IBAN WITH PISO PODANG

VVV · 5th December 2005, 10:39 AM

I just recieved my copy of Iban Art - great new book.
I suspect it's the same sword on the cover and on page 122.
What's interesting is that the author remarks:
"Probably made in Brunei, though Iban often made their own blades."

Michael

Raja Muda · 6th December 2005, 01:53 AM

Hi Vandoo,

I think I've seen the very same swords you've mentioned in Kuching. I guess you meant the Iban decorated Piso Podang in that row of antique shops on the Kuching waterfront. One or two I saw were pretty large so could it be possible that some of these are actually tulwars, redecked in Iban gear. I thought there was a reference somewhere in Gardner's book about Indian weapons confiscated from the Mutineers offloaded in great quantities in the Southeast Asian markets? Could this be the source for some of the swords.

VANDOO · 6th December 2005, 04:03 AM

YES I AM SURE YOU SAW SOME OF THE SAME SWORDS I DID, THEY DO HAVE A GOOD SUPPLY OF THEM LOCALLY. THERE ARE QUITE A FEW SHOPS IN THAT AREA AND A LOT OF INTERESTING ITEMS IN THEM. IT IS VERY EDUCATIONAL TO SEE ALL THE THINGS THEY HAVE WHICH RANGE FROM OLD TO NEW, FROM TRADITIONAL TO FANTASY. NOT ONLY WERE THERE DRAGON MANDAU THERE WERE MERMAID MANDAU ALSO

I THINK IT LIKELY THAT A LARGE NUMBER OF SWORDS FROM INDIA OR SOMEWHERE ELSE SHOWED UP AT ONE TIME OR PERHAPS SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE YEARS. IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO KNOW THE STORY BUT WOULD TAKE A LOT OF REASEARCH OF OLD CUSTOMS AND CARGO MANIFESTS TO EVER FIND, AND WHO KNOWS IF THE PAPERWORK STILL SURVIVES.
I ENJOYED BORNEO AND WOULDN'T MIND GOING AGAIN IF I EVER GET THE CHANCE ITS AS HOT AS HOUSTON TEXAS ON A BAD DAY AROUND KUCHING THOUGH, SO IF YOU DON'T LIKE HOT IT WOULD NOT BE PLESANT.

6th December 2005, 01:53 AM	#2
Raja Muda Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Posts: 100	Swords in Kuching Hi Vandoo, I think I've seen the very same swords you've mentioned in Kuching. I guess you meant the Iban decorated Piso Podang in that row of antique shops on the Kuching waterfront. One or two I saw were pretty large so could it be possible that some of these are actually tulwars, redecked in Iban gear. I thought there was a reference somewhere in Gardner's book about Indian weapons confiscated from the Mutineers offloaded in great quantities in the Southeast Asian markets? Could this be the source for some of the swords.

5th December 2005, 10:39 AM	#1
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	I just recieved my copy of Iban Art - great new book. I suspect it's the same sword on the cover and on page 122. What's interesting is that the author remarks: "Probably made in Brunei, though Iban often made their own blades." Michael

6th December 2005, 04:03 AM	#3
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	YES I AM SURE YOU SAW SOME OF THE SAME SWORDS I DID, THEY DO HAVE A GOOD SUPPLY OF THEM LOCALLY. THERE ARE QUITE A FEW SHOPS IN THAT AREA AND A LOT OF INTERESTING ITEMS IN THEM. IT IS VERY EDUCATIONAL TO SEE ALL THE THINGS THEY HAVE WHICH RANGE FROM OLD TO NEW, FROM TRADITIONAL TO FANTASY. NOT ONLY WERE THERE DRAGON MANDAU THERE WERE MERMAID MANDAU ALSO I THINK IT LIKELY THAT A LARGE NUMBER OF SWORDS FROM INDIA OR SOMEWHERE ELSE SHOWED UP AT ONE TIME OR PERHAPS SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE YEARS. IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO KNOW THE STORY BUT WOULD TAKE A LOT OF REASEARCH OF OLD CUSTOMS AND CARGO MANIFESTS TO EVER FIND, AND WHO KNOWS IF THE PAPERWORK STILL SURVIVES. I ENJOYED BORNEO AND WOULDN'T MIND GOING AGAIN IF I EVER GET THE CHANCE ITS AS HOT AS HOUSTON TEXAS ON A BAD DAY AROUND KUCHING THOUGH, SO IF YOU DON'T LIKE HOT IT WOULD NOT BE PLESANT.