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

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.