| Balarao | |
|---|---|
.png) _in_sheath.jpg) Top: Abalarao from theMandaya people (c. 1926); Bottom: A Mandayabalarao in its sheath in theNational Museum of Anthropology | |
| Type | Dagger |
| Place of origin | Philippines |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 12 in (30 cm) |
| Width | 4 in (10 cm) |
| Blade type | Double-edged |
| Hilt type | ivory, metal (gold, silver), hardwood, carabao horn |
| Scabbard/sheath | hardwood, carabao horn, metal (gold, silver) |
Balarao (also spelledbalaraw,bararao, andbararaw), also known as "winged dagger", is aFilipinodagger used throughout the pre-colonial Philippines. It is unusually shaped, with a double-edged leaf-like blade and a finger-fitting grip consisting of two horn-like projections at thepommel and no guards. Thetang also protrudes at the back. The dagger is a status symbol among nobility and warriors and is usually finely-worked with precious metals, ivory, and horn.[1][2][3]
The dagger was described as early as the 1600s byAntonio de Morga, where he details its use byVisayans inheadhunting raids. It disappeared throughout most of its range during the Spanish colonial period, though it survived to modern times among theMandaya people, where it is known as thebayadau orbadao (a name also used forgunong daggers).[1][2][3]
The dagger, asbararao, has also been described as being used by theSambal people forheadhunting in theBoxer Codex (ca. 1590s).[4]
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