Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

David · 28th July 2009, 06:36 PM

Hi Silkreeler. Don't know if you are still out there, but if so then welcome to the forum. I was away for the week and only just now have i seen your post.
I am just a little bit surprised that after a very brief conversation with just one of our many members you are already giving up and off to "find your answers elsewhere". I personally have a great deal of respect for Alan and his opinions, though i must point out that our membership here is rather large and there are many Indonesian members as well as Westerners to comment and/or advise. If you are looking for East-meets-West solutions i can think of no better place to find them. However, patience is a virtue that is often rewarded around here.

Personally i use scented oils with a mineral oil (medicinal paraffin) base. Like you i also use incense in a ritual way. I do understand and in many ways agree with Alan's comments in regards to using specific rituals outside of the context of specific belief system. All i can say in regards to that is that i have my own belief system which is not the same as the one in which menyan is a part, but that the practice of using incense on keris is very much in line with my own personal practices and beliefs. I do not follow the same calendar for the timing of this practice as i am not a Muslim. From my perspective what is important is that whatever rituals one uses they must have some meaning and personal connection for you or they are merely empty practices with no power whatsoever.
I have not found the need to remove previous oil from the blades before applying new oil. I generally oil monthly.
Silkreeler, only you can decide what the right practices for the keeping of your keris must be. Obviously you have an Indonesian source of information from "your guys", but keep in mind that even in a tradition cultural context you are likely to find a great variant of information of what is or is not proper in the care and treatment of keris from knowledgeable people who live within the culture. I don't say this to imply that your sources could be "wrong", only to suggest that there might be alternative "right" methods as well. But ultimately only you can decide what feels right and is appropriate for you keris needs.

28th July 2009, 06:36 PM	#8
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	Hi Silkreeler. Don't know if you are still out there, but if so then welcome to the forum. I was away for the week and only just now have i seen your post. I am just a little bit surprised that after a very brief conversation with just one of our many members you are already giving up and off to "find your answers elsewhere". I personally have a great deal of respect for Alan and his opinions, though i must point out that our membership here is rather large and there are many Indonesian members as well as Westerners to comment and/or advise. If you are looking for East-meets-West solutions i can think of no better place to find them. However, patience is a virtue that is often rewarded around here. Personally i use scented oils with a mineral oil (medicinal paraffin) base. Like you i also use incense in a ritual way. I do understand and in many ways agree with Alan's comments in regards to using specific rituals outside of the context of specific belief system. All i can say in regards to that is that i have my own belief system which is not the same as the one in which menyan is a part, but that the practice of using incense on keris is very much in line with my own personal practices and beliefs. I do not follow the same calendar for the timing of this practice as i am not a Muslim. From my perspective what is important is that whatever rituals one uses they must have some meaning and personal connection for you or they are merely empty practices with no power whatsoever. I have not found the need to remove previous oil from the blades before applying new oil. I generally oil monthly. Silkreeler, only you can decide what the right practices for the keeping of your keris must be. Obviously you have an Indonesian source of information from "your guys", but keep in mind that even in a tradition cultural context you are likely to find a great variant of information of what is or is not proper in the care and treatment of keris from knowledgeable people who live within the culture. I don't say this to imply that your sources could be "wrong", only to suggest that there might be alternative "right" methods as well. But ultimately only you can decide what feels right and is appropriate for you keris needs.