The Shield of the Bontok

The Shield of the Bontok
The Shield of the Bontok | @nayongpilipino.museo

The shield of the Bontok is called the kalasag. It is typically blackened with three prongs at the top and two prongs at the bottom, similar to the form of other Cordillera groups’ shields. It is typically made of light wood, with the Bontok group blackening their shields using soot. The kalasag center is more prominent, forming the “wings” at the sides. Plaited wood, likely rattan, can be found at the top and bottom part before the prong formation.

You may want to read: