Important Collection of Antique Asian Arms
Lot 156:
This is a classic sword of the Moro people of the southern Philippines and of the Sulu Sultanatearea called a barong. These swords have a distinctive form that is specific to this region of SouthEast Asia and the southern Philippines, though it is believed that they are related to theIndonesian badik knife, though in a greatly expanded and enlarged form.The barong has a distinct leaf shaped blade which is an effective cutting and slicing form, andmay be used for stabbing depending on the profile the smith develops. Barong blades are oftenthick and heavy with the weight aiding in the slicing capability of this sword.This example in the Schmiedt Collection is a simple fighting example, though of finer than usualconstruction with a long silver ferule, associated with the Tausug Moros, and a good fightingform pommel. The distinguishing feature of this sword is the exceptional provenance asindicated the old collection tag which notes that this barong was taken from a Juramentadoduring the rite of Magsabil by a Philippine Scout in 1907. Following the end of the Spanish-American war in 1902, the American armed forces and Philippine allies fought a continuous war, known as the Philippine-American war or the Philippine Insurrection against groups across thePhilippines. The Moros in particular resisted American rule, as they had Spanish rule before theAmericans, but the firepower of the American occupation force pushed many Moro men, andsome women, to become candidates known as mag-sabil or those "who endure the pangs ofdeath." These warriors would rush into crowds and areas with American and Philippine soldiersand purposefully try to kill and wound as many as possible knowing that they would be killed.After a Moro youth took an oath on the Quran, he or she became a juramentado. They wouldtake a ritual bath, shave all their hair, and a strong band was wrapped firmly around the waist, and cords wrapped tightly around the genitals, ankles, knees, upper thighs, wrists, elbows, andshoulders, to restrict the blood flow and prevent the mag-sabil from losing too much blood frominjury before accomplishing their task. They would dress in a white robe and turban, and mostoften they wield a barong.At the moment of attack, the mag-sabil would approach a large group of Christians, shout "La ilaha il-la’l-lahu" ("There is no god but Allah"), draw their barong and then rush into the groupswinging the barong, killing and maiming as many victims as possible in the time he had left. At the time this barong would have been collected in 1907, there were many such incidents. A U.S. Congressional Report of a later period documents many such juramentado incidents noting thatJuramentados still terrorized Army posts and eternal vigilance and quick straight shooting is theonly chance against them. There is no defense against juramentados. It further notes just one, ofmany such incidents and which would have been indicative of the kinds of scenes that this barong would have been used in.April 6 1907 one of these ran the streets of Jolo and dropped three soldiers of the Fourth Cavalry before guards bullets sent him to Paradise. Further research in the U.S. Army rolls forthe Philippine service may identify the Sgt. Brewster identified in the collection note.Owner’s note: Moro Jurumentado Barong: This barong was taken from a Sulu Moro who was killed during the rite of Magsabil. Magsabil was the Moro equivalent of the Japanese Kami-Kaze, the object being to kill as many Christians as possible therefore guaranteeing an immediateascension to paradise. The old collection tape on the blade reads "Barong of the savage Moro. Taken from the Mag sabil devil Mahamet by Scout at Parang (a town on the main island of Sulu)and given to Sgt. Brewster, 1907".Total Length (inside scabbard if present) : 24" Blade Length : 18 1/4". References:1. Cato, R. (1996) Moro swords. Graham Brash: Singapore.2. Casal, G. et al, (1981) The People and Art of the Philippines, UCLA Museum ofCultural History.3. Combes, F. (1667) Historia de Mindanao y Joló, por el p. Francisco CombÃĩs … Obrapublicada en Madrid en 1667, y que ahora con la colaboración del p. Pablo Pastells …saca nuevamente á luz W. E. Retana. Madrid: [Viuda de M. Minuesa de los Rios].4. Krieger, H. W. (1926). The collection of primitive weapons and armor of thePhilippine islands in the United States National museum. Washington: Govt. Print.Off..5. Macao Museum of Art. (2007). History of Steel in East Asia. Macao Museum of Art.Macau6. Tom, P. (2001) Notable sabers of the Qing Dynasty at Metropolitan Museum of Art.The Metropolitan Museum Journal. 367. Hurley, V. (1936). Swish of the Kris; The Story of the Moros. E.P. Hutton8. Philippine Uprisings and Campaigns from July 5, 1902 to December 31, 1913:Hearing … Seventy-sixth Congress, Third Session, on H.R. 7693, a Bill GrantingPensions and Increase of Pensions to Certain Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines whoServed in the Philippine Uprisings and Campaigns from July 5, 1902, to December31, 1913, and for Other Purposes.Detailed condition reports are not included in this catalog. For additional information, including condition reports, please contact us at [email protected]
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