New Member, New Keris

[A. G. Maisey]

Peter, what I have outlined is quite straightforward from a Javanese point of view.

When one engages in any sort of transaction with a Javanese person one can rely on the fact that nothing will be as it might seem to be, and that nothing will be presented directly and openly, but rather it will be introduced at an angle, very often from behind and unexpectedly.

This is a general rule that applies in all transactions. To act in any other way is not the social norm. Gratuitous truth is avoided at all costs. Never, ever tell the truth if it can be avoided.

An example:-

Pak Wanda meets his next door neighbour walking along the road towards town.

"Good morning! What news?"
"Good Morning. I'm OK. Yourself?"
"I'm OK. Where are you going?"
"To the post office."
"OK, take it easy. See you later"

In fact Pak Wanda's neighbour was off to the market to buy some manggis.

Very uncool to be open, honest, and tell the truth.

This social norm comes across into all dealings with Javanese people, especially business dealings.

The general impression that a Javanese person seeks to create, most especially with any outsider is one of refined, non-committed warmth. They smile, they are complimentary, they are gentle and helpful. It is only when one is accepted as a part of a Javanese family and community that one comes to understand the true Javanese nature, which can be bad tempered, volatile and highly emotional. In fact, just like ordinary people anywhere, but it is very uncool to let the world see who you really are. You keep your true emotions hidden.

If one wishes to do business in Jawa, or get involved in any other way with Jawa, it is a very good idea to either spend an extended period of time in Jawa before spending any money or investing any emotion, or perhaps do a degree majoring in Javanese sociology.

[tunggulametung]

I'm not specifically speaking about the keris under discussion, or Detlef's example, but Javanese tanggalan sheath is often made from repurposed ladrang sheath, just as nguku bimo on telale gajah. In fact, I personally think this is the origin of the design. The Sumatran/Malay example is another.

[Jean]

Originally Posted by tunggulametung

I'm not specifically speaking about the keris under discussion, or Detlef's example, but Javanese tanggalan sheath is often made from repurposed ladrang sheath, just as nguku bimo on telale gajah. In fact, I personally think this is the origin of the design. The Sumatran/Malay example is another.

Hello Chandra,
This is an interesting opinion, however looking at my specimen and one typical warangka branggah from Yogya, I find it difficult that the tanggalan warangka could be reshaped from a branggah one for several reasons:
. The front part of the tanggalan warangka is more protruding and rounded than the branggah
. The tanggalan warangka is more curved on the top than the branggah
. The groove on the front side is different
. The rear part of the branggah is slimmer and flat at the bottom and it looks difficult to re-sape it to a tanggalan.

What do you mean by Sumatra/ Malay example?
Thanks and regards
Jean

[A. G. Maisey]

Jean, forgive me, but TA said that in his opinion the origin of the design was from reshaping a ladrang, not that all tanggalan were from ladrang.

In fact damaged ladrangs were the origin of a second type of wrongko also, the Madura/East Jawa kacir, but as with the tanggalan the kacir became a form in its own right.

Actually, I have a bit of a problem with this name:- "tanggalan".

I'd never heard this name used until I saw people on this Forum using it, then I found it in Ensiklopedi,published in 2004. It was not in the first edition (Ensiklopedi Budaya Nasional) published in 1988.

Through the 1970's, 1980's and 1990's everybody I knew in Solo called this wrongko form "wulan tumanggal", and they probably still do today, although its been a while since I've used or heard the name there.

The word "tanggalan" means "calendar". So this is a "calendar wrongko" ??

On the other hand, "wulan tumanggal" means "new moon", a name which to me seems very appropriate and perfectly understandable.

"Calendar wrongko" ?????

[David]

Thanks Alan. Very interesting info.

[tunggulametung]

Thanks Alan.
Jean, exactly my thought is what has been rephrased by Alan above.
I also meat to say that my opinion is limited to Javanese warangka and not similar warangka found on Sumatra/Peninsula, which in my opinion started as genuine style (Islamic influence?), or at least has been refined to its highest potential.

Alan, I think you have a valid point. The idea is indeed new moon (Javanese/Islamic calendar use lunar system), and it started perhaps as if one said gayaman, ladrangan, etc so the speaker might means (in informal setting) "in the style of wulan tumanggal". Wulan tumanggal or wulan tumanggalan is perhaps more appropriate but I personally would use any of the above as long other understand. Thank you for your reminder.

[Jean]

Originally Posted by tunggulametung

Jean, exactly my thought is what has been rephrased by Alan above.
I also meant to say that my opinion is limited to Javanese warangka and not similar warangka found on Sumatra/Peninsula, which in my opinion started as genuine style (Islamic influence?), or at least has been refined to its highest potential.

Thank you Chandra and sorry for the misunderstanding, however I still doubt that a proper warangka tanggalan or whatever you call it can be made from a repurposed ladrang or branggah unless it is decided by the craftsman during the making process...
And in Sumatra these sheaths are locally called dua hari bulan according to the EK.
Regards