PARANG PANDIT

[VVV]

Hi Dajak,

Yes, I have that book as well as the new Iban Art book.
I had a look in them both, as well as couple of other general Dayak design books, but the only Iban resembling pattern on your scabbard I could find was variations of the general leaf pattern.
This is a pattern variation that also is found among several other tribes.
I specifically looked for the "fish" symbol on your scabbard but couldn't find it anywhere as Iban.
I also tried to find the diagonal checkered pattern in the Iban design books.
Please give me some hints on where to look?
I haven't seen any proof that the Pandat has been used by the Ibans after late 19th C. Do you agree?
If Pandat originally was an Iban Parang, why did they then stop using it and why did the Land Dayaks take over it?
And why did the old field researchers only attribute it to the Land Dayaks?
But I guess that Stone got it from some old source that I missed?
Do you know which?

Michael

[RhysMichael]

Dominique Buttin attibuted them to the land dyaks on his site
http://old.blades.free.fr/
I beleive most of his information comes from ""Catalogue de la Collection d'Armes Anciennes, Européennes et Orientales" " by Chales Buttin

[Dajak]

Hi he did that after I send him the shelford publication and pics off the
pandat because that is the same as the one pictured overhere



Micheal he might got some imformation from

Ling Roth The natives off Sarawak and British Borneo 1869

I have an sword that was an bringback by an British officer in 1820

So english where very early there before shelford make the publication more than 100 years ago before he makes the publication

[VVV]

Hi Ben,

I have read Ling Roth's book but I think it's very cryptic regarding his description of Dayak swords. Sometimes I suspect that he mixes up names of the swords (Nabur vs Niabor) and a lot seems to come from hearsay. So if Ling Roth is the main source I fully understand why Stone also had problems with classifying some weapons.
Another example is his description of the Dukn. A van Zonneveld obviously chooses only to quote it in his excellent book, maybe because it's hard to figure out what it really is? My guess (!) is that it's the Iban Pedang that resembles the Batak Piso Podang.
Enclosed is a page from Ling Roth on the Parang Pandit (I think?).
If that's the page then he attributes it to the Hill tribes instead of the Sea Dayaks.
I also have enclosed a nice illustration from the same book of a Pandat that resembles yours. Also note that Ling Roth attributes the Kampilan in the same illustration to the Lanun tribe.

This thread more and more looks like a discussion only between us so unless somebody else would like to participate maybe we should continue it off forum?

And I am sure that we all would like to see the 1820 bring back sword.

Michael

PS RhysMichael, Charles Buttin's Catalogue is a catalogue of his collection. I don't have it with me at the moment but I think there is only one plate in it of Indonesian weapons. I find the D Buttin site very well researched and you can find a separate reference list on the site with several good books and articles.

[Dajak]

I show you the sword when you visit me other wise I have nothing news for you to see.

[VVV]

I am reviving this old thread to share two pandat I have acquired since then.
I also hope other forumites could share there variations so we could have a nice reference thread.
The first one with unusually nice scabbard carvings.

Michael

PS I have cleaned the blade after I took the pictures...

[VVV]

The second one is a hybride between the long (Sidin) and short (Bennah) variation.
Also the pin on the grip is unusally long.

Michael