Let Us Not Slash History to Shreds

WE NOTICED that much of what’s called “indigenous” seems to have a mighty close parallel to Filipino blade work or European sword-and-dagger traditions.

Now, this simply could stem from one or more of the following:

• Human movement is finite, and battle efficiency dictates commonalties in tactics. • When cultures commingle, it can lead to apparent commonalties that result from “idea exposure.”

• It’s tempting to transplant one’s assumptions when the historical record is found to be meager, which amounts to re-branding old sauce in new bottles.

Note that I said blade work, not blade work,