A bolo (Tagalog: iták/gúlok, Ilocano: bunéng, Ibanag: badáng/aliwa, Pangasinan: baráng, Kapampangan: paláng, Bikol: tabák/minasbad, Cebuano: súndang/kampilan, Waray: sansibar, Hiligaynon: sandúko/binangon, Aklan: talibong) is a general term for traditional pre-colonial small- to medium-sized single-edged swords or large knives of the Philippines that function both as tools and weapons.
There are various types of bolos differing by ethnic group and purpose, ranging from large knives to short swords to specialized agricultural equipment.
Normally used for cutting coconuts,[4] it was also a common tool for harvesting narrow row crops found on terraces such as rice, mungbean, soybean, and peanut.
[11][12][13] A bolo is characterized by having a native hardwood or animal horn handle (such as from the carabao),[14] a full tang, and a steel blade that both curves and widens, often considerably so, towards its tip.
[4][5][13][16] During World War I, United States Army soldier Henry Johnson gained international fame repelling a German raid in hand-to-hand combat using a bolo.
[13][18] On 7 December 1972, would-be assassin Carlito Dimahilig used a bolo to attack former First Lady Imelda Marcos as she appeared onstage at a live televised awards ceremony.
[15][21] In the United States Military, the slang term "to bolo" – to fail a test, exam or evaluation, originated from the combined Philippine-American military forces including recognized guerrillas during the Spanish–American War and the Philippine Insurrection; those local soldiers and guerrillas who failed to demonstrate proficiency in marksmanship were issued bolos instead of firearms so as not to waste scarce ammunition.