25/09/2025
Refuting Misconceptions and Falsehoods: A Compilation of Commentaries to the "Myths" on the Tausug Bubunuh
• The use of sticks as ‘practice tools’ (similar to FMA), or even as regular ‘weapons’: For the normal Tausug tribesman/woman, sticks are used for a myriad of things: as prods for poking stuff especially for all-around farm use (swatting animals, leaves, trash, etc.), as tools for walking, etc. Then again, as already known through history, no self-respecting Tausug bubunuh (warrior) would be leaving his house without any blade close to his body. Now if really needed (and/or no choice)- a stick can be ‘weaponized’ if/when there is no blade around; really simple. There is no one “choice” of stick/s really, but preferably rather heavy types like batons for heavy striking: just enough for the warrior to be able to find time to get a blade he can deploy after temporarily using a stick if ever. Now the ‘budjak’ is a different matter- it is a long stick utilized as either a spear or javelin: a multi-faceted tool of war. As of this writing- examples of budjak hits on various walls/structures (like the famous Fort Pilar in Zamboanga) are still very evident. How was it used? Just like any 2-handed weapon: with 2 hands when body-striking at close range, and one’s aptitude to target and throw if/when needed. An addendum- for practice fighting, very simple: they/we use their/our own blades, and practice slowly, initially focusing on distance, angles, targets. Speed then comes naturally, once confidence and control naturally progress, then- the ‘juicier’ parts set in (sparring, more focused targeting, mind setting, multiples, etc.). Yes- nowadays, ‘fighters’ will say “full contact” is the way to go, because it breeds ‘toughness’, ‘fearlessness’, etc. People forget- when swordplay and wars were the norm (the Tausugs have been at war ever since pre-Spanish times and- at times even up to now…), the approach to ‘learning how to fight’ was initially via slow, deliberate movements focusing on the realities of fighting, getting injured and dying, thus the importance of angling, body placement, etc. As we all understand universally, sparring definitely IS indeed a crucial learning process, but not a slugfest wherein anyone can be injured anytime due to unnecessary slugging/pounding (imagine having to suddenly fight in a real combat situation, yet one is unable to do so, given your arms, legs, head, etc. are all battered from ‘full contact’ sparring and the sort). As it is, this approach had been the de facto approach to ALL combat arts from then until now- even the art of ‘Muay Boran’ and the ever-popular combat sport Muay Thai coming from our Thai brethren, have used this approach from time immemorial to help fighters develop technique, awareness, and strategic thinking. The focus was on precision, control, and understanding the nuances of each movement and reaction. Arts like Kenjutsu, Prankation, Indo-Melayu Silat, Jiu-jitsu (and all its variants/styles), Xinyi, etc.- ALL attest to this. “Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.” With this, do understand- REAL combat has NO RULES, no weight levels, etc.- the only reality? Weapons: THE great equalizers (very true even until now). Thus, the Tausug saying- “ano ang laro mo…”; it is ‘playful, serious learning’ to survive in fighting battles, then going back to family, Insha-allah.
• "Blade vs blade" being “wrong’’/ ‘unacceptable’ in the whole spectrum of Tausug Moro fighting, from way back even until modern times: Again, quite a myth to push forward. This couldn't be further from the truth: blade vs blade is a REALITY that will always happen, bar none. Here is a link focused on explaining this ‘myth’ from way back: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19WhATqodh/.
In a nutshell, fighting is ultra dynamic- very much so with blades, given the mindset, fear, adrenalin, etc. The Tausug’s Bunga Lima approach to survival is angling, distancing as well as simultaneous countering (simply known as ‘sabayan’)- it is this approach where blade vs blade banging can and will happen, as weapon redirection is a given to this CQB tactic. The relative truth for this myth to happen in real-time (supposedly ‘no blade vs blade’ hits) will be during small blade combat, with a laring or a punyal: ALL one-handed, smallish blades best utilized as backup weapons for ambush, assassination/silent kills, etc. The reality of this is because the visibility of a small blade/knife is very minimal, super challenging, fast, very tricky. Our approach is to be always wary of the opponent’s weapon hand/s when in-fighting, then being very alert most especially with the backup/’live’ hand.
• The “use” of the kampilan, panabas, etc. alongside the iconic kalis/barung/budjak for Tausugs: As was already mentioned from our previous writeups, the Tausug bubunuh of old utilize only a handful of weapons in his arsenal: kalis, barung, laring, punyal, bujak- then with the advent of fi****ms, various pistols and rifles (as of current- what the Philippine military has, a large number of our brothers also have). With due respect to the other Moro tribes, Tausug bubunuh never had the preference for 2-handed, rather unwieldy weapons for their size and case-use, with the exemption of the budjak which is both used as a short spear and/or as a javelin (lots of materials on this- search and read on it). As already mentioned from various other sources way back- the Tausugs specifically have been known as sea raiders and ambush specialists, thus their choice of weapons would always be for speed, surprise, brutal efficiency. So rapid deployment from a vinta with maybe two or three small hidden blades, a barung on the side (or front- depends on the bubunuh’s preference, approach/tactic) and about two (2) budjak handheld for ease of throwing or two-handed wielding for close-in battle, sometimes a ‘taming’ (shield). The ability to carry multiple, ruggedly efficient weapons during that era, as opposed to a rather singularly large, heavy blade or weapon and then trying to blend in within a jungle environment for ambush would always be the practical, realistic choice. Again, the simple approach by the bubunuh when faced with adversaries with longer, larger weapons was to throw their budjak multiple times until those enemies get hit/injured, then they’d easily go for the kill with the blade as coup de grace. Again, for context- one must understand the physical attributes of these bubunuh- smallish, wiry, full of stamina, thus their choice of specific weapons they can fully utilize effectively.
• The kerambit as ‘part of the arsenal’ used by Moros, Pinoys, etc.: Again, this decades old hoopla is surprisingly still so prevalent, given the popularity of this Indonesian assassination tool, as well as it being quite unique. The approach to knives via the Tausug bunga lima is quite simple really, given our focus on body mechanics, so utilizing a blade shaped in a curve manner is very simple to us (with just minor adjustments, really). Then again- it all boils down to tradition, preference, realistic quick utility. Again to be blunt on this- the kerambit was never a Tausug Moro weapon (even as a Filipino weapon for that matter); it became a popular tool during the early 2000s when some ‘enterprising’ FMA personas wanted to feel ‘unique’ and maybe even “badass” based on their own self-perception, thus utilizing this Indon blade then touting it as part of their own array of weapons AND passing it off as “Filipino”, ‘Tribal’, or whatever- so VERY FAR FROM THE TRUTH.
• Tausug Combatives/“Bunga Lima” as ‘flowery’/‘soft’, similar to the famous ‘Pangalay’ dance movements, and supposedly ‘ineffective’ in modern times: Putting things in perspective, the term ‘BUNGA LIMA’ was actually never used in modern times out of Sulu, until early 2012, when the Nasruun Min’Allah Brotherhood decided to officially use this term to denote just a very generic nomenclature to the various arts learned/taught by the group from way back (approximately just after the death of our beloved guru Harun). So, instead of using just a generic and seemingly very western-sounding “Tausug Martial Arts” term (which honestly, is actually also very much correct), the Brotherhood opted to go culturally native in homage to the Bubunuhs from the past, the present and hopefully, the future generations, so as to be imbibed with the character and spirit of what we all cherish. This was (and still is…) in the belief that there shouldn’t be any “trademarks”, “branding”, and/or even a supposed ‘family heritage’ for the purpose of marketing. It is combative expression for survival. Thus, our mindset- Bunga Lima as a way of life to us: Bunga- to open, to grow, adapt, evolve, change; Lima- as in “hands” to capture, to call, to express, to think, to energize.
Now, the mindset of ALL true bubunuh in the Bunga Lima tradition is the mindset of “I AM THE WEAPON”- this has ALWAYS been the mantra since time immemorial, from way back unwritten history up to now. Not surprising, obviously, with the way the Tausugs are seen in history and again, up to these present times. As already understood, here are the simple facts: as pragmatic fighters/warriors, Tausugs utilized various techniques and/or tactics that were quickly adaptable to their specific physicality and temperament as warriors, thus providing the core understanding of ‘fighting movements.’ It was this focus that emphasized the reality of ‘movement as movement’, and that it NEVER had boundaries nor brands and- UNPREDICTABILITY. Just as breathing, walking, running, climbing, striking, etc., are all part of ‘bunga lima’, and obviously- ambushing, shooting, weapons-handling, poisons, etc. In effect, the collective use of ‘bunga lima’ as far as we understand it, referred to the overall “combatives”/survival m**hods still being used by Tausugs. Nothing special, really: a strike is a strike, a punch is a punch, a throw is a throw, a thrust is a thrust, a blade is a blade, a gun is a gun: what differentiates these, will be the effectivity of how these are utilized by a fighter/warrior, thus the supposed “flavor” to the use/approach to these. Are these still effective today? Again, since the coming and leaving of the Spanish, the departure of the J**s, Americans, etc. and sporadically nowadays, the Tausug have always been at the forefront of various battles and conflict, surviving, still maintaining their reputation as stoic, intrepid fighters- enough said. Now, the ‘forms’ or “dance-like movements”, are used as means to ensure a good stretch, for the bubunuh’s pliability (the physicality of it), as a means for prayer, meditation and other forms of physical expression, and as means to visualize tactics for actual combat. Executing ‘forms’ are purposeful and with an ‘end’ in mind- ‘the path to quick victory’ (‘Nasruun’). As a fact- the ‘forms’ done via bunga lima techniques are NEVER memorized as these are all freestyle and normally based on actual combat movements: empty hands and/or with weapons, all done with intent. Yes- these forms can be as soft as the moves of the ‘pangalay’, even reminiscent at times of Tai-Chi, or as hard as the more popular martial arts like Shotokan, M.Thai, etc. Consequently, several well-known derivatives (in FMA, etc.) of what we espouse focus on just being ‘karate-like’ and “hard”- far from the true bunga lima aspect of non-rigid, seamless flowing, yet accurately brutal tactics/techniques for survival. For context- most, if not ALL, of our Nasrun brothers also practice others ARTS- BJJ, boxing, Muay Thai, Karate etc.; and with the Bunga Lima arts they grew up with, or learned from relatives, etc., these are subconsciously mixed with their personal preferences for fighting/survival. Nothing too cerebral about this.
Unlike most martial artists, the Tausug bubunuh does not use many drills, but rather focus more on the wholistic approaches to situational scenarios, and as already mentioned: UNPREDICTABILITY. Thus, the combative aspects revolve on these aspects: traditional/physical, conceptual, philosophical, scientific and beyond. Although distinctly similar, each bubunuh moves and fights according to his/her own ‘bespoke’ understanding, expressions and ex*****ons to fighting and surviving- no rigid templates nor patterns. So- the main driver for this is REALISM to survive and the intent and ability to be efficient, effective, quick, explosive. As was already articulated by legendary experts and survivalists predating modern ‘tactical training’ (the likes of Musashi, Hattori Hanzo, Masahiko Kimura, W.E. Fairbairn, E.A. Sykes, Donn F. Draeger, etc.), the focus is just simply on a few major aspects: Attitude/Intent/Mindset, Physical Prowess/Strength, Skills/Consistency; the spiritual/internal aspects, another matter. One may think of the “Yin and Yang” concept, etc.: Bunga Lima’s universality akin to ‘software’ (i.e., mindset, concepts, philosophy, Religion, scientific m**hods, negotiations, psy-war, etc.) and ‘hardware’ (i.e., Lanswang, Sepring/Supring, Barwang, Silat, Kuntaw, usage of various weapons, etc.). All of these already exhibited and attributed through centuries of devotion and fervent (Islamic) religiosity, during times of peace, the daily lull, trades and conflicts. The tests and evolution of the arts flowing through geopolitical and economic interactions- local, regional, even global: the ‘laboratory’ of reality. Having said these, the Tausug Bunga Lima Combat-Survival arts can be said as fitting tools of survival for Sulu’s ‘little people’, a tribe that has survived and thrived through the centuries. As a fact though, many tactics we use may not be agreeable to taller, larger people; it is what it is.
• Wired testicles to heighten rage, violent tendencies during ‘juramentado’/”parrang sabbil” events: This had been one of the oldest yet most stupid myth ever to be spread as “truth” about Moros, notably the Tausugs (well, shades of WMD supposedly being rampant in Iraq, or the West as the guardians of “human rights”, with America and Europe at the helm, etc.). As we already shared from way back- Tausug bubunuhs are athletes on their own merits back in the day: they fish, swim and dive almost every day, they climb trees regularly, they hunt, they run, they practice bunga lima as regularly as they can. As we have written before, envision the use of 'metal binds' to the testicles to inflict a pain so great so as to induce craziness for the act of "sabbil": this is obviously a large load of BS- no athlete and/or warrior would be able to move a few inches, much more fight, if his balls were in a 'tight bind'- much more ‘pressed’. Think of swinging a stick, much more a kalis or a barung, while one pinches his own balls- we doubt if one will have strength/power to actually execute with 'deadly intent/accuracy' (more or less, even stand). What is true, are the total-body binding/wrapping using specific cloth, as this was done as part of the ritual of 'mag-sabbil'. This is a whole body "tourniquet'' of sorts, to prevent immediate loss of blood and even losing an arm and/or leg haphazardly due to various wounds, so as not to be physical impediments for the success of a warrior's mission. Do bear in mind that warriors were trained to be as quick, fast, tough and as resilient as can be: these body-wraps/binds ensure that if in case of hits/strikes/thrusts- the body can still function as needed, save from a direct head hit/shot or if/when a leg or limb is struck/cut-off. Thus, if a bubunuh still comes back alive after a sabbil ritual run- fighting/sabbil continues onto the next available day, until the time he dies from his injuries, etc.
• The use of "drugs" like o***m, "sugapa", etc. to heighten ferocity and/or bloodthirstiness: Just like Uncle Sam emphatically saying that there were indeed WMD in Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. thus their "need to send in troops"- pure fake news as history now has shown. Research indicates that opiates dull the mind/senses, makes one sleepy/lethargic- not really a good thing to use for combat- unless one wants to be a live pin cushion for being so stoned. O***m though, was arguably a major item of trade then, mostly by the prolific Chinese business corsairs- think of it as the "va**um" then to supposedly 'relax the nerves’. Coca/Cocaine? This was supposedly discovered very early (3000BC) in So. America, used by the Incas, then through the centuries used/abused in Europe, then banned in the US in 1914. Then crystal m**h came into the picture, it being initially synthesized in 1887, and was originally prescribed to treat ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and obesity (m**h causes loss of appetite), and as a nasal decongestant. This was immortalized by the German blitzkrieg drug Pervetin (by Temmler-werke/Berlin)- the "super pill" that fueled the Wermacht and made crazed automatons out of them. So up until now, there had been NO verifiable evidence of mind-altering drugs used by these 'magsasabils', aside from the regular use/abuse of betel nut & 'qawah'.
• The Tausug Moros “surrendering” to the US during the Phil-American War: According to various sources, the Bates Treaty of 1899 was an agreement between the United States and the Sultanate of Sulu (primarily a Tausug entity), aimed at securing U.S. recognition of sovereignty over the Sulu Archipelago in exchange for mutual respect, Tausug autonomy, and monthly payments to the Sultan. However, a significant translation error in the Tausug version replaced the English "sovereignty" with "protection," which the U.S. exploited to justify its eventual colonization and incorporation of the islands into the Philippines, ultimately leading to resistance and conflict. The reality is weirdly odd, given that during the American period in the Philippines (1898-1916), the Ottoman Sultan had influence over the Tausug in the Sulu Sultanate. This “influence” was primarily (and strongly) symbolic and religious, not military or political (but, very potent). Sultan Harun Ar-Rashid of Sulu adopted European dress and the fez (an Ottoman symbol) to project authority while fighting American forces, but the actual power dynamic involved local resistance, American military conquest, and eventually, the Sultanate of Sulu's suppression and annexation. The Ottoman Sultan did send a message via a representative, Finley, to the Muslim population forbidding hostilities against the Americans, a plea that was obeyed by many, effectively averting a larger "holy war" against American rule (CTTO). On the other hand, hostilities gradually slackened, due to the large numbers of bubunuh who died in various large skirmishes (Bud Dajo, Bud Bagsak, etc.), with other bubunuh doing a guerilla war, even after 1915 when the US supposedly pacified the “whole of Mindanao” by then, but not Sulu in its entirety. According to James R. Arnold, author of the book “The Moro War”, this insurgency campaign then ‘prefigured American wars in Iraq and Afghanistan more than superficially: It was a bitter, drawn-out conflict in which American policy and aims were fiercely contested between advocates of punitive military measures and proponents of conciliation’. Food for thought, because as the saying goes, “History always repeats itself”.
• A Kuntaw “Council of Elders” BS: As we already mentioned from way, way back- NO SUCH THING as a “council of elders”, or whatever kind of hallucinatory fantasy martial arts charlatans try to present. The Tausug bubunuh is forever loyal to family, clan, his g**o- he will always be wary of people NOT OF HIS OWN FAMILY/CLAN, much more his tribe. Thus, we are placing this point in perspective. It surely could be that the lure of having a supposed “council” is to have ‘control’ over how to map the direction of commercial interests, most importantly, over some martial sports where tradition and culture are mangled to suit the whims of businessmen. So- a council focused on monetizing whatever ‘art’ or “combat sport” they can market, a business mentality with rules, rigid organization (or unless someone pays well…), etc. vs the survival/killing mindset, creative and personal growth to owning the use of combat arts, living these arts and saving these for posterity and family/clan. Again, shades to this so-called “Council of Kuntaw Masters of the various Moro Tribes’’ from way back which made our g**o (Salip Harun Ladja, RIP) and lots of our other senior brothers, laugh out loudly at such fakery and stupidity. Obviously, these charlatans unashamedly preening themselves as “artists”, masters, etc., really just wanted to elevate themselves as pseudo-experts of a 'uniquely mysterious tribal art/s', hopefully to gain some more semblance of "authority" and credence - a money-making ploy so blatant but lapped-up by trying hard wana-bees, both foreign and local. Do remember- the Moro tribes whether Tausug, Maranaos, Maguindanaoan, etc. DO NOT NORMALLY BAND TOGETHER, given their specific cultural differences, so UNDERSTAND THIS REALITY. These tribes will only get together if there is a certain over-arching purpose that will benefit all involved. So during the 300-year Spanish intervention in the Archipelago, the Moro Wars of the Yanks, the short-lived occupation of the J**s, the Moro battles of the 70s, the Mamasapano debacle, and even the Marawi incident- fighters from the various Moro tribes get together ONLY when there is a specific necessity to do so, just like the already mentioned events. On normal days, interaction between these tribes is very minimal- even zero at times. In Manila and other cities close-by, Moro stall owners in shopping areas like Greenhills regularly congregate based on their specific tribe; so there- it is what it is.
• The Tausug unwillingness to ‘share’ knowledge/know-how: sharing stuff really depends on the intent of the people asking on just about anything. We have been hearing things about us “Tausugs” not revealing/sharing too much about how we use blades, weapons, etc., etc, yada-yada. Given these, the quintessential question then surfaces- WHY NEED TO SHARE? Now, take into context the survival m**hods we espouse, and how we would feel towards supposedly “interested” persons about learning things we utilize for survival. Realistically speaking: will a smallish, wiry people known for survival and fighting for centuries just give up accumulated tribal knowledge to just about anyone, for whatever numerous whimsical (or otherwise) reasons they can think of? Take note- not even for money, as these kinds of knowledge have never been commercial. Thus, the justified reluctance to be relatively unwilling to open-up and to simply “share”. In 2007, the NM Brotherhood initially did some ‘demos’ at UP, more of sharing some approaches that we understand set us apart from the FMA Community. From that small gesture of sharing stuff, a few people became enamored with trying to learn anything about the Moros, thus more discussions on weaponry, tactics, etc. As it turned out- quite a healthy dose of questions and discussions were then brought up, with more people from the elsewhere sharing their own knowledge, experiences, viewpoints. Just a case in point- the bubunuh’s liberal (but very efficient) use of the ‘stomping kick’: part of the offensive/defensive arsenal of the Tausugs, also known amongst our Indo-Melayu/So.East Asian brethren as either sepring or supring. Quite an unusual kick akin to the regular front kick but used very much closer to the body, more as a CQB tactic. This was demo’d by us quite regularly from about 20 years back; lo and behold, as of current- a number of the so-called ‘tactical FMAs’ have now been regularly utilizing this type of kick, albeit in a different ‘flavor’ (more rigid, as befits squarish FMA movements). Even in MMA now, this kick had also been famously (or infamously) been used to devastating effect, too, and this was just within about five to ten (5-10) years or so. Nothing to it, really, as again- we never claim to have a monopoly on how a technique like this is to be used; just saying this as it was. Do remember- there are things that need to be within the confines of cultural and religious spheres of understanding, thus we may also be hard-up in simply just explain the how’s and why’s of things as completely and/or clearly as possible.
Again, contrary to previous impressions and propaganda, Moros- especially Tausug, are not mindless warrior automatons: strategies, analysis, tactics, ex*****ons, adaptability, maneuvers, etc., have been tools and systems of deep minds and combatants, whether in the battlefields and/or businesses (e.g., just like the slave trade as practiced by the Middle-eastern, Asian, European as well as Moro cultures, the use of mercenaries and contemporary businesses, etc.). Also, far from the fallacies concocted by Western colonizers, the Tausugs are inherently deep in (Islamic) religious conviction, practice, philosophical fervor and aptitude- surprising to outsiders. Scholars and researchers may even see patterns and practices akin to Sun Tzu’s ‘Art of War’. As evidenced in the realm of survival of the fittest, bigger bodies have brute force at their disposal, whilst smaller bodies use smarts and intellect to survive and thrive.
