Semarang, the parang from Halmahera - Page 2

Mytribalworld · 27th January 2009, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hello Michael and all others,
I have one Salawaku in my collection that is very different to all others. My guess have been that it maybe originate from Ternate and come to Halmahera long time ago. I collect it in a small village nearby Tobelo and the people told me that it is a very old heirloom. The motives indicate it to Moluccas for sure. Someone have seen a shield like this before?
Regards,
Detlef

Hi Detlef,

Not that I can remember,But I think your in the good direction with Ternate.
The shields from Ternate are indeed more rectangular and has the flowermotif your shield also have. There are also brass shields from Ternate more or less in this style, here a pic....

Arjan.

Sajen · 28th January 2009, 08:00 PM

Thank you Arjan for reply,
I've also seen a similar shield in a book but can't remember in which one.
Regards,
Detlef

Maurice · 22nd October 2012, 12:32 PM

Because of the "ridges" in front of the shield from top to bottom (over the length of the shield) I would say it's made in regions were the Salawaku's were made, as they also had these kind of "ridges" sometimes (if that's the good word for it).... but this is my personal oppinion, and I have no proof for it.

But it's hard to determine the origin, as the shield on the image below was collected in 1857 at the "Tomori bay expedition" in Celebes (which looks a lot like the shield Arjan posted, but it isn't the same as it's decorated a bit different....).
According to Juynboll book part XIX, "Celebes" (1927), there still were a few of these shields in Limbotto and in the Minahassa, and were they still used in feastly parades and mirrorfights by the best warriors.

It's a bit like the copper helmets (taoboetaoes), which were found in Celebes, Moluccans and also the Philippines...
Salawaku's were also found in the north part of Celebes, as in the Molucan islands.
And also the pade like parangs were found on Celebes and around the Moluccan islands....

Limbotto

Battara · 22nd October 2012, 11:57 PM

The shield above looks like it is metal covered and repoussed. Is this the case?

Maurice · 23rd October 2012, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

The shield above looks like it is metal covered and repoussed. Is this the case?

Yes it consists of wood and copper according the museumdatabase.
Look at the (bad) picture which gives you an indication of how it looks like in real.

Battara · 23rd October 2012, 02:41 AM

Thank you Maurice. I guess this is a very rare form of this shield, right?

Maurice · 23rd October 2012, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

Thank you Maurice. I guess this is a very rare form of this shield, right?

I've never seen one in real........

Maurice · 23rd October 2012, 09:24 AM

Jose, here's another one (a better picture) in the "Volkenkundig museum Leiden" collection....

Sajen · 23rd October 2012, 11:33 PM

Thank you for posting this picture Maurice. There are indeed some affinities with my shield.

Best regards,

Detlef

Battara · 24th October 2012, 02:45 AM

Very helpful Maurice, thank you.

Gustav · 9th November 2012, 05:32 PM

I just have found a picture with these shields in "Woodbury & Page. Photographers Java". The text says:

"Militia, trumpeters and flute orchestra of the Sultan of Ternate. The uniforms these men are wearing are early ninetheenth-century European models, except for the men at right. They wear European-style cuirasses and helmets of the sixteenth or seventeenth century. However, their shields are typical of the Moluccas. These men were called ALBAHDIR, which is derived from the Portuguese and Dutch equivalents of the word halberdier."

Picture taken after 1880.

Maurice · 9th November 2012, 05:39 PM

Thanks Gustav for posting this interesting image with the same shields as discussed before!

As we look around it's amazing how we're able to find old images of people with old artifacts we never have seen before because they're that rare!

Rg,
Maurice

22nd October 2012, 12:32 PM	#33
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,346	Because of the "ridges" in front of the shield from top to bottom (over the length of the shield) I would say it's made in regions were the Salawaku's were made, as they also had these kind of "ridges" sometimes (if that's the good word for it).... but this is my personal oppinion, and I have no proof for it. But it's hard to determine the origin, as the shield on the image below was collected in 1857 at the "Tomori bay expedition" in Celebes (which looks a lot like the shield Arjan posted, but it isn't the same as it's decorated a bit different....). According to Juynboll book part XIX, "Celebes" (1927), there still were a few of these shields in Limbotto and in the Minahassa, and were they still used in feastly parades and mirrorfights by the best warriors. It's a bit like the copper helmets (taoboetaoes), which were found in Celebes, Moluccans and also the Philippines... Salawaku's were also found in the north part of Celebes, as in the Molucan islands. And also the pade like parangs were found on Celebes and around the Moluccan islands.... Limbotto Attached Images

23rd October 2012, 09:24 AM	#38
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,346	Jose, here's another one (a better picture) in the "Volkenkundig museum Leiden" collection.... Attached Images

9th November 2012, 05:32 PM	#41
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,249	I just have found a picture with these shields in "Woodbury & Page. Photographers Java". The text says: "Militia, trumpeters and flute orchestra of the Sultan of Ternate. The uniforms these men are wearing are early ninetheenth-century European models, except for the men at right. They wear European-style cuirasses and helmets of the sixteenth or seventeenth century. However, their shields are typical of the Moluccas. These men were called ALBAHDIR, which is derived from the Portuguese and Dutch equivalents of the word halberdier." Picture taken after 1880. Attached Images Last edited by Gustav; 9th November 2012 at 06:18 PM.

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28th January 2009, 08:00 PM	#32
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,781	Thank you Arjan for reply, I've also seen a similar shield in a book but can't remember in which one. Regards, Detlef

22nd October 2012, 11:57 PM	#34
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,220	The shield above looks like it is metal covered and repoussed. Is this the case?

23rd October 2012, 02:41 AM	#36
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,220	Thank you Maurice. I guess this is a very rare form of this shield, right?

23rd October 2012, 11:33 PM	#39
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,781	Thank you for posting this picture Maurice. There are indeed some affinities with my shield. Best regards, Detlef

24th October 2012, 02:45 AM	#40
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,220	Very helpful Maurice, thank you.

9th November 2012, 05:39 PM	#42
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,346	Thanks Gustav for posting this interesting image with the same shields as discussed before! As we look around it's amazing how we're able to find old images of people with old artifacts we never have seen before because they're that rare! Rg, Maurice