19th July 2023, 04:29 PM | #1 |
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Borneo knife, lading cara arab?
Dear members,
a while ago this knife crossed my path. The engravings remind me of parang naburs, and the closest thing I can find with this blade profile is "lading cara arab" (Sunfield traditional Borneo weapons part III, p 230). But that has a different base near the handle, stepped widening whereas this one is getting narrower (index finger fits perfectly overthere). I'd love to hear your thoughts. Kind regards, Eric. |
20th July 2023, 03:22 AM | #2 |
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This kind of reminds me of the Indonesian version of the jambiya.
The "okir" at the base almost looks Moro to me. |
20th July 2023, 07:11 PM | #3 |
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I had to google the term okir but I see what you mean, thanks.
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20th July 2023, 11:32 PM | #4 |
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- djambia Bandjar
- lading cara arab=Arab-style knife Last edited by Amuk Murugul; 21st July 2023 at 03:52 AM. |
21st July 2023, 09:15 PM | #5 |
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29th July 2023, 12:16 AM | #6 |
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Hello Eric,
That is a nice one. The hilt shape and the decoration are very unique. I have not seen that before. |
29th July 2023, 04:12 PM | #7 |
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Hi Willem,
thanks, me neither. The end of the hilt is also worked by the way, previous pics didn't show that. Kind regards, Eric. |
29th July 2023, 05:23 PM | #8 |
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Going along with what Jose said about the carving son the blade, the carving on the end of the hilt looks more than a little Moro to me.
I believe a number of Moros have ended up in Borneo, right? Maybe a little influence? Have fun, Leif |
29th July 2023, 06:48 PM | #9 |
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Nice knife, Eric!
This clearly is from Negara with its major melting pot Banjarmasin: The engravings exhibit strong Malay influence and especially the carved hilt and scabbard are typical for short blades from that area. BTW, "lading cara arab" is most likely just a description (given by a local to an inquisitive colonial officer) rather than a real name utilized within the culture for the piece shown in Schmeltz/AvZ. If anyone insists that this shall refer to a specific type of knife/dagger, I have to admit that I also fail to see a close relationship between the blade shown in Schmeltz/AvZ and Eric's piece; the scabbard construction is very different and the hilt with hardly more than similar overall shape. While there evidently was contact via trade (and probably exchanges of gifts between rulers), I fail to see any evidence for Moro influences or even origins for this knife. Regards, Kai |
31st July 2023, 01:26 AM | #10 |
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31st July 2023, 12:54 PM | #11 |
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Hello Eric,
Under the square decoration on the front there is a hole for a carrying/securing cord ? |
31st July 2023, 08:18 PM | #12 |
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Hi Willem, yes that's it, the hole is coming through at part of the front making the decoration look like a bit like butterfly. Probably wear or by accident, at least I wouldn't make it like that intentionally on day 1 (leave more meat on it).
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1st August 2023, 09:43 AM | #13 |
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See Braiding rattan rings for a replacement for the ethnographic tape band on the lower part of the scabbard.��
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2nd August 2023, 02:06 PM | #14 | |
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