Iban Parang with brass ferrule

[Maurice]

I really like these massive handles. Simple and no sophisticated carvings but with an overall impressive shape!

Happy holidays and healthy and good 2009!
Maurice

[VVV]

I am not 100% sure that this one is Iban but it looks like Sarawak anyway.
It seems like a great blade and scabbard as well, if you don't mind sharing?

Michael

[Maurice]

Originally Posted by VVV

I am not 100% sure that this one is Iban but it looks like Sarawak anyway.
It seems like a great blade and scabbard as well, if you don't mind sharing?

Michael

OK agree Michael, I edited the word Iban in Sarawak.
I hope because of this thread we can figure out if this is iban or not.
Enclosed some pics of the scabbard and of the blade. The blade is decorated the same on both sides.

Maurice

[Maurice]

.

[Maurice]

.

[Dajak]

Nice one Maurice I did had one with brass ferrule too .

Did buy that one from klefish some time ago must be in an catalogue off them

Scabbard looks like North Borneo .

Handle Iban .

Can I see other side off the blade it does not look like Iban


Ben

[Atlantia]

These are really not my field so I find myself a little out of my depth when reading the threads, but I just wanted to say what an attractive piece this is, and ask if there is a special significance to the groups of copper dots on the blade?


Gene

[asomotif]

Nice sword Maurice !

Good pictures too

[Maurice]

Originally Posted by Dajak

Can I see other side off the blade it does not look like Iban.

Scabbard looks like North Borneo .



Ben

Hi Ben, the other side of the blade is exactly the same decorated. So no difference!

PS what makes you think the scabbard is north Borneo? Is it the carving at the top?

Originally Posted by Atlantia

I just wanted to say what an attractive piece this is, and ask if there is a special significance to the groups of copper dots on the blade?

Hi Gene, the copper dots are common on borneo blades. I think it is just more decoration or maybe to give some spiritual strength or protection to the owner. But these kinds of dots are unlikely to be the numbers of heads that went off with it if that is what you mean.

Originally Posted by asomotif

Nice sword Maurice !
Good pictures too

Hi Willem, I will sent you the provenance of my new camera!

[Dajak]

Hi Maurice the metal bands on the scabbard and the type off scabbard mostly indicate North Borneo .

I just want to see the other side to tell if it is and Iban mandau I explain it when you overhere why .


Ben

[Maurice]

Originally Posted by Dajak

Hi Maurice the metal bands on the scabbard and the type off scabbard mostly indicate North Borneo .

I just want to see the other side to tell if it is and Iban mandau I explain it when you overhere why .


Ben

Hi Ben,

The wider bands that indeed looks like metal bands on the pictures, are in fact old horn bands. At the picture you can see how such band is fastened at the back of the scabbard.

I will try to take some pics today of the other side of the blade.

Maurice

[VVV]

Thanks for the nice pictures.
I also have one resembling yours in hilt and blade, but no scabbard.
Unfortunately the scabbard didn't help me on deciding what tribe it is.
My hunch is also along the Western part of Sarawak and maybe the border to Sabah.

Michael

[Maurice]

Originally Posted by VVV

Thanks for the nice pictures.
I also have one resembling yours in hilt and blade, but no scabbard.
Unfortunately the scabbard didn't help me on deciding what tribe it is.
My hunch is also along the Western part of Sarawak and maybe the border to Sabah.

Michael

Thanks Michael, I know which one you mean.
But the copperwindings of yours looks more patinated. Maybe mine had to much polishing in the past.

I will post the pics of the blade (both sides) in the next replying post beneath, maybe Ben can see something in it which can tell exactly what tribe it is.

Maurice

[Maurice]

Originally Posted by Dajak

I just want to see the other side to tell if it is and Iban mandau I explain it when you overhere why .

Ben

OK Ben, here pics of different parts of the blade from both sides from beginning to the tip.

[Maurice]

Other side!

[Dajak]

Yes Maurice this is Iban

And Michael is right about the north part off Sarawak


Ben

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by Maurice

Hi Gene, the copper dots are common on borneo blades. I think it is just more decoration or maybe to give some spiritual strength or protection to the owner. But these kinds of dots are unlikely to be the numbers of heads that went off with it if that is what you mean.

LOL, you know when I was a kid these invariably were labelled 'headhunters swords' but no, I meant as in some talismanic or spiritual protection.
Thanks, and its really nice!

Gene

[Maurice]

Originally Posted by Dajak

Yes Maurice this is Iban

And Michael is right about the north part off Sarawak


Ben

Thanks Ben!

Maurice

[Maurice]

Originally Posted by Atlantia

LOL, you know when I was a kid these invariably were labelled 'headhunters swords' but no, I meant as in some talismanic or spiritual protection.
Thanks, and its really nice!

Gene

Hi Gene,

There are dots which might can be referred to the number of heads taken with the sword according to some forumites. But it are definately not the dots you see here.
The dots which count the number of heads taken are more placed without a symmetric patern.
But the opinions differ about this!

Maurice

[asomotif]

Yes Maurice this is Iban

Ben,

Is it Iban because the bands (this time horn instead of metal) are bind with a small rope on the back ?

[Dajak]

[ I meant as in some talismanic or spiritual protection.
Thanks, and its really nice!

Gene[/QUOTE]


I do have one parang Ilang that have dots they use for taken heads and witchcraft symbols

Ben

[Dajak]

Originally Posted by asomotif

Ben,

Is it Iban because the bands (this time horn instead of metal) are bind with a small rope on the back ?

No not allone that.


Ben

[Maurice]

When reading through my Borneo books, I suddenly stumbled over an old photo in a National Geographic magazine of an Iban warrior which is carrying a sword with a similar "lookalike" scabbard as mine.


So maybe I nailed down the origin and call my parang from now on an Iban parang. (as far that it is not a North Borneo sword which was captured by this Iban after taking the poor Dusun dajak's head ).

[Maurice]

And here my scabbard for comparison.

[asomotif]

Nice picture ! good research !

Would like to have a real close up of those bracelets... Strange construction

Ps.:

(as far that it is not a North Borneo sword which was captured by this Iban after taking the poor Dusun dajak's head ).

It would be interesting to find also the matching Dusun head...

[Maurice]

Originally Posted by asomotif

Nice picture ! good research !

Would like to have a real close up of those bracelets... Strange construction

Thank you Willlem. Do you mean the bracelets on the fore arms or above the elbows? (I suppose you mean the one above the elbows).

Originally Posted by asomotif

Ps.:
It would be interesting to find also the matching Dusun head...

If he keeps anoying me, my supervisor's head at work will do fine!!!

[asomotif]

The ones above the elbow indeed.

BTW, Nice avatar picture.

[Maurice]

Originally Posted by asomotif

The ones above the elbow indeed.

I think it is the same construction as the bracelets worn by this dajak.

My guess would be that 1 bracelet above the elbows are in fact 3 bracelets worn next to eachother.

[Sajen]

The white ones look like they are from shell.

[asomotif]

The white ones look like they are from shell.

Yep, the white parts will be shell.
And probably Maurice is right and above and below are separate bracelets made form rattan or something similar.