SWORD FROM BORNEO?

Jim McDougall · 10th March 2007, 05:46 PM

Hi Michael,
Thank you so much for the detailed response! It is most helpful to have this information for future reference! These weapons are extremely interesting but the complexities of variation have often seemed somewhat daunting in identification, and the more information presented the better understanding we can all share in studying them.
I have often wondered about the significance of the linear dots along the blade back, has there been any consensus on if any particular meaning is applied? Also it seems some are filled with brass, while some remain simply open dots.
Thanks again,
All the best,
Jim

VVV · 10th March 2007, 07:24 PM

Hi Jim,

There are several explanations of the dots - all of them talismanic and/or magic depending on which tribe and culture.

Michael

Dajak · 11th March 2007, 07:40 PM

Hi Michael that one with the bronze handle looks like Iban it looks a lot like the it was before the parang niabor and this one does surprise me if it was not end 1700
the other one has same brass collar as we see on the murut swords
so that one maybe used by muruts aera
I see some mandau handle s in bronze

Ben

VVV · 11th March 2007, 07:54 PM

Hi Ben,

Thanks for your comments.
I find it hard, with such old, and quite rare, swords to be sure from which tribe they might be. None of them have the typical (maybe later?) motifs.
So from Iban to Murut, with Melanau inbetween, are all possible origin.
I hope to find time one day to do some more research on this parang.
Have you found any older sources than Shelford on the Parang Pedang that I didn't mention above?

Michael

Dajak · 12th March 2007, 05:40 PM

Hi Michael not yet it is hard to find we need old pic s that are people on
but hard to get from 1700

Ben

10th March 2007, 05:46 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,190	Hi Michael, Thank you so much for the detailed response! It is most helpful to have this information for future reference! These weapons are extremely interesting but the complexities of variation have often seemed somewhat daunting in identification, and the more information presented the better understanding we can all share in studying them. I have often wondered about the significance of the linear dots along the blade back, has there been any consensus on if any particular meaning is applied? Also it seems some are filled with brass, while some remain simply open dots. Thanks again, All the best, Jim

10th March 2007, 07:24 PM	#2
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Hi Jim, There are several explanations of the dots - all of them talismanic and/or magic depending on which tribe and culture. Michael

11th March 2007, 07:40 PM	#3
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	Hi Michael that one with the bronze handle looks like Iban it looks a lot like the it was before the parang niabor and this one does surprise me if it was not end 1700 the other one has same brass collar as we see on the murut swords so that one maybe used by muruts aera I see some mandau handle s in bronze Ben

11th March 2007, 07:54 PM	#4
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Hi Ben, Thanks for your comments. I find it hard, with such old, and quite rare, swords to be sure from which tribe they might be. None of them have the typical (maybe later?) motifs. So from Iban to Murut, with Melanau inbetween, are all possible origin. I hope to find time one day to do some more research on this parang. Have you found any older sources than Shelford on the Parang Pedang that I didn't mention above? Michael

12th March 2007, 05:40 PM	#5
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	Hi Michael not yet it is hard to find we need old pic s that are people on but hard to get from 1700 Ben