Dayak mandau

Tim Simmons · 5th April 2012, 01:12 PM

Not that I am interested in this sort of thing these days but I have to say how nice it is to see pre WW2 pictures of this type of Mandau. So often I have been swayed but the rather erronious views of the conserative Mandau/Borneo speciallists, somewhat spoilling the joy of a find. They certainly have very good blades.

Maurice · 5th April 2012, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

Not that I am interested in this sort of thing these days but I have to say how nice it is to see pre WW2 pictures of this type of Mandau. So often I have been swayed but the rather erronious views of the conserative Mandau/Borneo speciallists, somewhat spoilling the joy of a find. They certainly have very good blades.

That's just the point here what I tried to say. It isn't always that easy to give perfect views about these weapons.
Sometimes it's very clear and obvious, but sometimes it could be a mix or it's just that divergent that it isn't that simple anymore...

Indianajones · 6th April 2012, 05:48 PM

Hi Maurice,
to my opinion the only or most reliable studymaterial are old pictures with preferrably people wearing items and from books which are about specific expeditions, so one knows the placenames are correct. Cataloges and museumbooks are often not correct.
Besides that one cannot rely on just one picture with a name but at least three. Books as from Nieuwenhuisen, Hose, Mjoberg, Dragon n Hornbill were quite informative to my opinion.

Trading and raiding did take place and especially the iron blades where traded as also jungleproducts as hornbillivory and deerantler. Though I dont think personally that mandau taken from the slain enemy were just worn without any modification (by its new owner). I reckon the mandau is among the most important symbols worn by a tribesmember that he belongs to a particular tribe (or clan).

Even from the appearance I can often see from what area this particular person comes from.
Example; the two pictures posted by Vandoo are from a Kelabit-tribesmen <the one with the child> and the other from South Kalimantan somewhere close to Ngaju <as the mandauhandle is Ngaju-like>.
I would like to say; test me. . . .! Though ofcourse there are always a few exceptions to the rule.

Best,

5th April 2012, 01:12 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,899	Not that I am interested in this sort of thing these days but I have to say how nice it is to see pre WW2 pictures of this type of Mandau. So often I have been swayed but the rather erronious views of the conserative Mandau/Borneo speciallists, somewhat spoilling the joy of a find. They certainly have very good blades.

6th April 2012, 05:48 PM	#3
Indianajones Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 180	Hi Maurice, to my opinion the only or most reliable studymaterial are old pictures with preferrably people wearing items and from books which are about specific expeditions, so one knows the placenames are correct. Cataloges and museumbooks are often not correct. Besides that one cannot rely on just one picture with a name but at least three. Books as from Nieuwenhuisen, Hose, Mjoberg, Dragon n Hornbill were quite informative to my opinion. Trading and raiding did take place and especially the iron blades where traded as also jungleproducts as hornbillivory and deerantler. Though I dont think personally that mandau taken from the slain enemy were just worn without any modification (by its new owner). I reckon the mandau is among the most important symbols worn by a tribesmember that he belongs to a particular tribe (or clan). Even from the appearance I can often see from what area this particular person comes from. Example; the two pictures posted by Vandoo are from a Kelabit-tribesmen <the one with the child> and the other from South Kalimantan somewhere close to Ngaju <as the mandauhandle is Ngaju-like>. I would like to say; test me. . . .! Though ofcourse there are always a few exceptions to the rule. Best,