[David]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Yes, a keris hilt can also indicate status, as can any number of other dress indicators, body language indicators, or language indicators, but there is nothing like the constant presence of one's personal shrine to remind a man who he is and what his position is. The necessity was to control the man who wore the keris, not to indicate that man's status to others. By inclusion of religious iconography the keris became a personal shrine.

Thank you Alan, this is revelatory...you have taken information i have been aware of an presented it in a way i had never quite considered.