Hello, everyone! Today, I'd wish to share some facts about my hometown, particularly my barangay. I'm from Carigara, a town in the province of Leyte within the Philippine Islands.
You'll know you're in Carigara if you see plenty of bolos, sundang, or sansibar displayed on your route to Tacloban or Ormoc. Jugaban, historically called Poblacion, is a barangay within the municipality of Carigara notable for its blacksmithing.
The blacksmith industry has existed in Carigara, particularly in Jugaban, for several years. The blacksmith industry originated in Carigara during the Spanish period, according to various internet sources, because Carigara was formed collectively from the Spanish era's base. Because of the demand for weapons and suits of armor moreover as materials to be used for every household, toil was required for this kind of labor. It was most likely for this reason that they taught local laborers what they knew.
In 1571, Juan Miguel Lopez de Legazpi assigned Carigara as an Encomienda for the Spanish colonists in Cebu.
Juan de Trujillo left Cebu to assume the post of Encomiendero of Carigara.
Source: Liberal excerpts from a historical essay by Eduardo T. Makabenta Jr. within the book Carigara published in 1995.
The owners of the local businesses learned how to make these things from their forefathers, who were considered pioneers within our area. Large numbers of those are purchased especially during harvest seasons like bolo, sundang, and even sansibar that's highly in demand.
Sansibar was born in Leyte in 1881, a day before the country was handed over by the Spanish to the Americans through colonization. Before, it is primarily used as a tactical weapon. Its design changed throughout time, and it now not resembled the original concept.
The majority of buyers, both residents, and non-residents are keen to buy Sansibar. Sansibar is a term utilized in the locality to describe a long sword that may not usually use for farming. It's mostly accustomed to cut down trees and bamboo. It's a stainless-steel bar with a stunning appearance and razor-sharp edge. Some buyers purchased them solely to display them on their walls.
The most amazing part of this industry is that til now, Gen Z, all blacksmiths in Jugaban haven't used modern machinery, all the blades are handcrafted. Although the method takes a long time, the quality of the finished product is much superior to it machine-made ones. Despite the high price tag, buyers are still inquisitive about acquiring the products because they're well-made and of prime quality.
Carigara is one of the places in Leyte where you'll find a talented blacksmith. As the locals say, "In the land of the Pintados, Carigara is and always will be the Master of Steel."
Adios! See you in my next blog Hivers....
I am Ruffalyn, from a coastal municipality in the province of Leyte, a soon-to-be architect by profession and a working mom. Join me as I bring to light the inner piece of me.
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That is a cool metal art. I like reading about weapons, Sansibar looks very effective sword for combat in the past.
Yeah, really is a cool metal art. I had no idea this was used for combat back then. HAHAHAH. All I know is that my father used it to cut bamboos.😅 Thanks for dropping by @lebah ..
That's a very interesting post. It's good to see the art of blacksmithing isn't lost.
Thank you 😇 Yeah, most people I know even request to personalized their blades just for self defense 😅😅
Master of steel gyud hahaha
Of course. Labay la, itsahan hn sundang 😂
Indeed a Masters Steel. My uncle is from Ormoc but he didn't share that you have lots of beautiful and good quality sundangs there.
😇 Daghan sad na kaau maam ddto. Gikurtina ra ang mga sundang 😅
Wowwww....Ka nice gud ..mamili Niya ko...hahahahah
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Nakalabay mi dri sauna. Daghan jud mga sundang nakadisplay...
Murag nahimo na kurtina mam noh? 😅 Thanks for reading @bluepark Ms. Tata 💜
Mao jud halos kada bay naay nangurtinang sundang heheh. Di jud pwede magsurang-surang 😄😄😄
Haha. Btaw. Bisan kami danay nahahadlok agui kay bangin may mag amok na lwat. Makaharadlok .
My hometown's known for this back in the day. There are still a few shops thriving amidst modernism tho.
Part po ba yan ng Cebu? 😊 Good to know. I hope naay mga advocacies noh na magpreserve unta sa mga culture jud like sa una pa na panahon.
Oh wow! This is awesome! I didn't know about this! Thank you for this article! Now I have another item added in my Leyte To-Visit list once I'm back to Leyte. ✨
Yey! And pwede ka rin mgpagawa ng personalized blades. Hehe. Thanks for dropping by Ms. @danaperez 😇
Wow! Super awesome! Looking forward to more of your articles! 🦋
Thank you Ms. @danaperez 😇