Unusual Ilongot Work Knife/Weapon

[Robert]

Perhaps the scabbard was made for a different knife or this knife had other purposes (? ceremonial).

Hello Ian, I wondered about this as well until the knife arrived and I had time to inspect it and the scabbard. The blade fits it perfectly so it was either made for this knife or for one of the same exact blade style, size and shape. Wooden scabbards were damaged and replaced often many times over the life of a blade. It would be almost impossible to state that this scabbard is the first one that was made for it. As for the possibly of this being for ceremonial use, from what I have read the Ilongot people loved to decorate not only their weapons but tools and other everyday items as well. You have also suggested that it could be for the harvesting rice and that very well could be true as it has the right blade profile. It could also be for general everyday use like the Moro sanggot/tuba knife. So without more exacting information one can only speculate as for what and how it was originally intended to be used. All I know for sure is "I LIKE IT"

[kai]

The first cutting of rice used to be an holy act throughout the archipelago.

Crafting well-decorated ceremonial tools for this purpose and safeguarding them as heirloom makes perfect sense to me.

Regards,
Kai

[Robert]

The first cutting of rice used to be an holy act throughout the archipelago.

Kai, This is something I had not heard before and definitely information I need to add to my data base.

Crafting well-decorated ceremonial tools for this purpose and safeguarding them as heirloom makes perfect sense to me.

Makes sense to me as well. I just wish that there was some way to actually verify that this knife was in fact a ceremonial piece.

Best,
Robert

[Ian]

Originally Posted by Robert

... I just wish that there was some way to actually verify that this knife was in fact a ceremonial piece.

Not an unreasonable assumption at all. The knife seems very old judging from the piece of bone used for a "guard," and it has been rewarded with its own custom fit, newer scabbard. A simple tool probably would not be decorated in this manner or treated to a new, well made scabbard unless it was being used for a particularly important purpose. I'm somewhat familiar with rice harvesting in the north of Luzon, but had forgotten what Kai just noted, that the first harvest was an important event. I really think you have the answer, or as close to it as you may get.

[Battara]

Oh I agree with you and Kai. Ceremonial rice knives would be in better dress.

[Robert]

Thank you all very much for your kind words and thoughts on this most interesting, unusual and probably rare item. If it is the consensus that my latest treasure (even though not an actual weapon) was most likely used as a ceremonial rice harvesting knife I couldn't be happier. As we all know anything can be used as a weapon, but to me finding the original intended purpose of an item such as this is much more important. I now hope to someday find a photo or drawing of another example of this knife (or at least very similar) with a description of its use or (if you are going to dream you might as well dream big) an old photo showing one actually being used. My next project will be trying to find someone who can identify what animal the bone being used as a guard was originally from. I have now had two individuals suggest that there is a good chance that it could be human. Personally I would prefer to find that it is from a water buffalo instead. Any other comments or suggestions on this piece would also be greatly appreciated.

Best,
Robert

[Ian]

Originally Posted by Robert

... My next project will be trying to find someone who can identify what animal the bone being used as a guard was originally from. I have now had two individuals suggest that there is a good chance that it could be human. ...

From the shape of it, being somewhat triangular, it could be a human tibia. That was my first impression. The Ilongot were noted headhunters, a habit persisting well into the 20th C.

[kai]

Hello Robert,

My next project will be trying to find someone who can identify what animal the bone being used as a guard was originally from.

There will be quite a few possible contenders to have "sponsored" this piece of bone. In its current condition, it is unlikely that a comparative analysis of the structure is feasible to yield any clear result.

I believe the only straightforward approach would be to test the DNA; this would need a small hole to be drilled into the bone. A sample could be taken from the inside alternatively. I guess though, you'd not be keen on having this ferrule temporarily removed from the hilt, too...

While it would be interesting to know the origin of the bone, I'm not sure it is of enough importance to initiate scientific analysis.

Regards,
Kai

[Battara]

Originally Posted by kai

The first cutting of rice used to be an holy act throughout the archipelago
Kai

I want to add Robert that this ceremony is not just a blessing but a guard against a troubled harvest. So in a sense it is a ceremonial weapon of sorts.

[Robert]

While it would be interesting to know the origin of the bone, I'm not sure it is of enough importance to initiate scientific analysis.

Kai, As I cringe at the thought of removing the bone guard to have holes drilled into it in an attempt to find out what or who it came from I must agree with you that knowing is just not that important.

I want to add Robert that this ceremony is not just a blessing but a guard against a troubled harvest. So in a sense it is a ceremonial weapon of sorts.

Jose, Thank you very much for this new bit of information. Now I feel better about posting it here in the Ethno Weapons forum and not in the Misc forum where I originally thought to post it.

Thank you all once again for your thoughts on this piece.

Best,
Robert