Symbolism of Bali Cecekahan handle?

erikscollectables · 27th July 2009, 09:00 AM

Atlhough my interest in krisses is broad I never included Bali in my collection. Now I have by accident a Bali cecekahan hilt that came from a friend.To my surprise I do like it a lot.

I would like to learn more about the symbolism of this hilt. Who has more info on this? Reading throug the books I have I found very little.

Type of the hilt used by lower classes - maybe specifically by warriors - is about all. Nothing about the decorations - notches on the back etc.

And those of you who have nice variatons on this cecekahan hilt please do share here!

Regards, Erik

Sajen · 27th July 2009, 05:00 PM

Hi Erik,

in my collection I have only the style you have. The handles with more notches seems to be very rare, I've seen only a few and I look already long time for a one with more notches. Here two examples from my collection.

Regards,

sajen

asomotif · 27th July 2009, 11:46 PM

Hi Erik,

There was almost a "frenzy" on that hilt.
Nice one.

Here 2 examples I have at this moment.

A. G. Maisey · 28th July 2009, 12:13 AM

Plus one, and something a little different.

A. G. Maisey · 28th July 2009, 05:20 AM

Here's another couple I could put my hands on. I've got a few more around somewhere, but they're on kerises I think, and too difficult to find.

Actually the name of this hilt form is "cekah solas" :- cekah = a thick slice; solas = eleven (Balinese).

The strict form of the hilt has eleven cuts, five on each side, and one in its front. Also called cekah redut --- don't know what "redut" means.

In the old days they were considered to be a hilt for soldier, or a pendekar.

ganjawulung · 28th July 2009, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erikscollectables

I would like to learn more about the symbolism of this hilt. Who has more info on this? Reading throug the books I have I found very little.

Dear Erik,
IMHO one of the complete book on Bali and Lombok Kerises is Ir Lalu Djelenga's book, "Keris di Lombok" (1994, 2000). It is interesting to read on this special "danda" or "danganan" (keris hilt), usually used by (Balinese and Lombokese) soldiers, selected soldiers with very special ability named "Pemating". A commando type of soldiers, which usually they are 'invulnerable' to weapons.

The normal "cekahan" hilt, usually has "eleven notches" ("solas takikan" in Lombokese dialect). That is why, this type of hilt usually named as "Cekah Solas" danganan, or Cekah Solas hilt, or just say it in universal words as "eleven notches hilt"... ("solas" in javanese language is "sewelas", or eleven in English)

The form of this hilt almost similar with "Bondolan" type (please see the comparison from my collection below), an ordinary type of Balinese of Lombokese hilt. The difference only lies on the "takikan" (notches) in the grip-side.

The normal notches are eleven -- please count: five on each plain side, and one notch on the front side (please see the picture). If more than eleven notches, then it will be called as "Cekah Redut". Unordinary cekahan...

This type of hilt (also bondolan type) -- according to Mr Djelenga -- now maybe use for any type of Balinese or Lombokese warangka, whether it is a gayaman, ladrang or even "jamprahan" (special warangka for pedanda or Hindhu priest)...

GANJAWULUNG

ganjawulung · 28th July 2009, 10:22 PM

Similar to Alan's "more than eleven notches" hilt -- I count at least 98 "takikan" (notches) in one hilt. Is it cekah redut?

GANJAWULUNG

David · 29th July 2009, 12:51 AM

I have 2 of these hilts and i have noticed that on mine as well as Erik's and a few others there is also 5 lines notched into the back of the "head" of the hilt. Does anyone here have a clue as to the symbolism of these notches?

A. G. Maisey · 29th July 2009, 01:12 AM

Here's another one.

This used to belong to me, but it has moved house. The new owner has kindly permitted its publication here.

erikscollectables · 29th July 2009, 02:46 PM

Exactly one of my questions too.
Will start travelling now so only join the forum again after the holidays but hope to learn more then...

Regards, Erik

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

I have 2 of these hilts and i have noticed that on mine as well as Erik's and a few others there is also 5 lines notched into the back of the "head" of the hilt. Does anyone here have a clue as to the symbolism of these notches?

Marcokeris · 29th July 2009, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erikscollectables

Exactly one of my questions too.
Will start travelling now so only join the forum again after the holidays but hope to learn more then...

Regards, Erik

In Jensen's KRISDISK you can learn more

Jussi M. · 4th March 2011, 12:07 AM

Classic?

Thanks,

J.

gwirya · 4th March 2011, 10:44 AM

To all Bali and Lombok keris lover, I've got a sad news from a friend in Lombok. Ir H. Lalu Djelenga, the author of book, "Keris di Lombok" (1994, 2000)already passed away on January, 26 2011 @ 15:43 WITA. May He rest in peace.

27th July 2009, 09:00 AM	#1
erikscollectables Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 318	Symbolism of Bali Cecekahan handle? Atlhough my interest in krisses is broad I never included Bali in my collection. Now I have by accident a Bali cecekahan hilt that came from a friend.To my surprise I do like it a lot. I would like to learn more about the symbolism of this hilt. Who has more info on this? Reading throug the books I have I found very little. Type of the hilt used by lower classes - maybe specifically by warriors - is about all. Nothing about the decorations - notches on the back etc. And those of you who have nice variatons on this cecekahan hilt please do share here! Regards, Erik Attached Images Last edited by erikscollectables; 27th July 2009 at 10:21 AM.

27th July 2009, 05:00 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,781	Hi Erik, in my collection I have only the style you have. The handles with more notches seems to be very rare, I've seen only a few and I look already long time for a one with more notches. Here two examples from my collection. Regards, sajen Attached Images

27th July 2009, 11:46 PM	#3
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,225	Hi Erik, There was almost a "frenzy" on that hilt. Nice one. Here 2 examples I have at this moment. Attached Images

28th July 2009, 12:13 AM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,892	Plus one, and something a little different. Attached Images

28th July 2009, 05:20 AM	#5
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,892	Here's another couple I could put my hands on. I've got a few more around somewhere, but they're on kerises I think, and too difficult to find. Actually the name of this hilt form is "cekah solas" :- cekah = a thick slice; solas = eleven (Balinese). The strict form of the hilt has eleven cuts, five on each side, and one in its front. Also called cekah redut --- don't know what "redut" means. In the old days they were considered to be a hilt for soldier, or a pendekar. Attached Images Last edited by A. G. Maisey; 28th July 2009 at 09:47 AM.

28th July 2009, 10:22 PM	#7
ganjawulung Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: J a k a r t a Posts: 991	CEKAH Redut? Similar to Alan's "more than eleven notches" hilt -- I count at least 98 "takikan" (notches) in one hilt. Is it cekah redut? GANJAWULUNG Attached Images

29th July 2009, 12:51 AM	#8
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,123	I have 2 of these hilts and i have noticed that on mine as well as Erik's and a few others there is also 5 lines notched into the back of the "head" of the hilt. Does anyone here have a clue as to the symbolism of these notches?

29th July 2009, 01:12 AM	#9
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,892	Here's another one. This used to belong to me, but it has moved house. The new owner has kindly permitted its publication here. Attached Images

4th March 2011, 12:07 AM	#12
Jussi M. Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 235	Classic? Thanks, J.

4th March 2011, 10:44 AM	#13
gwirya Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 15	To all Bali and Lombok keris lover, I've got a sad news from a friend in Lombok. Ir H. Lalu Djelenga, the author of book, "Keris di Lombok" (1994, 2000)already passed away on January, 26 2011 @ 15:43 WITA. May He rest in peace.