Seadajak Parang with rare scabbard

[VVV]

Originally Posted by mandaukudi

Hi Michael,

The hilt is puzzling me too , I have the idea that this piece is from the north of Borneo below the Murut area but I have no proof.

The lower one is what I call a mandau from the Dusun tribe.

regards,

Arjan.

Arjan,

Has the "mandau from the Dusun tribe" a flat blade with the same decorations on both sides?

Michael

[Mytribalworld]

Originally Posted by VVV

Arjan,

Has the "mandau from the Dusun tribe" a flat blade with the same decorations on both sides?

Michael

Hi Michael,

No it isn't flat, its holow like a mandau should be.

here some pics

Arjan

[VVV]

That's a bit odd if it should be Dusun as they didn't produce ilang themselves but acquired them from Sarawak or mostly Kalimantan?
The parang they did manufacture is the gayang with flat sides and usually ornaments on both sides.
Maybe your parang ilang is from one of the coastal tribes in Sarawak instead of Dusun?

Michael

[Mytribalworld]

Originally Posted by VVV

That's a bit odd if it should be Dusun as they didn't produce ilang themselves but acquired them from Sarawak or mostly Kalimantan?
The parang they did manufacture is the gayang with flat sides and usually ornaments on both sides.
Maybe your parang ilang is from one of the coastal tribes in Sarawak instead of Dusun?

Michael

I don't think so, the reason why I think its Dusun ( or Kinabatingan area at least) is that I saw two sword in the KIT wich are in style like mines however mines is a more simple one. They are both decribed as Kinabatangan river. The description in the KIT are mostly very secure. Also the handle has the shape of plate 151 in Hornbill and dragon ( described as Dusun) a lot in common with my example. The Dusun was as far as I know the tribe who lived there in that area. You can recognize them on the triangular shap of the handle,the zig-zag line what mostly on handle and sometimes also on scabbard,the mostly grooved hooks in the carving and the scabbard what wears a square plate with carvings in stead of the mostly triangular shape of other tribes.Mostly carved with flowermotifs or stars.
Can you show me an example of the parang Gayang?

Arjan

see link http://collectie.tropenmuseum.nl/nBa...=&culturenode=

[VVV]

I base my comment on both Evans' and Rutter's ethnographic works describing weapon production among the Dusun.
According to them if it's an ilang then it's most likely "imported" from another tribe outside North of Borneo.
Here are two examples of what might be a Gayang.

Michael

[Mytribalworld]

Originally Posted by VVV

I base my comment on both Evans' and Rutter's ethnographic works describing weapon production among the Dusun.
According to them if it's an ilang then it's most likely "imported" from another tribe outside North of Borneo.
Here are two examples of what might be a Gayang.

Michael

Hi Michael,

Also Rutter writes that some of the pagan blacksmiths have learnt their manufacture and occasonally turn out weapons of good workmanship.

On the other way the work of Rutter is mainly written around 1920 that was a times where the North part of Borneo was changing by trade, British rulers who has forbidden headhunting and other influences.
Its possible that the mandaus I mentioned are made before this time.
Mines has a coin from 1907 ( which doesn't proof of course that its made in 1907)

In my opinion the style ( in carving,not the blades) is to different from the Iban.The baldes of the gayang you show looks to be imported form the west indeed but maybe where decorated with Dusun designs?

[VVV]

Originally Posted by mandaukudi

...Also Rutter writes that some of the pagan blacksmiths have learnt their manufacture and occasonally turn out weapons of good workmanship... (snip)
...In my opinion the style ( in carving,not the blades) is to different from the Iban.The baldes of the gayang you show looks to be imported form the west indeed but maybe where decorated with Dusun designs?

Arjan,

Please also have a look in Evans page 189-190 to get the overall picture of my conclusion.
On Rutter's comment I understand that it refers more to gayang than the ilang?
Your opinion quoted above, as I understand it, I find very probable.
That even if the blades maybe were imported the decorations (=dress, hilt, carvings) are locally made and Dusun.
Similar to the trade blades in the keris world.
In several Kalimantan sources we read that the best ilang blades were traded to other tribes...

Michael