Mandau ID

dstockbridge · 15th April 2015, 09:45 AM

Hi just wanting to find out about my Mandau which I got several years ago. First any idea where in Borneo it is from. Which tribe and perhaps an idea as to how old it maybe.

Dajak · 17th April 2015, 11:56 PM

Hi it is an nice old mandau probaly kenjah/kayan

Ben

dstockbridge · 18th April 2015, 01:41 AM

Cheers Ben I will start having a look at Kayan types. Thanks for the reply.

VANDOO · 18th April 2015, 04:48 PM

THE MANDAU IS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE, THE BEE'S WAX FERULE AND GRIP WRAP IN GOOD SHAPE AND A NICELY CARVED WOOD HANDLE. THE BLADE LOOKS LIKE A GOOD HEAVY ONE MADE FOR USE NOT A THIN DECORATIVE ONE. ITS TOO BAD THE SCABBARD AND SMALL KNIFE IS MISSING AS A LOT CAN BE TOLD FROM LOOKING AT THEM. IT DOESENT APPEAR TO HAVE SEEN HEAVY USE SO WAS LIKELY SOLD TO A TRADER AND SOLD FROM A SHOP OR PERHAPS TRADED FOR BY A TRAVELLER. HOW IT LOST ITS SCABBARD WOULD BE ANOTHER STORY. PERHAPS THE SCABBARD GREMLINS GOT IT.

dstockbridge · 19th April 2015, 01:35 AM

Cheers Vandoo. Yes it is very heavy and I think it was for everyday use, in Bahasa Indonesian a Mandau biasa and not for upacara. I was at an auction several years ago and no one wanted it because of the lack of a scabbard, but I still liked the look of it. On a separate note I went to a Gawai Antu in Sarawak in 1992 and spent several nights in an Iban longhouse during the spirit festival - invited by a neighbour of a friend in Kuching (invite only not for tourists). I have some photos of the ceremonies, is this something the forum members would be interested in looking at? These people were incredibly hospitable and friendly, a special life memory for me.

asomotif · 19th April 2015, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dstockbridge

I have some photos of the ceremonies, is this something the forum members would be interested in looking at? These people were incredibly hospitable and friendly, a special life memory for me.

I would love to see pictures of the Gawai antu.

Best regards,
Willem

15th April 2015, 09:45 AM	#1
dstockbridge Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Perth Western Australia Posts: 10	Mandau ID Hi just wanting to find out about my Mandau which I got several years ago. First any idea where in Borneo it is from. Which tribe and perhaps an idea as to how old it maybe. Attached Images

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17th April 2015, 11:56 PM	#2
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	Hi it is an nice old mandau probaly kenjah/kayan Ben

18th April 2015, 01:41 AM	#3
dstockbridge Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Perth Western Australia Posts: 10	Cheers Ben I will start having a look at Kayan types. Thanks for the reply.

18th April 2015, 04:48 PM	#4
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	THE MANDAU IS IN EXCELLENT SHAPE, THE BEE'S WAX FERULE AND GRIP WRAP IN GOOD SHAPE AND A NICELY CARVED WOOD HANDLE. THE BLADE LOOKS LIKE A GOOD HEAVY ONE MADE FOR USE NOT A THIN DECORATIVE ONE. ITS TOO BAD THE SCABBARD AND SMALL KNIFE IS MISSING AS A LOT CAN BE TOLD FROM LOOKING AT THEM. IT DOESENT APPEAR TO HAVE SEEN HEAVY USE SO WAS LIKELY SOLD TO A TRADER AND SOLD FROM A SHOP OR PERHAPS TRADED FOR BY A TRAVELLER. HOW IT LOST ITS SCABBARD WOULD BE ANOTHER STORY. PERHAPS THE SCABBARD GREMLINS GOT IT.

19th April 2015, 01:35 AM	#5
dstockbridge Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Perth Western Australia Posts: 10	Cheers Vandoo. Yes it is very heavy and I think it was for everyday use, in Bahasa Indonesian a Mandau biasa and not for upacara. I was at an auction several years ago and no one wanted it because of the lack of a scabbard, but I still liked the look of it. On a separate note I went to a Gawai Antu in Sarawak in 1992 and spent several nights in an Iban longhouse during the spirit festival - invited by a neighbour of a friend in Kuching (invite only not for tourists). I have some photos of the ceremonies, is this something the forum members would be interested in looking at? These people were incredibly hospitable and friendly, a special life memory for me.