The weapons of the warriors consists of a spear, head-axe, and shield, and the small bamboo spikes known as soga.  They do not make use of the bow and arrow, although they have been credited as possessing them. [184] The old men claim it has not been used in their lifetime, nor is mention made of it in the folk-tales.  The only time it appears is in the crude weapons used in shooting fish in the rice-fields, and in the miniature bow and arrow, which hang above the heads of a newborn child.

Bolos, or long knives, are carried at the side suspended from the belt, and upon occasion may be used as weapons.  However, they are generally considered as tools (Fig. 7).

The Head-Axe, aliwa or gaman (see Fig. 8).—­The axes made by the Tinguian and Kalinga are identical, probably due to the fact that the center of distribution, as well as the best iron work of this region, is found in Balbalasang—­a town of mixed Tinguian and Kalinga blood.  The blade is long and slender with a crescent-shape cutting edge on one end, and a long projecting spine on the other.  This projection is strictly utilitarian.  It is driven into the ground so as to support the blade upright, when it is desired to have both hands free to draw meat or other articles over the cutting edge.  It is also driven into the soil, and acts as a support when its owner is climbing steep or slippery banks.

The blade fits into a long steel ferrule which, in turn, slips onto a wooden handle.  The latter may be straight or plain, but commonly it has a short projection midway of its length, which serves as a finger-hold and as a hook for attachment to the belt.  Quite frequently the handle is decorated with thin circles or bands of brass, while ornamental designs sometimes appear on the blade.

While the axe is primarily a weapon, its use is by no means confined to warfare.  It is used in house and fence building, in cutting up game and forest products, and in many other ways.  Fig. 8 shows three types of head-axes, the first two, the Tinguian-Kalinga axe; third, the Igorot; fourth, the Apayao.  There is a noticeable difference between the slender blades of the first group and the short, thick blade of the Igorot, yet they are of the same general type.  The Apayao weapon, on the other hand, presents a radical difference in form.  Despite these variations, the axes of these three tribes present an interesting problem.  So far as it known, these are the only tribes in the Philippines which make use of a head-axe, and it is believed that no similar weapon is found in the Malayan Islands.  However, blades of striking resemblance do occur among the Naga of Assam. [185] It is possible that the weapons of these far separated regions may hark back to a common source, from which they received their instruction in iron working.

The Spear, pika.—­The various types of spears used by the Tinguian are shown in Fig. 9.