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Originally Posted by josh stout
Now for some questions about less conclusive evidence: What is the name of these swords? I think they are called piso panjang or long knife. Is there a shorter version? Could there have once been one? The utility knives found throughout China, Mongolia, and Tibet as well as the tanto of Japan all look like short versions of the piso panjang. The knife blade form is just as old as the saber version if not older.
So yes, I am wildly speculating, but I think it is still in the region where the ideas are at least theoretically verifiable, even if practically they never are.
Josh
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Good Questions and I can only contribute a bit to the answers. I am sure others can add more
The names vary a great deal, as Kai pointed out there are a great many ethnic groups ( Aceh, Gayo, Alas, Batak, Tamiang, Aneuk Jamee, Kluet, Simeulue to name a few) in this area and most have a name for this sword. Sikin Panjang is the most common seen in western liturature on these swords. Sikin Panjang translates to Long Sikin or sometimes long knife. Sikin is sometimes spelled Sekin or Sikim or Sikkin. Panjang is sometimes spelled pandjang. But it is also called a Peudeung panjang, Thikin Panjang, Andar , Naru, Narumo, Gloepak Sikin, Gluepak Sikin, Loedjoe Aceh (Atjeh) and one dutch sorce had them listed as Sikin aus Gajo Luos. There may be others I do not know of. There is a shorter version of this sword called a Sikin Alang ( Loejoe Alang , Ludjoe or Ludju Alang). A similar blade shape is seen on a couple of knives from the area the sikin lapan sagu ( luju lapan sagi, piso lapan sagi, loedjoe lapan sagi) and the Lopah Petawaran ( Tombolata, Tordjong ).
As a side note glancing through Von Zonneveld's boot there are similar blades on 2 of the Balato's on page 29. this could be from the Aceh association with the Nias or not .
A good overview of Ancient Aceh acheological sites can be found here
http://www.ari.nus.edu.sg/docs%5CAce...nielperret.pdf