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Language: Ifugao
Source: Batad Ifugao dictionary

Description

The hinālung is a double-edged dagger or sometimes as large as a shortsword. They typically have a tang that is rolled into a socket of oval cross-section.1

 

A Ifugao Hinalung

A large shortsword type hinālung with scabbard.
Mandarin Mansion inventory 2022.

 

In the literature

A Batad Ifugao dictionary says the following:

Noun
"A double-bladed bolo of various lengths, usually carried for self defense; large varieties are sometimes used for cutting trees."

Cultural note
"A double-bladed bolo is in one metal piece with a rolled handle, hālung, usually covered with a woven rattan handle covering, allūbung. One variety has a rolled handle base into which a wooden shaft may be inserted to be used, especially in the forest, as a spear." 2

 

I am personally skeptical about their use as a spearhead, for the following reasons:
1. I am not aware of such use ever being documented. Guesswork by non-native observers?
2. Ifugao spears are typically tanged, not socketed.
3. Most men carried a spear or javelin anyway. Why would one need a knife that could be made into one? Especially since it's about as much effort to carry a spare headless shaft as it would be just to carry a complete spear.

 

Notes
1. Some more examples can be seen at vikingsword.com
2. Sil Philippines Languages entry hinālung.

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