When is a javanese sword called a golok?
 

Hello friends,

I bought this old golok/javanese sword recently.

I wonder when it is called a golok or when it's called a javanese sword?
When I look at Zonnevelds book at page 134 because of the handle and shape of the blade it is just called a sword of West Java (a sword without a specific name which is found all over the archipelago, in this case West Java).

But I wonder if it is not a golok because javanese friends would call it a golok, although it has no bird's head or wayang figure handle (as the goloks depicted in Zonnevelds book page 48, 49).

All the javanese people I know would call it definitly a golok. :confused:

So I hope you can help me understand why this is called a golok, or just not called a golok.




Maurice

Golok vs Pedang
 

Hello Maurice,

Your's is a golok.

It is often mixed up even in Indonesia, also with term 'parang' and 'klewang/kelewang' too. In general golok featured with a shorter and wider blade than pedang (in contrary pedang is generally longer and slimmer), respectively golok has a widening part near the point (sometime significant, sometime not). I cannot find exact measurement samples, I guess we Indonesian just follow the feeling... Another thing is golok is more a tribute to West Javanese and pedang more to Central and East Javanese. But pedang is (more) a general name for Indonesian to refer sword.

Hope this help, or anyone here have different perspective?


Best,
Chandra

Hi Chandra,

I also named it a golok already.
I didn't know a golok is more a west Java thing, and a pedang a central or east Java thing!

Thanks for your information Chandra.


Maurice