Mandau Sanaman Mantikei mix with Djangkarang

Cakszz · 12th July 2013, 05:17 PM

Hi gents,
I am newbi.. I am originally Dayak from Central Kalimantan (Dayak Ngaju). For admin thanks for accepting me in this forum.. I found so much valuable information about tribal weaponry, particularly Mandau. And I am just collecting several mandau for myself. My great grandfather used to be known as blacksmith of Mandau, yet, none of his descendants now inherit his skills.
In central Kalimantan, the famous materials of Mandau only come from 2 kinds of stone:

1. Sanaman Mantikei (Stone of Mantikei)
Normally Mandau made from this kind of stone never has smooth shape, seems like pitted but it’s not. This Mandau can be bent, normally by rub it with “daun sirih” (you may believe it or not but I’ve seen it). This kind of Mandau cannot be used to cut soft object such banana trees as it will be bent, but if it used to cut hard object it will cut.

2. Sanaman Lampang (floating stone)
This is very oddand very rare people have it nowadays. This kind of metal can float on water. I personally have not seen it, but my grandfather had seen it. According to the legend this stone was stolen/given from spiritual world. Our late governor Tjilik Riwut has one of Sanaman Lampang Mandau and now is kept in capitol building.

According to my grandfather story, back in times, when blacksmith wanted to forge Mandau, he will sing ‘karungut’ – a traditional song from Dayak Ngaju.

I have a collection from a mixing from Sanaman Mantikei and Sanaman Djangkarang. Sanaman Djangkarang is not as famous the other two materials. But this is also from a stone, could be found in Barito or Katingan area. This type of Mandau is not bendable as Mantikei.

IMG_3028.JPG

RhysMichael · 12th July 2013, 10:13 PM

Welcome to the forum.

Cakszz · 13th July 2013, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RhysMichael

Welcome to the forum.

Thanks...

kai · 12th July 2013, 11:41 PM

Hello, welcome to the forum!

Quote:

I am originally Dayak from Central Kalimantan (Dayak Ngaju).

That's exciting to have someone from an originating culture here!

Quote:

My great grandfather used to be known as blacksmith of Mandau, yet, none of his descendants now inherit his skills.

Are there possibly any other traditional bladesmiths that you could contact and who might pass on info before it goes extinct?

Quote:

In central Kalimantan, the famous materials of Mandau only come from 2 kinds of stone:

If you could obtain samples and pics of these 2 as well as other ores utilized for making iron/steel and forging mandau that would be terrific!

Is one of these sources "iron sand" from rivers?

Quote:

According to my grandfather story, back in times, when blacksmith wanted to forge Mandau, he will sing ‘karungut’ – a traditional song from Dayak Ngaju.

Any chance to get a translation of this song?

Sorry for so many questions/requests but I am sure the specialized mandau collectors will be thrilled to have you on our forum!

Let us know if we can help your quest with pics from our pieces or other other info.

Regards,
Kai

Cakszz · 13th July 2013, 03:20 AM

Quote:

Hello, welcome to the forum!

Yes thanks

Quote:

That's exciting to have someone from an originating culture here!

I thought mostly dayak ini this forum..

Quote:

Are there possibly any other traditional bladesmiths that you could contact and who might pass on info before it goes extinct?

Yes there ara some.. that live in the upriver in Katingan and Kahayan.. and mostly good mandau come from this area..

Quote:

If you could obtain samples and pics of these 2 as well as other ores utilized for making iron/steel and forging mandau that would be terrific!

Is one of these sources "iron sand" from rivers?

I have the pic of raw mantikei and the mandau of mantikei.. but I need to ask the owner 1st whether he allow me to share it or not.. you will see how it bent by only rub it with "daun sirih"

Quote:

Any chance to get a translation of this song?

No... i dont.. they sing not in normal dayak language.. but "bahasa sangeng/ bahasa sangiang/ bahasa dewa" its kind of language that only can be understand by the basir (dayak priest).. in Kaharingan religion (original religion of Dayak).. in every ritual "balian" they will sing or pray in this language.. I can understand some words.. but not all.. if you like to see the ritual, come to central borneo if there is Tiwah ritual.. Tiwah is such a burrial ritual..

Quote:

Sorry for so many questions/requests but I am sure the specialized mandau collectors will be thrilled to have you on our forum!

Let us know if we can help your quest with pics from our pieces or other other info.

Regards,
Kai

hehe yes its oke...

Cakszz · 13th July 2013, 03:32 AM

I have the the pic of raw mantikei

IMG_3098.JPG

This mantikei is beeing cooked
IMG_3099.JPG

This is Mantikei mandau:
IMG_3100.JPG

This mandau was bent only by rubing it with "daun sirih" - betel
kd.jpg

Battara · 13th July 2013, 03:54 AM

Welcome to our little forum. Glad we could be of some help to you, and hopefully you will be willing to add to our knowledge here.

Cakszz · 13th July 2013, 04:20 AM

why my reply is not appear? is that taking long time or need admin approval?

VVV · 13th July 2013, 10:08 AM

Welcome to the forum Cakszz,

I have never seen the raw mantikei material before, thanks for sharing.
Is daun sirih (betel leaf) also used during the forging process of the mandau mantikei?

Michael

David · 13th July 2013, 03:15 PM

Welcome to the forum Cakszz. This is all very interesting, but would you be able to explain why someone would want to bend a blade like this in the first place? I don't see the purpose of the exercise as it would seem to render the blade useless.

Cakszz · 13th July 2013, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VVV

Welcome to the forum Cakszz,

I have never seen the raw mantikei material before, thanks for sharing.
Is daun sirih (betel leaf) also used during the forging process of the mandau mantikei?

Michael

Its not used during the forging.. I dont know why if mandau mantikei is rubbed by betel leaf the metal will be soft and can be bent but can be straighten again... Yet it still strong and sharp to cut a nail for example

kai · 13th July 2013, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cakszz

why my reply is not appear? is that taking long time or need admin approval?

Thanks for all your answers!

Yes, posts of new members need moderators' approval. This is a bit annoying since the discussion moves on while your replies only show up later and may even get overlooked if a thread is really busy. Please bear with us though since this also helps to protect the forum. After a while you'll get freed out off this quarantine mode - maybe contact a mod when you believe you've proven yourself...

Regards,
Kai

12th July 2013, 05:17 PM	#1
Cakszz Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Balikpapan, Indonesia Posts: 31	Mandau Sanaman Mantikei mix with Djangkarang Hi gents, I am newbi.. I am originally Dayak from Central Kalimantan (Dayak Ngaju). For admin thanks for accepting me in this forum.. I found so much valuable information about tribal weaponry, particularly Mandau. And I am just collecting several mandau for myself. My great grandfather used to be known as blacksmith of Mandau, yet, none of his descendants now inherit his skills. In central Kalimantan, the famous materials of Mandau only come from 2 kinds of stone: 1. Sanaman Mantikei (Stone of Mantikei) Normally Mandau made from this kind of stone never has smooth shape, seems like pitted but it’s not. This Mandau can be bent, normally by rub it with “daun sirih” (you may believe it or not but I’ve seen it). This kind of Mandau cannot be used to cut soft object such banana trees as it will be bent, but if it used to cut hard object it will cut. 2. Sanaman Lampang (floating stone) This is very oddand very rare people have it nowadays. This kind of metal can float on water. I personally have not seen it, but my grandfather had seen it. According to the legend this stone was stolen/given from spiritual world. Our late governor Tjilik Riwut has one of Sanaman Lampang Mandau and now is kept in capitol building. According to my grandfather story, back in times, when blacksmith wanted to forge Mandau, he will sing ‘karungut’ – a traditional song from Dayak Ngaju. I have a collection from a mixing from Sanaman Mantikei and Sanaman Djangkarang. Sanaman Djangkarang is not as famous the other two materials. But this is also from a stone, could be found in Barito or Katingan area. This type of Mandau is not bendable as Mantikei. IMG_3028.JPG Attached Images

13th July 2013, 03:32 AM	#6
Cakszz Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Balikpapan, Indonesia Posts: 31	I have the the pic of raw mantikei IMG_3098.JPG This mantikei is beeing cooked IMG_3099.JPG This is Mantikei mandau: IMG_3100.JPG This mandau was bent only by rubing it with "daun sirih" - betel kd.jpg Attached Images

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12th July 2013, 10:13 PM	#2
RhysMichael Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 520	Welcome to the forum.

13th July 2013, 03:54 AM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,342	Welcome to our little forum. Glad we could be of some help to you, and hopefully you will be willing to add to our knowledge here.

13th July 2013, 04:20 AM	#8
Cakszz Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Balikpapan, Indonesia Posts: 31	why my reply is not appear? is that taking long time or need admin approval?

13th July 2013, 10:08 AM	#9
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Welcome to the forum Cakszz, I have never seen the raw mantikei material before, thanks for sharing. Is daun sirih (betel leaf) also used during the forging process of the mandau mantikei? Michael

13th July 2013, 03:15 PM	#10
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,250	Welcome to the forum Cakszz. This is all very interesting, but would you be able to explain why someone would want to bend a blade like this in the first place? I don't see the purpose of the exercise as it would seem to render the blade useless.