Putting together a museum exhibit linking Java keris to Philippine kris

tom hyle · 25th June 2010, 02:56 PM

In addition to the iron ganga many kris (non-sundang) have a second, nonferous, round, drawn-on bolster that sits around the tang above the blade, below the handle (swords are spoken of in the "West" traditionally as if being worn; the point is the bottom; the pommel is the top) This ring is often jewelled and AFAIK its purpose is jewelry.

tom hyle · 25th June 2010, 02:58 PM

kris may be held by pinching the blade, and many have grooves for the fingers to engage. The kris becomes your finger, so to speak.

tom hyle · 25th June 2010, 03:00 PM

Please don't use the word malice. Death and War are mighty fine Gods. They are not about malice.

tom hyle · 25th June 2010, 03:02 PM

Is this the right forum? I think so, but can this thread by on the kris forum, too?

Bill M · 25th June 2010, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom hyle

Please don't use the word malice. Death and War are mighty fine Gods. They are not about malice.

The Curator and Executive Director like the title, but it is my decision. What would you suggest as a better overall title. I like "Elegance" but am very open.

BTW I am certainly fine with the Mods moving this thread to the Keris Forum, but this is really about much more than the kris. They are also interested in the people (PI and Java), other weapons, daily life, religion and talismans.

Most of this I see centered in a time period from about 1400-1500 until 1925-50, though I do like the picture of the keris guy on the scooter.

tom hyle · 25th June 2010, 03:28 PM

"Ellegance of Death?"

tom hyle · 25th June 2010, 03:31 PM

A bit of a pain for you, perhaps, but IMHO it should be a two-forum thread, and the keris forum would hook you up major detailed info, explanatory pictures, etc. It's not just for keris, but other tosan aji, et.

Rick · 25th June 2010, 04:51 PM

Hi Bill,

I'd suggest that what we are talking about here is a diaspora of the keris from its place of origin (Java) through travel and trade to the Philippines .

(see the Thai Kreis thread in the Warung)

It seems pretty likely the keris came to the Philippines with the Malays .

I'd suggest that questions about the keris be asked in the Warung and queries about the Moro kris be posted here (ethno) along with any conclusions drawn from the results of the information from both forums .

Some questions to explore might be the importance of pamor patterns in Moro krisses, and an exploration of the esoteric importance of the Moro version vs the Javanese or Malay .

Here, I think, you may run into trouble with info from the Philippine side .
The Moro people were not much interested in the act of surrender .

Sadly much of this knowledge may have died with the men who were defending their faith and their lands in the 19th and early 20th centuries .

25th June 2010, 04:51 PM	#8
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,376	Hi Bill, I'd suggest that what we are talking about here is a diaspora of the keris from its place of origin (Java) through travel and trade to the Philippines . (see the Thai Kreis thread in the Warung) It seems pretty likely the keris came to the Philippines with the Malays . I'd suggest that questions about the keris be asked in the Warung and queries about the Moro kris be posted here (ethno) along with any conclusions drawn from the results of the information from both forums . Some questions to explore might be the importance of pamor patterns in Moro krisses, and an exploration of the esoteric importance of the Moro version vs the Javanese or Malay . Here, I think, you may run into trouble with info from the Philippine side . The Moro people were not much interested in the act of surrender . Sadly much of this knowledge may have died with the men who were defending their faith and their lands in the 19th and early 20th centuries . Last edited by Rick; 26th June 2010 at 05:02 AM.

25th June 2010, 02:56 PM	#1
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	In addition to the iron ganga many kris (non-sundang) have a second, nonferous, round, drawn-on bolster that sits around the tang above the blade, below the handle (swords are spoken of in the "West" traditionally as if being worn; the point is the bottom; the pommel is the top) This ring is often jewelled and AFAIK its purpose is jewelry.

25th June 2010, 02:58 PM	#2
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	kris may be held by pinching the blade, and many have grooves for the fingers to engage. The kris becomes your finger, so to speak.

25th June 2010, 03:00 PM	#3
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	Please don't use the word malice. Death and War are mighty fine Gods. They are not about malice.

25th June 2010, 03:02 PM	#4
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	Is this the right forum? I think so, but can this thread by on the kris forum, too?

25th June 2010, 03:28 PM	#6
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	"Ellegance of Death?"

25th June 2010, 03:31 PM	#7
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	A bit of a pain for you, perhaps, but IMHO it should be a two-forum thread, and the keris forum would hook you up major detailed info, explanatory pictures, etc. It's not just for keris, but other tosan aji, et.