66 BULLETIlSr 137, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



Every Filipino has his bolo. It enters into his home life and marks his social 

 and professional rank. A Filipino who has risen to the rank of an officer in the 

 army preserves carefully the bolos which he has acquired in his upward career. 

 At home, the bolo is kept in a place sacred to itself, usually over the door of 

 the main room. It enters into the religious life of the More, and before its 

 home niche men and women perform sacred rites. The best are manufactured 

 in Mindanao. The classification of the social and professional significance of 

 the arm by the Moro of Mindanao is tacitly accepted all over the Philippines as 

 official. Officers and men of importance in the Filipino Army and government 

 accept this classification. The bolos are made by hand, and the workmanship 

 is so ornate and beautiful that is compares favorably with the best work of the 

 European armorer. 



This was written over two decades ago, and the extent that the 

 statement is no longer applicable is a measure of the acculturation 

 that has been brought about in the material and social life of the lead- 

 ing Filipino nationalities. In a similar manner it appears that the 

 sword as a weapon is becoming more and more obsolete as the science 

 of warfare progresses. To-day officers' swords are no longer sharp- 

 ened; the function of the weapon has changed from that of an 

 efficient weapon in the duel and in fencing to that of a symbol of 

 rank and command. In flourishing the weapon while executing a 

 command, there is danger that it might cut the officer's own men, 

 and the precaution mentioned is taken. 



Vocdbulainj of Philippine metallic hand xoeapons. — In classifying 

 various Malay and Filipino swords it is necessary to note the double 

 usage of the term " bolo." In a general sense the term is applied to 

 all Malayan sword weapons in a manner similar to the term 

 " parang " ; in a more specialized sense the term includes only those 

 weapons which are at the same time agricultural tools or chopping 

 knives like the " machete." In this sense the term is more particu- 

 larly applicable to the implement in general use throughout the 

 northern islands and in the Visayas, the ]\Ioro having a different 

 specialized form of jungle knife and imj^lement weapon which is 

 abruptly curved at almost right angles, enabling the operator to 

 cut and to chop objects lying on the ground. 



The following list is only a partial classification of hand weapon 

 types, but includes the more important and those most commonly 

 included in collections : 



Balaeao. — The Mandayan dagger of that name is local in the Agusan Valley, 

 Mindanao. The blade is an elongated, hastate form, having an iron tang 

 that passes between the fingers of the hand. The weapon is worn con- 

 cealed and is grasped in the everted hand. 



Barong. — A short length, leaf-shaped, ornamental official bolo. Carried by 

 holders of political office and by Moro duttos, sultans, and other officers of 

 political rank. It is not a fighting weapon or of any practical use. Its 

 origin is unknown. 



Bold. — A double cut and thrust weapon. The weapon is short, has a broad 

 lanceolate blade, and slightly curved handle. Generally distributed in the 

 East Indies and Malaysia. 



