. A 20th C example of a Palawano bangkung. These are still being made. Note the downward tilt of the carved pommel and the use of rattan bands on the grip.

3. Sulu bangkung, probably Tausug but could be Yakan. A short Sulu bangkung in mid-20th C dress. Note the more typical horse hoof pommel shape and slight downward tilt.

[Ian]

Over 1,600 views and no comments. Any feedback guys?

[RobT]

Ian,

I have a kris that is very similar to your example B. The greneng on mine is a bit more conventional and mine lacks the ganja line but the ganja area is heavily curved and narrow like yours. I can see no ghost indicating missing baca baca.
Also, on one side of mine, the base of the blade is noticeably lighter than the luk part. If this difference indicates a scarf weld, it is the most seamless one I have ever seen. The other side of the blade is all one shade and doesn’t show a seam either. Other than the number of luk (17), the blade itself looks like a typical 19th century kris. The center line follows the curve of the luk which shows that it was forged on a mandrel. The tip on yours looks odd but the center line appears to follow the luk.
The hilt on mine, with its very slender grip and bulbous pommel looks odd (perhaps the grip wrap was very thick?). The hilt appears to be ebony and is inlaid with MOP (some missing). There was a 5 pointed star inlay on the pommel (missing but probably MOP). No sheath.
Frankly, I don’t know what to make of either of these blades and having two examples just compounds the problem. In some ways, the blades are very conventional and in other ways they aren’t.

Sincerely,
RobT

[Ian]

Thanks Rob! Nice example of the questions I have raised. The MOP inserts are a sign of the hilt having been decorated in Zamboanga. The horse hoof pommel is of a Sulu type, but its fairly extreme downwards tilt suggests a possible Yakan influence. That would not be surprising. Yakan are found in significant numbers in Zamboanga, and Basilan is a short ferry journey away. I believe that the hilt on yours was probably wrapped with black twine that was woven and knotted (see my small Sulu bangkung hilt above).

The MOP decorations date from the WWII era and later. Similarly, the black cord wraps are roughly of that period. As for a scabbard, it is likely that it too featured MOP inserts at the throat and these were occasionally found down the front of the scabbard. The cut out star on your pommel was probably filled with MOP also.

As for the terminal part of my example B, this is a recognized shape for kris tips, dating from the pre-WWII years and later. It is produced by making the tip more acutely pointed, perhaps better suited for stabbing.