What is the relationship between a keris and its hilt in the ancient culture?

David · 27th December 2010, 01:55 PM

Interesting questions Neo. I have no conclusive evidence on this subject either, though in spite of the use of the word hulu (head) to describe the keris hilt i am not so sure that the character of the hilt rules or directs the attributes of the blade so directly.
The hilt is the public face of the keris though. When a keris was worn in public the blades were not made visible to others on most occasions. I fearsome face on a hilt was most probably meant to keep negative forces away from the keris and it's owner, not a reflection of the nature of that particular keris.

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27th December 2010, 01:55 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	Interesting questions Neo. I have no conclusive evidence on this subject either, though in spite of the use of the word hulu (head) to describe the keris hilt i am not so sure that the character of the hilt rules or directs the attributes of the blade so directly. The hilt is the public face of the keris though. When a keris was worn in public the blades were not made visible to others on most occasions. I fearsome face on a hilt was most probably meant to keep negative forces away from the keris and it's owner, not a reflection of the nature of that particular keris.