Gunong

The Gunong (also known as the the "puñal de kris" or "kris knife") is a dagger associated with the southern Muslim tribes of the Philippines, most particularly the Maranao. It serves both as a utility knife and as an important weapon used for close quarter fighting - usually as a last defense.

It is carried by both sexes and is often worn at the back, tucked into a waist sash, but can also be hidden in other places. As a weapon, it is thrust towards the enemy, sometimes in conjunction with its larger cousin, the Kris Sword.

Description

The gunong is basically a dagger version of the kris, and the design of the blade shares the wide range of variations exhibited by its larger relative. The basic gunong blade can thus be straight or wavy, and is almost always double-edged like the kris.

The distinctive characteristic the gunong shares with the kris is that the blade widens towards the hilt to protect the bearer's fingers, instead of the separate finger guard common to most other swords.

The style of the gunong's hilt has changed over the years and this feature is one marker used to differentiate modern pieces from those made before the American occupation.

History

While use of the gunong dates back to before American colonial times, the gunong became a much more important part of Muslim Mindanao culture in 1915 when General John J. Pershing issued an order outlawing the wearing of swords. Since the various tribes' cultures called for the wearing of bladed weapons as part of daily attire, people turned to the gunong to fill the gap, allowing them to retain their dignity without arousing the fears of the US colonial authorities. Newer gunong also thus became larger than old pieces.

Around this time, gunongs began to be crafted with a bulbous "pistol grip" hilts rather than the straight hilts more prevalent in the past. More extravagant fittings with chased bands on scabbards, belt clips, guards, and bulbous ferrules also became common.

Changes in typical gunong style after World War II, included the use nickel and aluminum, and thinner blades.

In popular culture

The gunong is one of many bladed weapons portrayed in the "Weapons of Moroland" plaque that has become a common souvenir item and pop culture icon in the Philippines.

Sources

*cite web
last = Greaves
first = Ian
authorlink = Ian A. Greaves
coauthors = Jose Albovias Jr. and Federico Malibago
title = SANDATA — THE EDGED WEAPONS OF THE PHILIPPINES
work = History of Steel in East Asia
publisher = Macau Museum of Art
url = http://www.arscives.com/historysteel/philippines.introduction.htm
format = html
accessdate = 2008-07-30
*cite web
title = Gunong
work = Sandata - Traditional Filipino Weapons
publisher = Traditional Filipino Weapons, LLC
url = http://www.traditionalfilipinoweapons.com/Gunong.html
format = html
accessdate = 2008-07-30

External inks

* [http://www.arscives.com/historysteel/philippines.swords.htm| Museum inventory showing images of various swords]