Sword-axe "panabas" - a terrible weapon from the island of Mindanao (4 photos)

The panabas weapon, essentially a sword-axe, although similar in design to the Nepalese kora sword, is used much further south than Nepal, or more precisely, by some ethnic groups in the southern Philippines. This weapon has gained particular popularity among the Moro Muslims of the Philippines on the island of Mindanao.





During its heyday, the panabas was used as a combat weapon, an execution tool, and as a household tool. In addition, the panabas is a symbol of the leader's power - datu, personifying his ability to control violence.



Like the European axe, the panabas delivered blows of terrible destructive force. As a rule, in battle, warriors armed with a sword-axe went in the second line of attack. Their task was to finish off wounded opponents.





The length of the weapon was within 60-120 cm. It is worth noting that the wooden handle of the weapon in most cases is longer than the blade. It accounts for about 60% of the entire length of the weapon.

The panabas blade does not have a strictly regulated shape, but it is always curved, and the blade edge can be located both on the inner and outer side of the blade bend.

Basically, two types of panabas blades can be distinguished. The blade of the first type, narrow at the base, significantly widens towards the end, and the combat end of the blade is blunt. The blade of this type is located on the outer part of the bend.



The second type of weapon has a blade that reaches its maximum width in the middle and then narrows, forming a point. In this case, the blade is already sharpened along the inner side of the bend.

Panabas were not often decorated with ornaments. It is also rare to find a weapon blade made of layered steel. The handle of the panabas is usually made of "narra" wood and wrapped in rattan fiber. Much less often, the handles of this weapon are decorated with metal.

Panabas sheaths were originally disposable. They were made from two halves of wood and fastened with a rattan strip, allowing the weapon to be instantly removed from the sheath. In doing so, they would fall apart, and after the battle, new sheaths were made for the panabas. Later, sheaths were abandoned altogether. The panabas was worn hanging over the back. The blade was wrapped in fabric.