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Originally Posted by VVV
Javanese vs Malay is interesting but according to Stone Panguku is a local (Sulawesi Bugis) name of the hilt. I guess they have other dialects?
But probably influenced by Javanese, or?
Michael
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Michael, in Stone's, I only found Pangulu. A kris hilt, Celebes (Arc. f. Eth. XVIII, 65) on Pg:481. I guess that's what you're referring to. In general, there are terms which spelling are not the same but when it is pronounced, sounds the same. (Eg: pendoko/pendokok/pendongko/pendongkok). Dialects do play a part in the pronunciation.
Up to the 16th and 17th centuries before the arrival of the Europeans, the Sulawesi southern peninsula was divided into several large kingdoms, occupying roughly the same areas as the modern
kabupaten (regencies) which today bear their names. These kingdoms consists of a number of chiefdoms, each with its own ruler and territory, loosely united round a central "king". The king ruled directly only his own chiefdoms; the rest of the territory was administered by his chiefs, (an arrangement which at times must have severely limited his power).
Imo, these chieftain keris may be worn as a mark/symbol of office/authority. The same way keris panjang is to the rajas and sultans.