A heavy double pointed sword with a rich history in the Philippines. As maintained by tradition, the Kampilan is about 38″ to 44″ with a carved hilt with a single edge. Kampilans were widely used as “head-hunting” swords on enemies in the southern Philippines. The handle is shaped like a jaw of reptile lizards and alligator makes this sword unique in appearance. Nobody is really quite sure whether the serpent on these weapons represents a crocodile, a dragon, a snake, Bakunawa (a mythical creature known to eat the moon), or other mythical Naga (Baybayin word for a deity or class of entity, taking the form of a very great snake or serpent). To make matters more confusing, the best weapons experts in the Philippines (and other countries) continually categorized the dragon-like hilt as a crocodile or an alligator as fact. In the past, strands of hair are attached to the pommel of the handle for a more appealing and intimidating look.
A single-edged bicuspid weapon that has an ornate handle made of brass and ivory. There are strands of human hair hanging at the bottom of the handle to decorate the sword handle. It is believed that the Maranao of Lanao del Sur used this sword as a weapon to “cut off heads and for splitting the body from top to toe.” Today, the kampilan is used among the datu and sultan as a symbol of power, wealth and status and is manufactured purely as a commercialized item.
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