Ethnographic Arms & Armour
 

Go Back   Ethnographic Arms & Armour > Discussion Forums > Ethnographic Weapons

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 17th September 2020, 01:09 PM   #1
tanaruz
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 266
Default BAGOBO BOLO?

Hi friends,

From my father's collection- a supposed to be Bagobo bolo (a kampilan?).

1) in one of my earlier posts, I have shared a presumably tagagaolo bolo with a similar scabbard design (floral side of the scabbard/round metallic discs).

My father remembers this piece as a Bagobo bolo (as what was told to him by the antique seller in General Santos City). We have Bagobo bolos/swords (aside from the 'datu' class earlier posted) in our collection- but they have hilts with a combination of wood + metal designs - this one has a solid hilt made out of brass.

Looking at the design on the brass hilt- it makes me wonder in indeed this is Bagobo.

Any feedback/inputs would be appreciated.

Regards

Yves
Attached Images
    
tanaruz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17th September 2020, 01:50 PM   #2
Ian
Vikingsword Staff
 
Ian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Aussie Bush
Posts: 4,006
Default

Hi Yves:

Yes, this one is Bagobo/Tagakaolo. The Tagakaolo are one of the three main groups of Bagobos, who live mainly on Mt Apo and surrounds, including Davao City. It is uncommon to see an all brass version of this hilt. Usually it is the decorated brass ferrule with a wooden (often banati) pommel.

Ian
Ian is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17th September 2020, 02:16 PM   #3
tanaruz
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 266
Wink BAGOBO BOLO?

Hello Sir Ian,

Thanks so much for the info!


Kindest regards

Yves
tanaruz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17th September 2020, 11:41 PM   #4
xasterix
Member
 
xasterix's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 593
Default

That's a Bagobo kampilan, all right...I'm just curious about the scabbard, as it seems to deviate from usual samples. Here's my godfather's brass-hilted Bagobo piece with the usual scabbard.
Attached Images
 
xasterix is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18th September 2020, 03:09 AM   #5
Rick
Vikingsword Staff
 
Rick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,258
Question

What defines this sword as a Kampilan?
Is Kampilan a generic term through out the islands?
Couldn't this sword also be called a Bangkung?
Rick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18th September 2020, 06:14 AM   #6
Battara
EAAF Staff
 
Battara's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,135
Default

Like Rick I too question the use of "kampilan". I also agree with Xasterix in that this is an unusual scabbard, almost looks like Moro "knock off" or a more recent Moro scabbard for this Bagobo piece - trade perhaps?
Battara is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18th September 2020, 07:28 AM   #7
Ian
Vikingsword Staff
 
Ian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Aussie Bush
Posts: 4,006
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick
What defines this sword as a Kampilan?
Is Kampilan a generic term through out the islands?
Couldn't this sword also be called a Bangkung?
Rick, I think this one is another kampilan-like blade. Probably more so than resembling a bangkung which tends to have a more rounded approach of the spine to the tip. I don't know what the Bagobo would call this blade.

Xas, nice traditional ensemble, with the complete brass hilt also. These two would make a dozen or so of this style I have seen with all brass hilts. I never found one for sale when I was accumulating Lumad pieces. It's nice to see these two good examples of Bagobo/Tagakaolo brasswork.

As far as the scabbard, I think it may be from Zamboanga. It seems to have a rope keeper for tying around the waist.

Ian
.
Attached Images
   
Ian is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18th September 2020, 04:16 PM   #8
xasterix
Member
 
xasterix's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 593
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ian
Rick, I think this one is another kampilan-like blade. Probably more so than resembling a bangkung which tends to have a more rounded approach of the spine to the tip. I don't know what the Bagobo would call this blade.

Xas, nice traditional ensemble, with the complete brass hilt also. These two would make a dozen or so of this style I have seen with all brass hilts. I never found one for sale when I was accumulating Lumad pieces. It's nice to see these two good examples of Bagobo/Tagakaolo brasswork.

As far as the scabbard, I think it may be from Zamboanga. It seems to have a rope keeper for tying around the waist.

Ian
.
Hullo Ian I think the label depends on the sub tribe. Like one if the sub tribes calls it 'paligoma.'
xasterix is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18th September 2020, 04:57 PM   #9
Rafngard
Member
 
Rafngard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Minneapolis,MN
Posts: 321
Default

I haven't had a chance to clean it up yet, or get better photos (these are from the seller), but here's a similar piece that I recently picked. Aside from the string/fiber in the "gaps", the hilt is completely brass. I do wonder if they all originally had these?

The only other things I'll add are that the hilt is a little small for my hands, and I was a little surprised at how blade heavy it is.

Thanks,
Leif
Attached Images
    
Rafngard is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18th September 2020, 08:58 PM   #10
Ian
Vikingsword Staff
 
Ian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Aussie Bush
Posts: 4,006
Default

Hi Lief:

That's an unusual one for a couple of reasons. First, the hilt seems to be wood with no brass. Is that right? If it is all wood, then that is more uncommon than all brass. I've only seen one other example of an all wood Bagobo hilt. Also, the pommel has some carved designs on the side--again uncommon. The hilt looks pretty old judging from the wear on the carved areas of the grip. Is the blade pinned near the guard?

Second, the scabbard has a suspension system. That's an anomaly because Bagobo groups wear their sword tucked through a sash or belt.

So I'm wondering if this is a sword in the Bagobo style made for another Lumad group. Bagobos did trade their weapons, and I recall accounts of the Mandya and Manobo using Bagobo weapons. Alternatively, this might have been carried/brought back by a US soldier. Any provenance?

Look forward to seeing more pictures when you have cleaned it.

Ian.
.
Attached Images
 
Ian is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19th September 2020, 05:38 AM   #11
Rafngard
Member
 
Rafngard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Minneapolis,MN
Posts: 321
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ian
First, the hilt seems to be wood with no brass. Is that right?
Hello Ian, the pictures don't convey it well, but the hilt is made entirely of a very tarnished, non-magnetic metal. I assume brass.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ian
Is the blade pinned near the guard?
yes, via the surprisingly large circular structure near the gard.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ian
Alternatively, this might have been carried/brought back by a US soldier. Any provenance?
No provenance. It came from ebay and was described as a "Datu Indonesian sword." My guess is that it was a bring back.

Thanks,
Leif
Rafngard is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19th September 2020, 09:46 AM   #12
Ian
Vikingsword Staff
 
Ian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: The Aussie Bush
Posts: 4,006
Default

Thanks Leif.

Pinning the hilt and tang like that is distinctly odd for any Mindanao group, or indeed for any Traditional Filipino weapon. I think this was probably WWII vintage and used by an American serviceman, or maybe even going back to the early 20th C when the US had forces on Mindanao to deal with the Moros.

Interesting piece.

Ian
Ian is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20th September 2020, 02:15 AM   #13
Battara
EAAF Staff
 
Battara's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,135
Default

That pinning my well have bee by a US GI since Bagobo didn't traditionally do this. Usually no need for it.
Battara is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 11:39 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Posts are regarded as being copyrighted by their authors and the act of posting material is deemed to be a granting of an irrevocable nonexclusive license for display here.