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Old 12th June 2011, 09:02 PM   #1
Amuk Murugul
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Hullo Gene,

This golok was made in a hurry. It is Soenda, from Priangan, Soemedang Regency. Many were made during Indonesia's struggle for independence. They were carried by Sajiddin (fighters prepared to die). These fighters were totally 'undrugged', except perhaps with religious conviction. Whole companies were known to have perished by say, attacking a tank with nothing more lethal than sharpened bamboo spears.
Quite a piece of Soenda/indo history!

As for the 'Ha Mim', I'd venture to say that it most likely, notionally, represents a rejoinder from the 'assemblage' akin to the 'halleluyah' or 'amen' after statements by a preacher in a Gospel church.
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Old 12th June 2011, 09:48 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Amuk Murugul
Hullo Gene,

This golok was made in a hurry. It is Soenda, from Priangan, Soemedang Regency. Many were made during Indonesia's struggle for independence. They were carried by Sajiddin (fighters prepared to die). These fighters were totally 'undrugged', except perhaps with religious conviction. Whole companies were known to have perished by say, attacking a tank with nothing more lethal than sharpened bamboo spears.
Quite a piece of Soenda/indo history!

As for the 'Ha Mim', I'd venture to say that it most likely, notionally, represents a rejoinder from the 'assemblage' akin to the 'halleluyah' or 'amen' after statements by a preacher in a Gospel church.
Hi again Amuk.

Thank you so much for the background on this item.

That's really interesting, I have to admit that I know very little about how Indonesia gained her independance..

Your explanation makes perfect sense. I couldn't understand why such a careful and long inscription was put on such a 'basic' weapon.
Is it common to see long verses on these? Do you think the inscription from the other side of the blade is something more connected to the ideology of the political situation at that moment?

So the date of 1365 (1945) relates to the war for independance? I had just assumed it related to WW2.

Despite it's basic nature, would you regard it as an interesting (even desirable) item then?

Best
Gene
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Old 12th June 2011, 10:22 PM   #3
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This golok is older as the double one Gene.. ;-)
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Old 12th June 2011, 10:32 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Maurice
This golok is older as the double one Gene.. ;-)
Sorry buddy, I'm confused?
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Old 12th June 2011, 10:40 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Atlantia
Sorry buddy, I'm confused?
I meant to say that this golok is older as the double "silat" goloks in your other thread...
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Old 12th June 2011, 10:51 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Maurice
I meant to say that this golok is older as the double "silat" goloks in your other thread...

LOL, oh I see, 'older' as in older than new and younger than antique! LOL!!!
Yeah, thats fine with me

It's interesting to think that this Golok is also part of such a pivotal moment in it's countries history. I hope Abdullatif or someone will be able to tell me what the rest of the inscription says.

Best
Gene
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Old 12th June 2011, 10:57 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Atlantia
Hi again Amuk.

Thank you so much for the background on this item.

That's really interesting, I have to admit that I know very little about how Indonesia gained her independance..

Your explanation makes perfect sense. I couldn't understand why such a careful and long inscription was put on such a 'basic' weapon.
Is it common to see long verses on these? Do you think the inscription from the other side of the blade is something more connected to the ideology of the political situation at that moment?

So the date of 1365 (1945) relates to the war for independance? I had just assumed it related to WW2.

Despite it's basic nature, would you regard it as an interesting (even desirable) item then?

Best
Gene
Hullo AGAIN Gene!

We have to stop meeting like this. People may begin to talk. My head is spinning; I feel as if I'm playing 'musical chairs'.

Length of verse is secondary to content/context. These blades would generally have been blessed by a doekoen or imam, depending on belief.
Scrap political ideology.....indos were largely politically-ignorant at that stage. Most were uneducated/illiterate in the Occidental sense.

The indo movement for independence started about 1920, with the military defeats of Russia by Japan. The 'physical' side was about 1942-1945.
Declaration of independence was 1945.

It is DEFINITELY NOT WORTH COLLECTING! Send it to me immediately and I WILL dispose of it! I promise (touch wood)!

Best,
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Old 12th June 2011, 11:59 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Amuk Murugul
Hullo AGAIN Gene!

We have to stop meeting like this. People may begin to talk. My head is spinning; I feel as if I'm playing 'musical chairs'.

Length of verse is secondary to content/context. These blades would generally have been blessed by a doekoen or imam, depending on belief.
Scrap political ideology.....indos were largely politically-ignorant at that stage. Most were uneducated/illiterate in the Occidental sense.

The indo movement for independence started about 1920, with the military defeats of Russia by Japan. The 'physical' side was about 1942-1945.
Declaration of independence was 1945.

It is DEFINITELY NOT WORTH COLLECTING! Send it to me immediately and I WILL dispose of it! I promise (touch wood)!

Best,

LOL, thanks mate, I'll throw it in the trash immediately
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Old 15th June 2011, 12:19 PM   #9
A.alnakkas
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Hey

The second picture, top inscription is a Quranic verse: Fa qute'ah dabir alqawm alatheen thalamu wa alhamdu lelah rab al alameen. In english it means: So the ruse (or scheme) of the people who have commited injustice is cut (or stopped, or subdued) and praise be to Allah, the lord of the worlds.

The bottom inscription: the first two words are unclear and the last few words could be a prayer. It says: Yakfeekuhum Allah wa huwa al Samee' al Aleem. In english it means: And Enough for you is Allah, the all hearer, the all knower.

I love this sword man, so much radiant history it has, you can almost feel it by looking! as if the one who wrote was extremely passionate.
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Old 15th June 2011, 02:29 PM   #10
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Abdullatif!
Wonderful work. My sincere thanks for your help in this quest.

If I can, I want to piece the information together in one post to see what we've got, if you could have a look once I've done that and see if you agree with how I set it out, that would be great.

Best
Gene
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Old 15th June 2011, 03:18 PM   #11
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Gene, You are most welcome

Sure I cant wait to read it, am very interested in this piece! though I have no clue about indonesian history

Am very interested now about how "ha mim" became a sort of hallelujah to indonesians. Perhaps it is time to study their history
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Old 15th June 2011, 04:05 PM   #12
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So, combining the excellent works of Messrs Alnakkas and Murugal, we have the following:

This Golok was part of the movement and armed struggle for Indonesian Independance.
It is Soenda, from Priangan, Soemedang Regency. They were carried by Sajiddin (fighters prepared to die).

Having evaluated the translations of the blade inscriptions, I am going to assume that the correct 'order' would be the one that starts with the date, and ending with the repeated expression of assent and approval.

So, first side (top pair below):
"1365 ****unknown**** Yakfeekuhum Allah wa huwa al Samee' al Aleem Fa qute'ah dabir alqawm alatheen thalamu wa alhamdu lelah rab al alameen."

"1945 ****unknown**** And Enough for you is Allah, the all hearer, the all knower, So the ruse (or scheme) of the people who have commited injustice is cut (or stopped, or subdued) and praise be to Allah, the lord of the worlds."

And the Second side (bottom pair below):
"Nasrun min allah wa fat'hun kareeb, Wa bashir al mu'mineen. Wa ma ramait ith ramait laken allah rama ********unknown********* ha mim, ha mim, ha mim, ha mim, ha mim, ha mim, ha mim ***unknown***"

"Close victory from God and close conquest, so give glad tidings to the believers. If you have shot your bow, it is not you who have shot, but it is God. ********unknown******** Repeated invocation ***unknown***"

Pictures edited to read from right to left and top then bottom.
Attached Images
  

Last edited by Atlantia; 15th June 2011 at 07:05 PM.
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