Sarawak Mandau Sword or Parang #1

CharlesS · 4th July 2015, 02:22 PM

The attribution of this piece to Sarawak makes it a bit easier to identify more specifically.

Based on E. Banks' Hoplology in Sarawak, I would suggest that this is more specifically, not a mandau, but a "Suai". The curvature of the blade, and indented spine towards the tip lead me to this conclusion.

Borneo swords are not my specialty, and their identification can sometimes become rather complex, but that is my best guess here.

The "Borneo boys" on this forum have come quite a long way in identifing specific blades types from various regions of Borneo in the last few years....away from the generic "mandau" for so many Borneo blades. Perhaps they can add more here.

At any rate, it is a lovely and clearly old example. Congrats!

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4th July 2015, 02:22 PM	#2
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	The attribution of this piece to Sarawak makes it a bit easier to identify more specifically. Based on E. Banks' Hoplology in Sarawak, I would suggest that this is more specifically, not a mandau, but a "Suai". The curvature of the blade, and indented spine towards the tip lead me to this conclusion. Borneo swords are not my specialty, and their identification can sometimes become rather complex, but that is my best guess here. The "Borneo boys" on this forum have come quite a long way in identifing specific blades types from various regions of Borneo in the last few years....away from the generic "mandau" for so many Borneo blades. Perhaps they can add more here. At any rate, it is a lovely and clearly old example. Congrats!