Possible mystery - first clue

[A. G. Maisey]

Yes Ian, you're right:- there needs to be a common language, and if that common language includes words from a foreign language, it probably doesn't matter.

Provided that collectors as a whole recognise that the names they use for these ethnographic things are their own names, not necessarily the names that are used in the societies of origin of the things so named.

With keris its a pretty similar thing. When Ensiklopedi (second edition) came out many people commented that a lot of the names used for various things included in the work were very puzzling and probably incorrect, but the book did provide terms of reference that everybody could use to communicate.

I personally like the idea of naming weaponry with an alpha-numeric system. Maybe a latter day Stone will do that some day.

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Re the Kabui dao.

My Rawson is a 1969, ARCO, New York edition.

Plate 36 has the Kabui dao shown, but it is nothing like Dave's thing.

[Jim McDougall]

While I do not have anything to add to the topic here, as arms from these categories are far outside my usual fields of study, I just wanted to say how impressive this thread is!

Though the initial post began with a somewhat negatively postured query, the responses and discussion has proven extremely informative for those of us not particularly well versed in these arms. Most impressive to me are the detailed and well texted posts complete with cited references and notes to comparative examples .
Above all, even conflicting observations or errors are pointed out with completely gentlemanly discourse and response, thus constructively enhancing the discourse rather than distracting it.

It is wonderful to see interaction with great knowledge and expertise being shared here, and a textbook example of what our forums are intended to be.

Thank you so much gentlemen,
Jim