Manobo Swords

The weapon at the top is a tabas. The one at the bottom is a bangkong. They both look deadly to me, but the tabas must be purely ceremonial, for based on its definition in the Kitab (Dulangan Manobo Customary Law), it is “used for war dance and for dowry.”

(Blogger's note: This post is part of a series on items that the Dulangan Manobo people traditionally use in their daily lives. Special thanks to the RNDM nuns assigned in Kulaman Plateau. For more information about the series, read my introductory post or click the label Delesan Menubo below.)