Indonesian Riddle - Who knows what this is?

[erikscollectables]

I just acquired this Indonesian piece.
I am quite certain (well I was not there..) that the inscriptions are old and not as many recently added.

I do not know from which region this piece originates.

The blade hints at Borneo?

The inscriptions look like the could be even Bali (like the ceremonial axes).

The handle although very old and patinated and part of this piece for a very long time but might not be original to the piece in my opinion.

I have already asked help from a forumite with the translation of the text What I know from him so far is it contains "the usual islamic declaration of faith "Laillaha illah muhamadar rasullullah" - There is no god but Allah, Muhamad is His messenger and the words "Allah" repeated several times. The rest are mainly talismanic writings that contain "wafak" or arabic alphabets / numerical configuration that I could not decipher.

Additional input of course is welcome.

Regards, Erik

[ThePepperSkull]

could we get a closer look at the hilt? What's it made of? Horn? wood?

[erikscollectables]

Originally Posted by ThePepperSkull

could we get a closer look at the hilt? What's it made of? Horn? wood?

It is wood - will make picture in daylight tomorrow and ad it.
Will also make some pics of the top that has also inscriptions and the front top that has been formed around the round inlays at the front

Regards, Erik

[erikscollectables]

Here some detail from one side

[erikscollectables]

one detail of the other side

[fearn]

Hi Erik,

Neat blade! Someone really wanted magic in their sword, given all that talismanic writing they etched into it.

I have my guesses, but I'll let the Indonesian guys make a definitive diagnosis. It would be an unusual item for Bali. Most (but not all) of the script and symbolism on the side is Arabic, which suggests strongly that it came from a Muslim island. Bali is Hindu.

Best,

F

[erikscollectables]

Originally Posted by fearn

Hi Erik,

Neat blade! Someone really wanted magic in their sword, given all that talismanic writing they etched into it.

I have my guesses, but I'll let the Indonesian guys make a definitive diagnosis. It would be an unusual item for Bali. Most (but not all) of the script and symbolism on the side is Arabic, which suggests strongly that it came from a Muslim island. Bali is Hindu.

Best,

F

Totally agree with the Bali remark - I was directing at the decorations in between only. Just added to the first post a translation I received from another forumite.

Regards, Erik

[Sajen]

Hello Erik,

the blade look from the shape like a Mandau blade, but only from the shape. There is no concave/convex at the blade. Anyway, my guess that this is a Borneo blade. Maybe a Banjarmasin sword? It is also possible that the golden and silverinlays from different times, the golden inlays seems to be hindu, see the hindu cross.
Let us see what the experts will tell. BTW, very interesting and nice blade!

sajen

[Mytribalworld]

sorry

[asomotif]

Hello Erik,

Would like a complete picture of the parang if possible....

It is a picture that I "boroughed" somewhere on the web.
Found via Google.
It is a parang nabur, but no use to put the full picture here.

As for the square, may I quote Michael Marlow / VVV from this thread :
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...t=parang+nabur

:

The square is quite common on Malay weapons from south Borneo.
Yours is related to the Islamic magic square, wafq, where the numeric value of the arabic letters in all directions are the same.
This value represents a "hidden" name. Like the most common one is the Buduh (3 x 3) also known as Adam's seal.
The 4 x 4 is Plato's seal etc...
There is a lot of symbolism within the squares and by itself it also has baraka, "the Force".

[erikscollectables]

Here some more photo's.
Top with inscriptions top of the point with very nice workmanship.
Handle and blade going into the handle.

Based on the info sofar I think the handle is original to the blade (mainly based on the other example shown and the info from Arjan (Mandaukudi))

Blade looks like it has seen some use but not intensely.

The blade has several islamic texts and extensive wafak/wafq that is talismanic in meaning. The reason for the hindu decorations in combination with the islamic parts is still unclear to me. (Wafq was unkown to me so Asomotif thanks for the hint to the earlier discussion here with VVV)

Thanks for all the reactions so far, Erik

[Dom]

Hi Gentlemen
some answers before attemp of translation (on way)
1) the mentions are in arabic, and shows an unity of engraver
2) no date, no name only religious proclamations
2) the "magic squares" aren't strange, even sometimes associated with symbols, it's covers e.i.
- a shirt to protect the warrior during a battle, (pic joined)
- magical bowls called also healthy, or medical bowls (pics upon request)
- back-pages of the Holy Quran (old hand-writting) (pics upon request), etc..
those 2 last are from my personal collections

à +

Dom

[erikscollectables]

Hi Dom,

Thanks so far for the input and I look forward to your translation!

Regards, Erik

Originally Posted by Dom

Hi Gentlemen
some answers before attemp of translation (on way)
1) the mentions are in arabic, and shows an unity of engraver
2) no date, no name only religious proclamations
2) the "magic squares" aren't strange, even sometimes associated with symbols, it's covers e.i.
- a shirt to protect the warrior during a battle, (pic joined)
- magical bowls called also healthy, or medical bowls (pics upon request)
- back-pages of the Holy Quran (old hand-writting) (pics upon request), etc..
those 2 last are from my personal collections

à +

Dom

[Dom]

Hi Erik
sorry, I have been long to delivre ....

has many pic's to don't mix every thing, one email per pic and translation

the easiest one ...

either "illegible" or magic squares, and designs

à +

Dom