Sirau and their use

harimauhk · 18th March 2012, 06:14 PM

Now I see why Vinny had so many questions about the siraui! I have a Minangkabau one that is absolutely meant to be a weapon. The handle and sheath are beautifully carved and the blade is chased. Being a practitioner of Minang silat, it could absolutely be used as a weapon in either grip. I can see many ways it would integrate seamlessly in that manner.

I'd rather not get into specifics about use, but based on its size, I believe this kind of blade would possibly have been intended for srikandi (female warriors), a la Minang kerambit. The men would have preferred the sewar, tumbuk lada or keris. I can see how the larger ones could have been battlefield weapons, however. I have a very large modern Javanese one that again is absolutely intended for combat.

It could be used as a slasher or a stabber. It could also very well be used for utility. Cutting plants at their base with one with the edge up in forward/hammer grip would be much more natural than with the edge down.

North of Minangkabau, the Acehnese have long had their rencong, which is definitely all combat, so using an edge up or edge in fighting knife is not really unusual for the region.

Sajen · 18th March 2012, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harimauhk

Now I see why Vinny had so many questions about the siraui! I have a Minangkabau one that is absolutely meant to be a weapon. The handle and sheath are beautifully carved and the blade is chased. Being a practitioner of Minang silat, it could absolutely be used as a weapon in either grip. I can see many ways it would integrate seamlessly in that manner.

Can wee see a picture from this one?

Regards,

Detlef

harimauhk · 18th March 2012, 06:35 PM

Unfortunately I have it in storage: it is a modern piece, but nicely done. I'll see if I can rescue it tomorrow.

David · 18th March 2012, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by harimauhk

Unfortunately I have it in storage: it is a modern piece, but nicely done. I'll see if I can rescue it tomorrow.

I would also be interested in seeing it...of course, i am not sure what a modern version of this blade type can tell us about the original and traditional purpose of the knife. The Javanese siraui you have you say is a modern piece. What is the age on the Minangkubau piece. There is probably more to be learned from older versions that were made when blades were more likely to actually be used in a battle scenario than from any modern versions.

VVV · 19th March 2012, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

I would also be interested in seeing it...of course, i am not sure what a modern version of this blade type can tell us about the original and traditional purpose of the knife. The Javanese siraui you have you say is a modern piece. What is the age on the Minangkubau piece. There is probably more to be learned from older versions that were made when blades were more likely to actually be used in a battle scenario than from any modern versions.

Also the ones that Lew and KuKulzA28 are trying out are smaller versions of this blade. That's probably the reason why they prefer another kind of grip. "Size matters" with knives and grips.

Michael

harimauhk · 19th March 2012, 08:59 AM

I agree that an older piece would tell us more about traditional use. From the dress of the Minang ones I have seen in this thread and my modern one, it seems highly unlikely they were meant to be simple farm or household tools.

I sent my silat guru in KL a message to see what he thinks of it: it's not something we've discussed (yet)!

19th March 2012, 08:59 AM	#6
harimauhk Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 88	I agree that an older piece would tell us more about traditional use. From the dress of the Minang ones I have seen in this thread and my modern one, it seems highly unlikely they were meant to be simple farm or household tools. I sent my silat guru in KL a message to see what he thinks of it: it's not something we've discussed (yet)! Last edited by harimauhk; 19th March 2012 at 06:21 PM.

18th March 2012, 06:14 PM	#1
harimauhk Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 88	Now I see why Vinny had so many questions about the siraui! I have a Minangkabau one that is absolutely meant to be a weapon. The handle and sheath are beautifully carved and the blade is chased. Being a practitioner of Minang silat, it could absolutely be used as a weapon in either grip. I can see many ways it would integrate seamlessly in that manner. I'd rather not get into specifics about use, but based on its size, I believe this kind of blade would possibly have been intended for srikandi (female warriors), a la Minang kerambit. The men would have preferred the sewar, tumbuk lada or keris. I can see how the larger ones could have been battlefield weapons, however. I have a very large modern Javanese one that again is absolutely intended for combat. It could be used as a slasher or a stabber. It could also very well be used for utility. Cutting plants at their base with one with the edge up in forward/hammer grip would be much more natural than with the edge down. North of Minangkabau, the Acehnese have long had their rencong, which is definitely all combat, so using an edge up or edge in fighting knife is not really unusual for the region.

18th March 2012, 06:35 PM	#3
harimauhk Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 88	Unfortunately I have it in storage: it is a modern piece, but nicely done. I'll see if I can rescue it tomorrow.