Tenggerese Keris

[A. G. Maisey]

Good idea!!

One I had not considered, and in my opinion well worth investigation.

However, it could be a bit difficult to carry out this type of research, as the Tenggerese people are quite a closed community. Yes, they regard themselves as being the inheritors of Majapahit, but by all accounts are very intolerant of outsiders and are totally fixated on money.

I feel it might be more than a little difficult to get close enough to those within the community who really know, and to extract the information.

Then again, maybe this part of the culture has simply been forgotten. I know personally of an example of this.

[tunggulametung]

I believe all you need is a good pick up line. I have an American friend who's during his travel in Indonesia uses: "suka dangdut?"
One of his best achievement by that line is Bluebird taxi driver ALWAYS allow him to smoke, something I NEVER be able to manage.

[Gustav]

Is ir possible, the Tenggerese have no keris culture at all? I have seen very few old photos with Tenggerese people, yet never a keris. It would mean, they were quite isolated froma very early point in the time.

[A. G. Maisey]

Entirely possible Gustav.

It depends upon what section of society they came from, and when.

[David]

Originally Posted by Gustav

Is ir possible, the Tenggerese have no keris culture at all? I have seen very few old photos with Tenggerese people, yet never a keris. It would mean, they were quite isolated froma very early point in the time.

Well, i spent some time searching google images and did not spot a single photo, old or new, of Tenggerese with keris. Here are a selection of those images. Note that many of these are in ceremony or are of local priests where you would expect to find a keris even if they were not common amongst the general populous.

[Jussi M.]

Maybe they do not show their kerises in public?

[David]

Originally Posted by Jussi M.

Maybe they do not show their kerises in public?

I suppose that is possible, but it seems counter to what we know about every other keris bearing culture. Surely, if not in regular day-to-day life, one would expect to see a keris in a ritual or ceremonial context.

[Pusaka]

Do the Tenggerese people have Silat, if so must be a very old style. Maybe the first question would be to ask them if they have Silat, if they say yes then ask them what weapons do they use/have

[Jussi M.]

Originally Posted by David

I suppose that is possible, but it seems counter to what we know about every other keris bearing culture. Surely, if not in regular day-to-day life, one would expect to see a keris in a ritual or ceremonial context.

Yeah, it is unlikely but either it is that or they do not have keris culture as we have learnt to know it. - Or maybe we just do not have enough material to draw conclusions from?