Kalis

Sword. Kalis or keris luma. The typical weapon of the Muslim Moro peoples (mainly Maguindanao and Maranao tribes) living at some parts of the Philippines. The hilt of the object shown in the picture is wrapped in metal cords clasped between silver rings and the top is decorated with a knob in the shape of a horseshoe. The latter is usually made of wood, and the more ornate and valuable materials (here: bone inlay) indicate that the owner may have belonged to the upper class (datu). The scabbard is made of valuable wood, the two flat pieces of wood being attached to each other with bamboo threads. Collected by Ferenc Hopp.