Deity or Demon

[Anthony G.]

Hi folks, anyone has comprehension about this creature (hulu). Is it only in Java mainland and is it a deity or Demon, what is the name?
What does the wolf or dog symbolize?

[Jean]

A modern and fantasy depiction of a buta bajang (little ogre) hilt from NW Java showing a naga coiled around the neck and sucking the finger of the demon? Notice the Shiva eye on the forehead.
See an original piece on the next pic for comparison.

[Jean]

Silver hilt on resin.

[A. G. Maisey]

Agreed.

the usual indicator for a demon is fangs, in broad terms if the figure has fangs, he's a baddy

[Anthony G.]

Originally Posted by Jean

Silver hilt on resin.

So it is actually a Naga, for a moment i thought it is a wolf. Thanks

[jagabuwana]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Agreed.

the usual indicator for a demon is fangs, in broad terms if the figure has fangs, he's a baddy

If the keris is a shrine and the hulu guards it, how is it that a "baddy", demon or otherwise, be a guardian?

[JustYS]

Originally Posted by jagabuwana

If the keris is a shrine and the hulu guards it, how is it that a "baddy", demon or otherwise, be a guardian?

Hi Jaga,

I am sure Alan will have a much better/correct explanation, in the meantime if you're familiar with Ramayana/Mahabharata stories then you'll know that some Raksasas (considered as demons) in those stories are not all evil.

For example Gatotkaca is a Raksasa but he is not evil, he is the son of Bhima and he fought alongside the Pandavas.

Same thing with Wibisana also a Raksasa and brother of Rahwana but he is not evil and fought alongside Rama.

Cheers.

YS

[A. G. Maisey]

Tell me Jaga, when somebody has taken out a contract on you, who do you get to protect you?

The Tooth Fairy?

The Easter Bunny?

Nope, you get your mate who is the Sergeant at Arms for the local chapter of the Bandidos.

The baddest boy on the block.

Same logic.

Is some insignificant trouble maker spirit gonna screw around with a big bad bhuta with six inch fangs?

I think not.

[A. G. Maisey]

No baddies are all bad, neither are all goodies all good.

The whole thing is about balance, dark & light.

All creation must be kept in balance, its is not desirable if evil triumphs, nor is is all that good, if the other side gets the upper hand.

For example, my mate, the Sergeant at Arms, is also one of the most caring fathers I know, and he helps little old ladies across the street.

[Anthony G.]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Tell me Jaga, when somebody has taken out a contract on you, who do you get to protect you?

The Tooth Fairy?

The Easter Bunny?

Nope, you get your mate who is the Sergeant at Arms for the local chapter of the Bandidos.

The baddest boy on the block.

Same logic.

Is some insignificant trouble maker spirit gonna screw around with a big bad bhuta with six inch fangs?

I think not.

well said. I love what you have wrote.

[Jean]

Originally Posted by Anthony G.

So it is actually a Naga, for a moment i thought it is a wolf. Thanks

The naga coiled around the neck of the demon is poorly depicted indeed, the head seems detached from the body.
Regards

[Anthony G.]

Originally Posted by Jean

The naga coiled around the neck of the demon is poorly depicted indeed, the head seems detached from the body.
Regards

I suppose it is not easy to crave from the buffalo horn.....

[Jean]

Originally Posted by Anthony G.

I suppose it is not easy to crave from the buffalo horn.....

The hilt looks dull for buffalo horn, you should oil it, see 2 old hilts made from black horn and with a typical patina.

[jagabuwana]

YS and Alan - well said and fair point. I'd definitely go with the outlaw bikey. A good point about "balance" too. My thinking seems to default to the very binary good-vs-evil worldview of my Muslim upbringing, which can get in the way sometimes.

[Anthony G.]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

No baddies are all bad, neither are all goodies all good.

The whole thing is about balance, dark & light.

All creation must be kept in balance, its is not desirable if evil triumphs, nor is is all that good, if the other side gets the upper hand.

For example, my mate, the Sergeant at Arms, is also one of the most caring fathers I know, and he helps little old ladies across the street.

remind me of the Taoism, about balance of force of nature.

[A. G. Maisey]

Yes Jaga, all the People of the Book seem to have this combative nature, this idea of one natural element in perpetual conflict with another.

Other peoples seem to have adopted a more, let us say, conciliatory philosophy where one natural element is the reverse face of another, and the balance achieved by both in opposition results in a central harmony that permits continued existence.

On the other hand, perpetual conflict can only result in continued destruction.

[David]

Originally Posted by Jean

The hilt looks dull for buffalo horn, you should oil it, see 2 old hilts made from black horn and with a typical patina.

I agree that oiling and hand rubbing will no doubt help eventually to bring a nice patina to Anthony's hilt. But keep in mind that this is a brand new creation. It is not going to display the beautiful patina of 50-100 years or more that has developed on the examples you have shown here simply by applying a little oil. That will take a little bit of time.

[A. G. Maisey]

or a pot of tea

[Jean]

Originally Posted by David

I agree that oiling and hand rubbing will no doubt help eventually to bring a nice patina to Anthony's hilt. But keep in mind that this is a brand new creation. It is not going to display the beautiful patina of 50-100 years or more that has developed on the examples you have shown here simply by applying a little oil. That will take a little bit of time.

Agreed David but from my experience the results could be nicely surprising. From the pic I would have assessed the hilt materials as kayu areng/ hitam (local ebony).
I take this opportunity to wish to all the members and their family a happy and Covid-free New Year 2022. Indonesia is deeply affected by the pandemic and I also wish all the best to all their people.

[A. G. Maisey]

Personally, I have an immense amount of difficulty in trying to ID material from photos.

[Anthony G.]

Originally Posted by Jean

Agreed David but from my experience the results could be nicely surprising. From the pic I would have assessed the hilt materials as kayu areng/ hitam (local ebony).
I take this opportunity to wish to all the members and their family a happy and Covid-free New Year 2022. Indonesia is deeply affected by the pandemic and I also wish all the best to all their people.

Actually is buffalo horn and I saw the horn 'white patch' in the video they sent me. I will make it into a photo and upload here when it arrives in Singapore.