Weapons

 

Arnis

Arnis or baston is the main weapon used by Arnis/Eskrima practitioners. It could be deadly as that of the bladed weapons if you fully discover its potential.

 

Kampilan

The kampilan is the weapon most favored by the warriors of Mindanao. This large single edged blade is most considerably noted for its fearsome look and at total lengths ranging up to 40 inches it is the largest Moro sword.

 

Kris

The kris is undoubtedly the most famous of Moro weapons. Variations can be found in every Moro tribe. Besides being a blindingly agile blade it was also a key symbol of a man’s status/rank in society, as well as often bearing h3 talismanic properties as an anting-anting (talisman/amulet). The kris was a key part to the everyday wear of a man’s dress, which often conflicted with later attempts by colonial invaders to disarm Moro society and led to many unfortunate conflicts.

 

Barong

The barong is the favored weapon of the people of the Sultunate of Sulu. This generally single edged, leaf shaped blade is an amazingly effective slicer and has been known to have the ability to cleave a man in two. The blade tends to be thick and heavy with the weight aiding in the slicing capability of this sword.

 

Gunong

Little has been written about the gunong. Gunongs are often considered to be the dagger version of the Moro kris. With blades that often bare h3 resemblance to their larger Moro Kris sword relatives. While many gunong blades are found as double edged either straight or wavy, there also exist gunong blade variants that are single edged, often with more crescent like blade shapes.

 

Panabas

The Panabas (also known as Tabas) is a chopping weapon favored by the moros of Mindanao. Panabases range in size from 2 to 4 feet. While probably originally an agricultural tool, this weapon soon gained its place as a weapon of war similar to the western battle axe. This wicked weapon can deliver horrible cleaver like blows, and was sometimes used as an execution weapon. It is sometimes said that the warriors wielding the panabas would follow the main group of warriors, summarily mopping up any survivors of the first wave of attack. The panabas blade is often features damascene patterning. On the spines of some panabas one will find decorative file work. Panabas hilts were often wrapped in rattan bindings, though some featured no wrap.

One Response to “Weapons”

|

1. arnis maniak says:

   June 10, 2008 at 10:52 pm

   wow cool weapons…i wan;t to have them all

   Reply

|