A Piso Podang With An Unusual Blade

VVV · 1st September 2009, 10:10 PM

Here is additional info on this kind of sword among the Dusun from an article by Evans, published in 1912:

"Once, nevertheless, at Tuaran I was witness of a small portion of a head-hunting ceremony. Seven or eight men were walking in single file near a village and were keeping up a continual war cry, which had a peculiar whistling sound. Each man was wearing a ceremonial sword with a very long scabbard that was profusely decorated with human hair. This sword is called "Tenumpassuan," it consists of a straight blade about 2 1/2 feet long and a brass grip with guards; when combined with a short sheath it is usually known as "pedang." The scabbard of the tenumpassuan is about 4 feet long and broadens out to a width of 6 inches at its further end, The outer face is covered with rude carving."

Michael

And some additional reference pictures of the pedang. The drawing seems to be the same guy as the picture above that Maurice posted.

ariel · 2nd September 2009, 03:21 AM

I posted this one once, but nobody commented...
Other than feeling rejected :-) I still have a question: is the solid pommel indicative of Borneo, what is the origin of the blade and how was it carried ( see small rings on the scabbard.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ht=piso+podang

VVV · 2nd September 2009, 06:33 AM

Sorry if you took it that way

The reason I didn´t comment is that I don´t know because I haven´t seen anything like it before.
It doesn´t look like Borneo however. Neither does it look Batak.
The blade is straight so it isn´t a PP either but a chenangkas, if it´s from the Malay region.
Maybe somebody else has some clues?

Michael

CharlesS · 2nd September 2009, 12:56 PM

Ariel,

Based on the rings on the throat, or locket, mount...I'd say it was carried using a rather standard baldric, which would have worked far better for the shorter model you have shown, than for the far longer ones.

I don't think I have ever seen one of the longer chenangkas with ring mounts for a baldric.

pallas · 2nd September 2009, 10:31 PM

the fullers remind me of many bikaner armory weapons ive seen.......broadswords and tulwars....

CharlesS · 3rd September 2009, 02:19 PM

I am only now noticing the closed hilt pommel on that one, and, like Michael, I am a litttle mystified by its origins.

CharlesS · 4th September 2009, 04:23 PM

Thanks for these terrific old photos and drawings. I think little is more exciting for we collectors than to see the items we cherish in the hands the cultures and people that originally actually made and used them.

The old photos are just magnificent!

Thanks again!

1st September 2009, 10:10 PM	#1
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Here is additional info on this kind of sword among the Dusun from an article by Evans, published in 1912: "Once, nevertheless, at Tuaran I was witness of a small portion of a head-hunting ceremony. Seven or eight men were walking in single file near a village and were keeping up a continual war cry, which had a peculiar whistling sound. Each man was wearing a ceremonial sword with a very long scabbard that was profusely decorated with human hair. This sword is called "Tenumpassuan," it consists of a straight blade about 2 1/2 feet long and a brass grip with guards; when combined with a short sheath it is usually known as "pedang." The scabbard of the tenumpassuan is about 4 feet long and broadens out to a width of 6 inches at its further end, The outer face is covered with rude carving." Michael And some additional reference pictures of the pedang. The drawing seems to be the same guy as the picture above that Maurice posted. Attached Images

2nd September 2009, 03:21 AM	#2
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	I posted this one once, but nobody commented... Other than feeling rejected :-) I still have a question: is the solid pommel indicative of Borneo, what is the origin of the blade and how was it carried ( see small rings on the scabbard. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ht=piso+podang

2nd September 2009, 06:33 AM	#3
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Sorry if you took it that way The reason I didn´t comment is that I don´t know because I haven´t seen anything like it before. It doesn´t look like Borneo however. Neither does it look Batak. The blade is straight so it isn´t a PP either but a chenangkas, if it´s from the Malay region. Maybe somebody else has some clues? Michael

2nd September 2009, 12:56 PM	#4
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Ariel, Based on the rings on the throat, or locket, mount...I'd say it was carried using a rather standard baldric, which would have worked far better for the shorter model you have shown, than for the far longer ones. I don't think I have ever seen one of the longer chenangkas with ring mounts for a baldric.

2nd September 2009, 10:31 PM	#5
pallas Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 53	the fullers remind me of many bikaner armory weapons ive seen.......broadswords and tulwars....

3rd September 2009, 02:19 PM	#6
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	I am only now noticing the closed hilt pommel on that one, and, like Michael, I am a litttle mystified by its origins.

4th September 2009, 04:23 PM	#7
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Thanks for these terrific old photos and drawings. I think little is more exciting for we collectors than to see the items we cherish in the hands the cultures and people that originally actually made and used them. The old photos are just magnificent! Thanks again!