TRAINING KAMPILAN

Description of the article « TRAINING KAMPILAN »

ALUMINIUM TRAINING KAMPILAN

Following a request from a Kali Eskrima enthusiast, we have designed our own version of the legendary Kampilan sword.

We have streamlined the shape whilst retaining the essential elements: a tapered blade that widens towards the tip, a blade tip featuring prongs, a guard protecting the blade, a long handle providing counterbalance, and a pommel depicting a legendary creature!

We have also included openings in the guard and at the end of the hilt so that you can add decorative elements or a wrist strap.Acquiring a Kampilan means embarking on a journey of discovery into the Philippine roots; it means understanding the richness of the culture of these islands.As is often the case with aluminium training blades, small scratches may occasionally be visible on delivery; this is due to the malleable nature of aluminium.

The tip has been rounded off to prevent injury. Please ensure you wear appropriate protective gear, bearing in mind that this blade is not intended for combat.

The Kampilan is a type of single-edged sword (also known as a ‘talong’) traditionally used by various ethnic groups across the Philippine archipelago, Kalimantan and Sulawesi. It has a distinctive profile, with a tapered blade that is much wider and thinner at the tip than at the base, sometimes featuring a small protrusion along the flat side of the tip. It is a long sword that is generally wielded with both hands. The shape of the pommel varies according to the ethnic group, but it usually depicts either a buaya (crocodile), a bakunawa (sea snake), a kalaw (hornbill) or a kakatua (cockatoo).

Unlike other common pre-colonial Filipino ‘bolo’-type weapons, which were modelled on agricultural tools, the kampilan is specifically designed for warfare, whether in small-scale skirmishes or large-scale engagements.According to Philippine historical records, the kampilan was widely used by tribal chiefs and warriors in battle and as a headhunting sword.

The most famous use of the kampilan in battle probably dates back to the Battle of Mactan, where Antonio Pigafetta describes how the great Ferdinand Magellan was wounded in the left leg by a warrior wielding ‘a large sabre, resembling a scimitar, but larger’.In traditional Tagalog societies, it is also used as a religious ornament in a dambana. Kampilan swords have survived to the present day only amongst the Moros and the Lumads, as these peoples remained free from Spanish colonisation for a longer period.

Among Philippine swords, the most distinctive feature of the kampilan is its imposing size. Measuring approximately 90 to 100 in length, it is considerably larger than other Philippine swords and is considered the longest, although smaller versions do exist (sometimes referred to as ‘kampilan bolo’). A notable exception is the panabas, another long Philippine sword, some exceptionally large examples of which, used for ceremonial executions, could measure up to four feet in length. The blade is narrow near the hilt and gradually widens to take on an almost trapezoidal profile at its tip. The blades are often laminated and feature different styles of point. Kampílan blades often feature holes near the tip, sometimes plugged with brass. Even more rarely, examples are found with openwork at the tip similar to that of a kris, whilst others are engraved along the entire length of the blade.

The hilt is quite long to counterbalance the weight and length of the blade; it is made of hardwood. As with the blade, the profile of the hilt is relatively consistent from one blade to another. The hilt is sometimes wrapped in rattan to improve the grip.

The most distinctive design feature of the hilt is the pommel. The shape of the pommel varies according to the ethnic groups of the Philippines. Among the ethnic groups of the Visayas and Luzon, the pommel generally depicts a bakunawa (or naga), a mythological creature resembling a horned dragon. Among the Muslim Moro people, the pommel generally depicts either a kalaw (calao) or a kakatua (cockatoo). Other animals depicted on kampilan pommels include monitor lizards and crocodiles. Among the Lumad, who live in the interior of Mindanao, kampilan pommels do not usually depict animals, but rather feature a simple curved shape that flares out at the end.