Did Minangkabu have swords? What were they?

KuKulzA28 · 18th June 2012, 07:28 PM

Me and a buddy were discussing this recently.

I have been thinking... Harimau Silat styles rarely exhibit longer blades... the longest usually a short golok - otherwise it's extremely close range fighting, without or without knives. I have heard of blades from Palembang, Bengkulu, and the lowlands, Batak blades, and Acehnese swords... but never Minang. The only blades I have heard of as being Minang are their styles of keris, siraui, sewar, tumbuk lada, etc. All short range fighting knifes / daggers.

Of course "traditional" warfare involved spears and matchlocks too...

Were there swords/pedang that can be specifically attributed to the Minang?

Or were they very general golok-like designs?
Or imported designs from West Java, or the Acehnese?

I thought that, a culture with such a notorious fighting prowess would have it's distinct weaponry too...

Anyone can help a curious forum-mate out?

18th June 2012, 07:28 PM	#1
KuKulzA28 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: between work and sleep Posts: 731	Did Minangkabu have swords? What were they? Me and a buddy were discussing this recently. I have been thinking... Harimau Silat styles rarely exhibit longer blades... the longest usually a short golok - otherwise it's extremely close range fighting, without or without knives. I have heard of blades from Palembang, Bengkulu, and the lowlands, Batak blades, and Acehnese swords... but never Minang. The only blades I have heard of as being Minang are their styles of keris, siraui, sewar, tumbuk lada, etc. All short range fighting knifes / daggers. Of course "traditional" warfare involved spears and matchlocks too... Were there swords/pedang that can be specifically attributed to the Minang? Or were they very general golok-like designs? Or imported designs from West Java, or the Acehnese? I thought that, a culture with such a notorious fighting prowess would have it's distinct weaponry too... Anyone can help a curious forum-mate out?