Panabas

The Panabas is a rare curved single edge sword used by the Moro tribes of Mindanao in the Philippines. It can range in size from 2 to 4 feet and can be held with one or both hands, delivering a deep, meat-cleaver-like cut. Panabas blades are wider at the tip than at the hilt, and are typically made of laminated steel. In their heyday, they were used as a combat weapon, as an execution tool, and as a display of power.

The Panabas in Battle

While the Panabas is now rare and there are thus no contemporary cases of its use in battle, stories from and prior to the American colonial era describe it as used in mop-up operations. It is said that warriors wielding Panabas would form a rear guard and, following in the steps of warriors in front, use the panabas to quickly dispatch any survivors.

As an Execution Tool and Symbol of Power

Because of its effectiveness at chopping through meat, Panabas was known favored for use in executions. As such, the panabas also came to symbolize a datu's power - a demonstration of his ability to control violence.

Name Origins

The sword takes its name from the root word tabas ("to chop off") and the prefix pang ("used for"). Thus the panabas literally means "used for chopping off". Similarity in form and function to sickles, also called panabas elsewhere in the Philippines, has led to the belief that the panabas was once used for agricultural purposes, or evolved from an agricultural instrument.

Fittings and Decorations

Although the curved shape of the Panabas is it's significant aesthetic feature, a few decorations also became typical modifications. Panabas hilts were often wrapped in rattan bindings or had metal collars, and some Panabas spines feature file work in the form of talismanic “X” shape.

Panabas scabbards were made of plain wood and are extremely rare - at least partly because warriors frequently discarded the scabbards prior to battle. They are also said to have been carried into battle wrapped in cloth and slung across the back.

In Popular Culture

The Panabas 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

Additional Links

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