Panabas!!

Battara · 13th February 2007, 01:39 AM

Bill, some of these were used as both a beheading sword and as a symbol of the datu's power and authority, especially when dispensing justice.

FenrisWolf · 13th February 2007, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

Bill, some of these were used as both a beheading sword and as a symbol of the datu's power and authority, especially when dispensing justice.

That's what I figured, especially with the more ornate versions, a symbol of the ruler's power of life and death.

It's interesting that as society's concept of 'justice' has evolved the ruler (president, governor, etc.) has retained the power to grant life, but that the power to sentence a person to death has been abrogated to a jury of the condemned person's peers, at least in theory. Whether or not maintaining a death penalty is civilized is a debate for another forum.

Question: since it was invented by a Frenchman and was used primarily by France and its colonies, is a Guillotine an "ethnic weapon"?

Rick · 13th February 2007, 02:48 AM

Speaking only for myself I would refer to it as a machine or device; much like the electric chair.

I tend to distrust the large 'Panabi'

that are only wrapped with rattan.
IMO a serious combat weapon of that size would need iron bands to guarantee its integrity in combat. The way panabas blades are mounted in a slotted handle even accounting for the use of strong natural resins and rattan wrap they would be subject to great shearing force at the blade-handle joint.
Resins suitable for a kris would be more challenged by the panabas style of mounting.

zelbone · 13th February 2007, 07:11 AM

Interesting panabas....

Just curious since I'm in Mindanao right now....from what ethnolinguistic group do you think this one belongs to?

Bill M · 13th February 2007, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zelbone

Interesting panabas....

Just curious since I'm in Mindanao right now....from what ethnolinguistic group do you think this one belongs to?

Thank you Zel, for the question.

I must confess, I really don't know. This is one of the reasons I posted it.

First, I like to share. This is one of the great joys of collecting.

Second, I like to learn and there are some people on this Forum with a lot of knowledge and experience. I hope that some of these people will reply and we can all learn.

13th February 2007, 02:48 AM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	Guillotine Speaking only for myself I would refer to it as a machine or device; much like the electric chair. I tend to distrust the large 'Panabi' that are only wrapped with rattan. IMO a serious combat weapon of that size would need iron bands to guarantee its integrity in combat. The way panabas blades are mounted in a slotted handle even accounting for the use of strong natural resins and rattan wrap they would be subject to great shearing force at the blade-handle joint. Resins suitable for a kris would be more challenged by the panabas style of mounting. Last edited by Rick; 13th February 2007 at 03:00 AM.

13th February 2007, 01:39 AM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Bill, some of these were used as both a beheading sword and as a symbol of the datu's power and authority, especially when dispensing justice.

13th February 2007, 07:11 AM	#4
zelbone Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: VISAYAS and MINDANAO Posts: 169	Interesting panabas.... Just curious since I'm in Mindanao right now....from what ethnolinguistic group do you think this one belongs to?