A Tourist (?) Tumbuk Lada for Comment

TVV · 18th December 2004, 07:29 PM

I recently acquired this small tumbuk lada (at least this is what I believe it is). I am far from an expert on Indonesian weapons, and I would appreciate any comments. The seller claimed it was from Sumatra, which makes sense. The length of the whole dagger is approximately 30 cm, and the blade 17cm. The hillt and the scabbard fittings are made of horn. The blade is quite simple, no pamor. It appears to be of recent manufacture. Thanks,
Teodor

VANDOO · 18th December 2004, 08:32 PM

IT IS RECENTLY MADE AND WOULD APPEAL TO TOURISTS BUT IT WOULD ALSO BE NICE ENOUGH FOR A LOCAL TO BUY. I GENERALY CONSIDER SUCH ITEMS AS ETHINOGRAPHIC IF THEY ARE STILL ABLE TO SERVE THEIR FUNCTION AS A KNIFE AND USE THE PROPER DECORATION AND TECKNIQUE IN CONSTRUCTION. THERE MAY BE A LARGER MARKET TO TOURISTS BUT LOCALS MAY ALSO BUY THEM IF THEY STILL USE THEM FOR WORK, PROTECTION, DRESS, OR CEREMONY.

Raja Muda · 21st December 2004, 05:17 AM

Hi Teodor,

What you have looks a bit new but my personal opinion is it's a relatively well made piece compared to the tourist tumbuk lada to be had here. Generally, some of the less well made ones have sheaths and handles from buffalo bone, a few from horn with rudimentary carvings. The blades are generally made with false pamor and arabic writing on it from modern materials such as
This blade somehow looks nicer and better made.

TVV · 21st December 2004, 05:00 PM

Raja Muda and Vandoo, thanks for your comments.

DAHenkel · 22nd December 2004, 10:31 AM

Technically this should not be referred to as a tumbok lada. Tumbok lada refers to a related type of weapon from Northern Sumatra with an oversized hilt (ref. van Zonneveld, p. 149) and slightly broader blade.

A slightly more appropriate term would be sewar, although even this would be technically incorrect as the proper sewar blade has a downward curve. Being a contemporary piece though such inconsistencies are to be expected though.

TVV · 22nd December 2004, 05:28 PM

The previous owner maintained that the dagger originated from the Batak Toba near Lake Toba in North Sumatra. He, of course, may be wrong, and then, as you point out very well, modern renditions of traditional weapons may be somewhat different from the originals, and therefore hard to classify exactly.

DAHenkel · 27th December 2004, 02:05 PM

Saw one in Medan almost identical this weekend. So we know they come from up north, and we know they're still being made today.

18th December 2004, 07:29 PM	#1
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,616	A Tourist (?) Tumbuk Lada for Comment I recently acquired this small tumbuk lada (at least this is what I believe it is). I am far from an expert on Indonesian weapons, and I would appreciate any comments. The seller claimed it was from Sumatra, which makes sense. The length of the whole dagger is approximately 30 cm, and the blade 17cm. The hillt and the scabbard fittings are made of horn. The blade is quite simple, no pamor. It appears to be of recent manufacture. Thanks, Teodor Attached Images

21st December 2004, 05:17 AM	#3
Raja Muda Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Posts: 100	Tumbuk Lada Hi Teodor, What you have looks a bit new but my personal opinion is it's a relatively well made piece compared to the tourist tumbuk lada to be had here. Generally, some of the less well made ones have sheaths and handles from buffalo bone, a few from horn with rudimentary carvings. The blades are generally made with false pamor and arabic writing on it from modern materials such as This blade somehow looks nicer and better made.

18th December 2004, 08:32 PM	#2
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	IT IS RECENTLY MADE AND WOULD APPEAL TO TOURISTS BUT IT WOULD ALSO BE NICE ENOUGH FOR A LOCAL TO BUY. I GENERALY CONSIDER SUCH ITEMS AS ETHINOGRAPHIC IF THEY ARE STILL ABLE TO SERVE THEIR FUNCTION AS A KNIFE AND USE THE PROPER DECORATION AND TECKNIQUE IN CONSTRUCTION. THERE MAY BE A LARGER MARKET TO TOURISTS BUT LOCALS MAY ALSO BUY THEM IF THEY STILL USE THEM FOR WORK, PROTECTION, DRESS, OR CEREMONY.

21st December 2004, 05:00 PM	#4
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,616	Raja Muda and Vandoo, thanks for your comments.

22nd December 2004, 10:31 AM	#5
DAHenkel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 125	Technically this should not be referred to as a tumbok lada. Tumbok lada refers to a related type of weapon from Northern Sumatra with an oversized hilt (ref. van Zonneveld, p. 149) and slightly broader blade. A slightly more appropriate term would be sewar, although even this would be technically incorrect as the proper sewar blade has a downward curve. Being a contemporary piece though such inconsistencies are to be expected though.

22nd December 2004, 05:28 PM	#6
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,616	The previous owner maintained that the dagger originated from the Batak Toba near Lake Toba in North Sumatra. He, of course, may be wrong, and then, as you point out very well, modern renditions of traditional weapons may be somewhat different from the originals, and therefore hard to classify exactly.

27th December 2004, 02:05 PM	#7
DAHenkel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 125	Saw one in Medan almost identical this weekend. So we know they come from up north, and we know they're still being made today.