I'm just thinking about this oil which is made with water growing plants, the only thing that comes to mind is perhaps lotus oil. I have actually used lotus oil on some of my keris. I cant think of any other aquatic plants from which oil is made.

Is this a ritual which is meant as an offering to the keris or it's spirit or does it have some other purpose?

[This is because Kamis Kliwon is considered to be a day for the spirits. And it is always Thursday (once a month though)

George[/QUOTE]


Actually, today is Kamis Kliwon if anyone is interested to feed his/her "little friends". :)

Thanks for the heads up George. :)

Kamis kliwon cannot fall more than once a month, but that does not mean that there is a kamis kliwon in every month.

This year, 2008, kamis kliwon falls on jan 3, feb 7, mar 13, apr 17, may 22, june 26, july 31, no kamis kliwon in august, sept 4, okt 9, nop 13, des 18.

Kamis kliwon occurs when kliwon, from the five day market week:- legi (umanis),pahing, pon, wage, kliwon, coincides with kamis (Thursday), from the seven day calendar week.

The sacred day for Muslim people is Friday, but Friday does not commence when midnight is passed on Thursday, it commences when the sun goes down on Thursday, and it ends when the sun goes down on Friday.

Those people whom I have known who followed the practice of bathing their keris with smoke from menyan did so each Thursday evening. However, the reason why somebody may, or may not do something when that person is acting in accord with a Javanese belief system is not necessarily simple, easily interpreted , nor standardised.

For instance, the conjunction of kamis + kliwon generates a set of numbers under its neptu that can be interpreted in various ways according to the Candra Sangkala. Then again, according to the dhapur of a keris, one day may be better than any other to attend to any perceived needs of that keris---for example, minggu wage is the best day to attend to a keris of dhapur brojol. But on the other hand, if that day falls on a day when the naga is not in a fortunate position, or when the owner himself may be better to perhaps stay in bed and not do anything, then obviously he would be a little bit silly to engage in tending to his keris.

Thus, if we are truly serious about bathing our keris with menyan, it might be best to first determine our Javanese horoskop, consider the attributes of our keris, and take account of the characteristics of the various days. Probably we should seek expert advice in such an important matter. But for those of us who are not Javanese, and not living within the social and cultural fabric of traditional Jawa, all of this could be a little bit pointless.

I am not sure why it must be blood, but my guru told me that this ritual is supposed to boost the keris owners spirit in the face of an impending battle. Sometimes, the keris owner undergoes this ritual before running amok....to kill anyone on his path....something like juramentado that is practised by the moros.

Why blood? It's said that once you see blood all over your keris (and your body), you are no longer afraid to draw blood from virtually anybody. It's somekind of prevention from "mabuk darah" (passing out upon seeing a lot of blood :D ).

I thought the blood was an offering to the Djinn in the keris. Not all keris have Djinn but the bad ones do. This type of keris is said to get more powerful the more times the blade has tasted blood. Sure most of you have heard about the keris becoming more powerful by tasting blood. If you think about it its obvious a metal blade is not going to get stronger by being covered in blood but what's in the blade might ;)

I have quite a few keris that have tasted blood (my own) and they have shown no sign of being inherently evil or any more powerful because of it. :)

the existence of keris is unique in south east asian social system and believe.

the people who believe keris is an appartement of ghost/spirit tend to do an offering ritual as an obligation. Even, if not an obligation, they do more because they are afraid if the ghost/spirit inside leaving their kerises and trying to find new appartements in where full of kemenyan smoke every friday kliwon / tuesday kliwon or friday legi.

moreover, some people go beyond. for instance, even still in the same level of offering using kemenyan, there are variety of kemenyan. everyone has favorite kemenyans. more powerful ghost inside they believe, more special kemenyan they offer. Then, usually, more special kemenyan is more expensive.

competition of offering is not finished yet by offering the most expensive kemenyan.

to few people, they try to offer using fresh blood. In their believe, using blood is the ultimate offering to get the most powerful ghost/spirit from sixth world.

then, till this step, sometimes a question rises who the real master is: the owner of keris or the ghost inside keris which owning the soul of the owner. be aware :)

offering is an expression
expression leads awareness
awareness leads to the decision how many effort should be spent
then
the real power of protecting should still inside the people who do an offering
the keris remains merely a "medium"
even to the people who believe in ghost power
the keris master should be THE MASTER.

all mentioned above is just an opinion :)

OeS in Africa

I believe we see eye to eye on this one Usman. :)

Yes, agreed.

The master of oneself.

Personally I think a keris is and can be thought of as a Jimat.

http://drgrotte.com/BalineseMedicine...ntraforAmulets

"Because the jimats is created and consecrated specifically for one individual it can never be transferred to another"
In this respect at least i would have to say that a jimat is the polar opposite of a keris.
:shrug:

"If possible, the consecration of the jimats through the mantras is best when completed either on the new moon, full moon or a particularly auspicious day called Kajeng Kliwon that occurs every fifteen days. Consecration proceeds as follows:

1. Bringing the jimats into being with its accompanying mantra, using the name of the recipient as well as visualization
2. making the jimats alive with the Penguripmantra,
3. following with a joining mantra,
4. concluding with the Pasupati mantra that imbues the jimats with sakti

The jimats is then worn next to the skin by the recipient, who is instructed with additional information on the responsibilities of honoring, respecting and maintaining the live state of the jimats. If these instructions are not followed the jimats will cease to contain living energy."


Above was what I was referring to, the isi (or whatever you prefer to call it) would be created in a similar way. Also its questionable as to whether a keris was made for one person or not. That is why some would prefer a new keris rather than an old one ;)

Is it? Surely a specific keris is initially designed with a single person in mind, but the idea that it will then be passed on down through the family as a direct line of power and a means of accessing that family's power and history seems implicit to the keris and it's cultural application.
Seems a strange statement from a guy who calls himself Pusaka. ;) :)
There may indeed be similarities with the way jimat is imbued with sakti, but i think that it in the nature of the way this particular type of magick works. Certain many keris were made solely as talismans, but then keris have always had many other positions to fill in Indonesian life. I am not saying that some may not have functioned as a type of jimat in some cases, but to say that is what a keris is seems a bit off the mark to me. :shrug:

The isi of a keris is transferable to the next owner, provided we treat the isi in the same manner that the original owner/s did. Further, when we buy a keris, we have the so called akad or solemn, and its not exactly buying a keris, but rather marrying to a keris by offering "mahar" or "mas kawin".

I've heard that not all keris 'isi' is transferable to the next owner. For example, the pusaka class, 'isi' would only serve the blood line of the initial owner or family.

For the most part i agree with you Shahrial. Certainly if i were to buy a true pusaka item that was in one family for generations i would never consider that keris to now be my pusaka, or believe that i could then pass that keris onto my son an maintain any kind of unbroken chain of power from the original family ownership. However, while i do believe that "blood may be thicker than water", i think perhaps intention may be at least as thick as blood. I can envision a scenario where a keris might be passed on to someone who is not actually a part of the original owners bloodline. Perhaps an adopted son or someone who has become like a son to the keris holder and/or his family. If it is given in this spirit and accepted with these understandings i believe it may be possible to maintain an unbroken chain of power in the keris.

Perhaps. Should the original bloodline pass it on to someone else as mentioned, normally there would be a ceremony, for the 'transfer of ownership' with the name of the 'guardian' / 'isi', be made known... together with the accompanying rituals, based on what I understand. ;)

True, if it is a real keris (one with power) then you cant keep any isi alive without repeating the mantra/ name. To know the name of a keris is to access its power. The name is only known to the owner/ maybe the family also? If you buy a real keris how will you find out its name?

Ask it. ;) :)

LOL David, I dont have that problem because I'm quite sure none of my keris, including the old ones have isi. Actually I believe a keris with an isi is a very very rare thing. Only people of a very high level can create an isi. It requires a higher manasakti than the average person has. Not something that can be acquired without training in ilmu and a thorough knowledge of such things. Such people are rare indeed and therefore such keris are rare indeed.
I know that there may be many who say prayers and mantra to keris with the intention of empowering it but as a guru once told me "a keris is only as powerful as its maker" Adepts are rare people, there are many who think or declare themselves as such but when it comes down to it most of them can talk the talk but you will find few can actually walk the walk :D

Yes blood is thicker than water.....but not necessarily having the bloodline will entitle you to own a pusaka....normally the "isi" knows who can maintain the keris....and the person could be a total stranger.

I agree... a stranger but not a nobody. ;)

Lets imagine there was an unmarried buddhist/hindhuist monk commissioning a keris pusaka.

Alam & Penangsang,

If the monk had passed away, no one have bloodline relation with him. If his keris had an "isi", will the "isi" be inactive forever?

According to "isi", in my town, a lot of people believe in "isi", not only in keris but also in stone (such as akik), talisman (e.g. rajah?!) and wood (such as warangka).

regards,
Usman

I was told that the 'isi' would probably seek a new owner... depends on the strength of the 'isi'.

Likewise, in the old malay world... but then again, there are a few school of thoughts, depending on different belief systems. ;)

Greetings to all keris lovers,

I was wondering if someone (especially our Indonesian or Malayan friends) can enlight us about the way a keris might "react" if some thief or burglar is, for example, trying to get to someone that his house is been guarded by a keris. Only by rattling in it's sheath? Any other info that you might have heard?

George

George,

A lot of versions. However, I think everyone will be hesitated to tell stories. For example, someone said that his keris gave a sign by rattling whenever there was a thief inside his premises. One of his listeners gave a comment that Indonesia and Malaysia are located on volcano-rings that earthquake could happen everytime. This comment is considered as logic and smart observation. On the other hand, embarassing and losing face to the source person who still has Melayu conception and culture in his dailylife.

So... it is wise not to expect to much to get magical/illogical stories in scientific/logic forum.

warm salam,
OeS

I think that this explanation is far too simple and not so logic. Plus it underestimates the storyteller. Like he is in no position to understand if the ground beneath his legs is moving or not!


And I think that in a forum everything should be discussed, either is logic or not. I understand that the majority of people might not express their view, because they might think that they are going to lose face. Or the rest of the forum users might say they are not so "serious". Anyway,I think this is an interesting topic! :)

George

the legend of Kiai Firefly/Gloworm
 

George,

This is just one of stories that I collected. Years ago, in Gunung Kidul (Jogja, Indonesia), I got a story about Kiai Konang (Konang is Jawa word which means Firefly/Gloworm). Kiai Konang is a tombak (spearhead): perhaps it is classified as Korowelang shape, luks 13 and pedaringan kebak pamor.

Once day, there was a robbery attempt in the house of Kiai Konang. Knowing in dangerous situation, the owner unsheathed Kiai Konang. In short, the robbers run away.

Weeks/months later, the robbers were caught by police. In their testimonies, when they tried to steal in the house of Kiai Konang, they showed that the owner of the house held a pusaka. That pusaka sparked light/fire like firefly. Facing with odd phenomenon, the robbers run away.

After that, the spear point was given a name: Kiai Firefly.

Based on that story, we may conclude that the sign of keris/pusaka (if It can give and you believe in) varies.

warm salam,

OeS

:)

George,

One of my hobbies is to collect keris stories. Compared with my other hobby, to collect keris, It was free of charge. Only need to spend for transportation.

The hobby to collect keris stories, actually, came after. The first is aiming to collect kerises. However, as a university student in Jogjakarta, even to buy a keris which was considered as "beringharjo traditional market class", I had to save 1 or 2 months from my scholarship grant. Then, I modified. Instead of collecting/buying, I went from home to home to gather stories.

The stories have a lot of angels. Some were very interesting. Some were very boring. But, whatever te stories were my commitment was to be a good listener as far as I could. One of side positive impact to be a stories gather. I could map the distibution and the movement of pusakas in my hometown, of course outside Jogja palace. Mr So and So had Kanjeng Kiai Such and Such which based on the legend Kiai Such and Such was used for important mission once upon the time. FUNNY.... I enjoyed it. Another positive impact I always hope, whenever there is a movement keris (considered as pusaka class) and affordable at that moment, I know what should I do.

Logic and Illogic,

Based on tens people I met successfully, they told keris from logical aspects only if considering me as their new acquintance or a stranger. More they talked more they tended to tell something which was illogic aspect of keris. They called that aspect as spiritual, klenik, true-story, macrocosmos, genie, isi et cetera et cetera et cetera. In my conclution was only one: they talked about POWER of KERIS.

I dont know here, in this lovely forum, Keris Waroeng Kopi. Beside of art aspects of Keris, how deep do the members take unspoken consideration of illogical aspect of keris. However, I have never to rise that question since, imho, it is too provocative, isnt it?!

warm salam,

OeS
Romo Somo "zonder mistik, keris is less interesting"

Usman, i don't think it is provocative at all and i certain don't discourage the telling of unsubstantiated or "illogical" stories on this forum. I think what is important is the context in which they are told though. If, for instance, we are trying to come to some academic conclusion about the keris in regards to some historical or technical context, legends and stories might not be valid for that discussion. But legends and stories in and of themselves are marvelous things that even if not actually true (and some of them might be true ;) ) can give us a deeper understanding of the culture and spirit of the people and place. :)
I hope you have been writing down all those stories you have been collecting. :)

In 1978 I moved into a new house. I did not move in overnight, but moved some things in, then a week later came back and took up residence. When I came back the second time I found that my new house had been burgled. The thieves had taken everything of value---they even took a jacket and a pair of shoes.

Now, what I realised was that I had left my new house empty and without a particular keris that I knew to be very powerful in the prevention of robbery. During the next 20 odd years in that house nobody ever tried to break in again. Some of my neighbours houses were burgled, but not mine, even though my house was very easy to get into because it had a low, hidden back window that a burglar could access without being seen.

Why?

It must have been because from the day I moved into that house and lived there I had that one particular keris with me.

Not only that, but my house never ever burnt down either, and I reckon that is proof of the power of another keris that I take care of that prevents houses from being burnt down.

But its not only keris that prevent these unfortunate events from taking place. My grandmother always used to hang garlic above the windows and doors, as did one of my aunts. The aunt took extra measures too---she had a holy water font at each doorway. The purpose of the garlic was to ensure that no evil spirits entered the house, and they never did. Not in either house. So you see garlic can be a very powerful preventative too.

I could go on and on about the power of various types of preventative charms. For instance, my mother never moved outside the house without St. Christopher around her neck. She lived well into her 70's, and never, ever during her entire life was she involved in any sort of unfortunate event while travelling from one place to another.

But the whole problem is that we are surrounded by disbelievers. My next door neighbour in that house that was burgled was a manufacturer of burglar alarms, and when my house was burgled, he immediately offered to instal an alarm for me at cost. I agreed and he put motion detectors everywhere and warning stickers all over the windows. He reckoned it was his good work that kept the burglars away. Like I said---disbelievers everywhere.

believer et disbeliever exist in every aspect of life. even in God some people trust and some others dont trust.

so... dont put our believenesses in the same basket.

to protect our house, we may use several tools: dog, swan, alarm, keris, white onion, talisman, holy book, insurance et cetera :)

warm salam,
OeS

What's is the difference between "tuah pamor" and "tuah isi". Do these 2 tuahs work concurrently in guarding your self, family & properties?

What do you think about Kul Buntet pamor? Some say that it's a prevention from bad things happen to you (I think Tammens), some sort of protection maybe?

george