Bontoc Head Axe (1)

Description

Bontoc Head Axe (1) — an authentic Bontoc tribal artifact from the Cordillera region of the Philippines. Part of the Philippine Tribal Arts catalog (Bontoc). Photographed from multiple angles (3 photos available) — condition and provenance details to be confirmed by seller.

History & Background:
An early 20th century Bontoc Head Axes "Native terms are Kaman, Gaman, Pinagas". These axes are used mainly for head taking. The #1 (see pics) axe and ferrules had some decays on it.. The # 2 is in excellent shape. How the head axe is use..... If the warrior has succesfully taken a head The projection on the end of the axe head would be driven into the ground. The warrior would place his feet between the wood buttress and proceed to clean the victim's scalp by scrapping it across the axe blade! The Bontoc tribe had a nasty reputation as head hunters second to the Kalinga tribe they also collected the heads of their enemies and make a gong handle out of their enemies lower jaw.(Their tribal peace pact always call for retribution - if one head was taken by the enemy from their tribe one MUST also taken as payment), this often leads to tribal war with their neighboring tribes such as Kalinga and Ifugao until the practice began to subside during the Europian Colonialism, the practice had somewhat revived around 1940's during war with the Japanese, many Japanese heads were taken. The most common weapons or fighting gears of an Igorot Warrior are - The Head Axe ("paning", "kaman", "Gaman", "Pinagas"), The Big knife ("bolo"or "banig") , The Spear ("gayang" or "tubay"") and The Wood Shield ("kalasay" or "kalasag").