Moro Kampilan sword (and Badge!)

Bill Marsh · Feb 3, 2005

Just scored this kampilan. Though that you might enjoy the story. Ebay has SUCH creative sellers!

I didn't buy it for the story. I like the sword. It is a good example. However I WILL print out the story and display it with the badge.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=3775707494&ssPageName=STRK:MEAFB:IT

Incidently the story goes that Ferdinand Magellan was killed by one of these swords. He and his Conquistadors decided to attack a Philipine tribe armed with kampilans and a variety of other 'primitive' weapons. The Spainish were overconfident that their Toledo steel and armor would be more than a match for the savages.

While the armor was sufficient against the arrows, it did not cover their lower legs, so these became a target for the natives and there were a hellavolatta natives!

He died in the surf while retreating.

If anyone likes to see these older edged weapons, let me know. Also just scored a good Mandau complete with the Pisau Raut side knife used to clean out the skull when they went headhunting. It is very unusual to have the side knife as these were considered the most sacred by the owners. He might sell the rest, but he usually kept the side knife or at least the blade from it.

Now that I have said so much about it, I'll just post the Mandau link

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=3779796500&ssPageName=STRK:MEAFB:IT

Both these swords are in transit. I can take some better pix when I get them if anyone is interested.

Green Ice · Feb 3, 2005

Now that is some blade and the story sounds true. It would look neat in a display case along with the printed history and badge. You need a WW2 map of the Phillipines with the town it came from circled in red.

Just noticed the Dayak Mandau sword in your post. Really outstanding. You must have quite a collection Bill.

Ice

Kismet · Feb 3, 2005

That's lovely, Bill.

I wanna hear its stories. Do these blades talk to you in the quiet of the dusk of the day, with motes of dust settling in the fading sunlight as they whisper their stories of adventure and remorse?

Howard Wallace · Feb 3, 2005

Bill Marsh said:
Also just scored a good Mandau complete with the Pisau Raut side knife used to clean out the skull when they went headhunting.

Let us know how it works when you get it. I'll expect a review!

mross · Feb 3, 2005

I like the older ethnographic blades. I spend time on vikingsword.com. I am also
a keris collector and one day want a moro kris or sudang( at least I think this
term is right) I am also intrested in the barong. All have intresting pasts and if
they are old have a "soul". So the more pics the better.

Bill Marsh · Feb 3, 2005

Howard Wallace said:
Let us know how it works when you get it. I'll expect a review!

Maybe we can find a troll to use it on?

Bill Marsh · Feb 3, 2005

mross said:
I like the older ethnographic blades. I spend time on vikingsword.com. I am also
a keris collector and one day want a moro kris or sudang( at least I think this
term is right) I am also intrested in the barong. All have intresting pasts and if
they are old have a "soul". So the more pics the better.

I have some Javanese keris and a few Moro (Sundang). Moro kris are really cool. More like swords than the Javanese keris.

Yvsa · Feb 3, 2005

Bill like the old cannon I would be very much interested in seeing more, and better, pics.

The specs on that "side knife" would be very interesting as well. I had never heard of them before.

Bill Marsh · Feb 4, 2005

Kismet said:
That's lovely, Bill.

I wanna hear its stories. Do these blades talk to you in the quiet of the dusk of the day, with motes of dust settling in the fading sunlight as they whisper their stories of adventure and remorse?

Very poetic Kis. Yeah, they do sometimes whisper and sometimes growl. The keris are especially growly when I put one under my pillow. I have very strange dreams.

Maidens basking in the Javanese sun. Topless. Running though the surf in the day and laughing around the campfires at night and the starspeckled heavens shining down like a giant inverted bowl.

Just to lay on your back and look up at the stars until it seems you are looking down on them, your trusty sword at the ready to fend off spainiards, jealous husbands, angry fathers and unfriendly natives.

There is no question but that hand made blades have stories to tell. Though I may take some flack for saying this, I think that they have some consciousness whether the old blades or the recently made HI khuks.

Can you imagine the baptism of fire? The blazing heat of the forge? The Kamis or Pandai have prepared their altars. Checked to be sure that they are working on an auspicious day. Spoken the words. Prayed to their gods to guide their hands and creations. Maybe they chant mantras while they work. Incense is burning.

The very air is charged with fire, smoke, incense, sweat and magic. Sometimes blood when a blade being born, bites or burns someone.

The blazing hot blade is quenched. The fire and Brahma have done their work. The blade is carried to a cooler area away from the forge. Offerings of thanks are made. Rice and flowers.

Then the slow process of finishing. The handle is fitted. The scabbard is carefully made for that particular blade. Maybe a spirit is invited to inhabit that beautiful new home. More incense, offerings and chants.

Then the blade reaches out through the magic of the internet. Pictures appear on the HI Fourm and someone falls in love with it and invites the blade into their home.

So there is your Khuk, or keris or another blade. It reached out to you and now you are together. Some khuks are ready to bite wood, others hang on walls --- but ALL have a 'presence,' a life.

AND you, the reader, the blade holder, know EXACTLY what I am saying.

Indonesians, among themselves, do not ask the price of a keris they want. They ask the amount of the dowry, for this, to them, is a marriage, of man and blade.

In older times a high ranking man often sent his keris as his standin when he married a second or third wife, or a wife of lower status.

Also in Indonesia, they firmly believe that your keris is your conduit to the invisible world and also to your ancestors. To them, there is no question but that the blade is alive and has magic.

I think so, too.

If you haven't done this, try putting a favorite blade, HI or another (in it's scabbard) under your pillow. It WILL talk to you. You may be surprised. Let me know what it says.