| Head axe | |
|---|---|
  | |
| Type | Axe |
| Place of origin | Philippines |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Cordilleran peoples (Igorot) |
Thehead axe, also known asheadhunter's axe, is abattle axe of theCordilleran peoples of thePhilippines specialized for beheading enemy combatants duringheadhunting raids. They are distinctively shaped, with a concave or straight thin blade and an elongated backward spike on the upper corners of thepoll. Their native names and designs varied by ethnic group, ranging from axes with curving slender designs to heavy axes with short heads and straight edges. Head axes, like most other pre-colonial bladed weapons of the Philippines, were also utilitarian. They were also used for cutting trees, clearing undergrowth, or even cutting hair.[1][2][3] Smallerhatchet-like versions were used by women for agricultural work.
Head axes are most widely known asaliwa among theApayao (Isneg) andItneg people, a name which has carried over to the lowlanderIlocano people. They are also known asgaman among theIfugao and Itneg people;pinong,pin-nang, orpinangas among theBontoc people;sinawit among theKalinga people;wasay among theKankanaey people; andguwasay among theIbaloi people.[4]
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Head axes all have long slender spikes on the upper back edge of thepoll. Unlike European axes, the head axe is thin throughout because the haft does not go through theaxe-head. It is only attached to the base of the blade via a metal tang that is bound to the wood by a metal ring, similar tobolos and other native Filipino swords. They also have a protruding stub or spur near the bottom end of the woodenhaft for better grip.[4][5]
Among the Ifugao and Kalinga, the axe-head generally has a curving concave front upper edge (thetoe) and a concave bit. Among the Itneg and Bontoc, the upper edge and the bit are generally straight, with shorter axe-heads. The Apayao design is unique in that the length of the axe-head is longer, resembling a shortbolo or apanabas, with a concave bit and a straight upper edge.[4][5]
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Head axes, along withbolos, were used in close-quarters combat alongside thekalasag shield. The shield has specially-designed prongs on both the upper and lower edges. The three upper prongs were designed to be thrust unto an enemy's legs and were quickly twisted to trip them; while the two lower prongs were designed to fit over the neck of a downed enemy for decapitation with the axe.[5]
Not all head axes were used for warfare. Among the Ibaloi people, theguwasay was only used as a tool, with other weapons (like spears, war clubs, and bows) being preferred in warfare. Among the Kankanaey, head axes are differentiated into ones used for headhunting and ones used only for utilitarian purposes.[4]
Small hatchet-like versions known as theiko were also used by Apayao women for harvesting crops and other various utilitarian purposes. These were distinctively tucked into the headdresses of women when they were out working on the fields.[4]
Head axes were outlawed, along with headhunting practices, during theAmerican colonial period of the Philippines in the early 20th century. They have largely been replaced with thebolos of lowlander Filipino cultures.[1]