The offensive weapons used by the Bagobo are spears, knives (Fig. 15 and
Plate XXXII), and at times bows and arrows (Fig. 17). For defense they
carry shields, either round or oblong (Figs. 31-32), and cover the body
with so many strips of hemp cloth that a knife thrust is warded off.
Turning his body sideways to the enemy, the warrior crouches behind his
shield, keeping up a continuous capering, rushing forward or dancing
backward, seeking for an opening but seldom coming to close quarters.
Arrows and spears are glanced off with the shield. An attack is usually
initiated by the throwing of spears, then, if the enemy is at a
disadvantage or confused, the warriors rush in to close combat. For this
purpose they rely entirely on their knives, and as fencers they are
unexcelled. They are but indifferent shots with the bow and arrow, and
that weapon is but little used in actual combat. It has been frequently
stated that these arrows are poisoned but I was unable to discover a
single specimen so prepared. When hard-pressed, or when a camp must be
made in dangerous territory, sharpened bamboo sticks--_sogiang_--are stuck
into the ground with their points directed toward the enemy. These must
be carefully gathered up by the pursuers, who otherwise run the risk of
having the knife-like blades driven into their feet. Old warriors state
that in former years they not only covered the upper part of the body
with hemp cloth but wound over this long decorated strips called
_gindua_; they also tell of coats of mail made of carabao horn or
rattan. None of these outfits exist in the territory today, but it is
not at all improbable that they were formerly in use, for the long
decorated bands are still found among the Bukidnon of the North, with
whom some trade is carried on; and a few coats of mail are to be seen
among the neighboring Moro.