Panabas
Type of sword
- Type
- slashing weapon, executioner's sword
- Place of origin
- Philippines
The panabas is a chopping bladed weapon or tool from the Philippines, variously described as both a sword and a battle axe. It has a distinctive long straight haft and a curving blade of various designs. It can range in size from 2 to 4 feet (61 to 122 cm) and can be held with one or both hands, delivering a deep, meat cleaver-like cut.
It is found throughout the islands of the Philippines as an agricultural tool for cutting branches and thickets. Variants of the panabas used as combat weapons or ceremonial executioner's axes are more commonly associated with the ethnic groups of the southern Philippines, particularly with the Maranao and Maguindanao people.
The panabas is one of many bladed weapons portrayed in the "Weapons of Moroland" plaque that has become a common souvenir item and pop culture icon in the Philippines.
External links
Facts from Wikidata Q1752759 (CC0); quoted introduction from English Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22.
Data: Wikidata (CC0 1.0); Wikipedia (English) (CC BY-SA 4.0). Retrieved 2026-10-22.