![]() |
![]() |
#1 |
Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Balikpapan, Indonesia
Posts: 31
|
![]()
Hi gents,
I am newbi.. I am originally Dayak from Central Kalimantan (Dayak Ngaju). For admin thanks for accepting me in this forum.. I found so much valuable information about tribal weaponry, particularly Mandau. And I am just collecting several mandau for myself. My great grandfather used to be known as blacksmith of Mandau, yet, none of his descendants now inherit his skills. In central Kalimantan, the famous materials of Mandau only come from 2 kinds of stone: 1. Sanaman Mantikei (Stone of Mantikei) Normally Mandau made from this kind of stone never has smooth shape, seems like pitted but it’s not. This Mandau can be bent, normally by rub it with “daun sirih” (you may believe it or not but I’ve seen it). This kind of Mandau cannot be used to cut soft object such banana trees as it will be bent, but if it used to cut hard object it will cut. 2. Sanaman Lampang (floating stone) This is very oddand very rare people have it nowadays. This kind of metal can float on water. I personally have not seen it, but my grandfather had seen it. According to the legend this stone was stolen/given from spiritual world. Our late governor Tjilik Riwut has one of Sanaman Lampang Mandau and now is kept in capitol building. According to my grandfather story, back in times, when blacksmith wanted to forge Mandau, he will sing ‘karungut’ – a traditional song from Dayak Ngaju. I have a collection from a mixing from Sanaman Mantikei and Sanaman Djangkarang. Sanaman Djangkarang is not as famous the other two materials. But this is also from a stone, could be found in Barito or Katingan area. This type of Mandau is not bendable as Mantikei. IMG_3028.JPG |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Virginia
Posts: 520
|
![]()
Welcome to the forum.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 | ||||
Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,252
|
![]()
Hello, welcome to the forum!
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Is one of these sources "iron sand" from rivers? Quote:
Sorry for so many questions/requests but I am sure the specialized mandau collectors will be thrilled to have you on our forum! Let us know if we can help your quest with pics from our pieces or other other info. Regards, Kai |
||||
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 | |
Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Balikpapan, Indonesia
Posts: 31
|
![]() Quote:
![]() |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 | ||||||
Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Balikpapan, Indonesia
Posts: 31
|
![]() Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
|
||||||
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Balikpapan, Indonesia
Posts: 31
|
![]()
I have the the pic of raw mantikei
IMG_3098.JPG This mantikei is beeing cooked IMG_3099.JPG This is Mantikei mandau: IMG_3100.JPG This mandau was bent only by rubing it with "daun sirih" - betel kd.jpg |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,189
|
![]()
Welcome to our little forum. Glad we could be of some help to you, and hopefully you will be willing to add to our knowledge here.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Balikpapan, Indonesia
Posts: 31
|
![]()
why my reply is not appear? is that taking long time or need admin approval?
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sweden
Posts: 1,637
|
![]()
Welcome to the forum Cakszz,
I have never seen the raw mantikei material before, thanks for sharing. Is daun sirih (betel leaf) also used during the forging process of the mandau mantikei? Michael |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 |
Keris forum moderator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 7,091
|
![]()
Welcome to the forum Cakszz. This is all very interesting, but would you be able to explain why someone would want to bend a blade like this in the first place? I don't see the purpose of the exercise as it would seem to render the blade useless.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#11 | |
Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Balikpapan, Indonesia
Posts: 31
|
![]() Quote:
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#12 | |
Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Balikpapan, Indonesia
Posts: 31
|
![]() Quote:
For working we call it pisau ambang.. Looks like mandau but its different.. From material, tatahan... So some people would be wrong to identify mandau or ambang... |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#13 | |
Keris forum moderator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 7,091
|
![]() Quote:
You have also written that this type of weapon is not good for cutting soft materials, but is used for headhunting and because it cuts bone well. But there is quite a bit of soft flesh before you get to the bone that the blade must cut through first so this does not really make sense to me. You have mentioned that the pisau ambang looks like a mandau, but it is different. Could you explain how it is different so that we would be able to recognize those differences. Thanks much! ![]() |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#14 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 5,503
|
![]()
From my high school chemistry class ( long ago, alas!), the only metal capable of floating on water is lithium. And it oxidized immediately.
Sodium and potassium in metallic form also are slightly lighter than water, but totally unsuitable for forming blades or other objects. . Also, here is one of the processes suitable to obtain metallic lithium. http://www.ehow.com/how_2062993_obtain-lithium.html Doubt very much that Dyaks possessed enough knowledge :-) Thus, the "floating mandau" story sounds like a fairy tale to me. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#15 |
EAAF Staff
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,189
|
![]()
This may be true Ariel, it don't forget that a lot of stories and traditions grow around a lot of our weaponry.
Let's see what his are from his background. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#16 | |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,252
|
![]() Quote:
Yes, posts of new members need moderators' approval. This is a bit annoying since the discussion moves on while your replies only show up later and may even get overlooked if a thread is really busy. Please bear with us though since this also helps to protect the forum. After a while you'll get freed out off this quarantine mode - maybe contact a mod when you believe you've proven yourself... ![]() Regards, Kai |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#17 | |
Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Balikpapan, Indonesia
Posts: 31
|
![]() Quote:
I dont know very sure how it was used in "asang kayau era" - headhunting era.. I just realize my grandfather own one of authentic mantikei.. but now its with my brother in Kalimantan.. I havent seen it.. or try to bent it.. I need to ask my grandfather to gather all information.. as his grandfather was the last headhunters.. we were stop head hunting after Tombang Anoi declartaion in year 1893.. a meeting of all Dayak tribes in Tumbang Anoi, central kalimantan.. and issued 96 laws to stop beheadings, slavery etc... Pisau ambang is normaly made frol low quality of metal.. thats why some mandau made form gears ect.. because its called ambang.. but original mandau is made from high quality "batu gunung" as my picture previously.. and real mandau need rituals.. thats why takes months to make a mandau.. and the differents also on its "tatahan" - motives on blade |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#18 | |
Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Balikpapan, Indonesia
Posts: 31
|
![]() Quote:
I dont know this material.. but my grandfather said it yellowiss color.. and it will floating on water.. our governor has it anjd still kept in capitol house of central borneo.. I havent found any literature said about this mandau.. and also because many of those items have been destroy or burn in the name of religion.. so nowadays only veryy..veryyy few people has it.. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#19 | |
Keris forum moderator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 7,091
|
![]() Quote:
In regards to my previous questions perhaps we are having a language problem. I am not questioning whether this bendable metal is a possibility. My question is WHY would you want to create a blade that would bend like this. It just seems impractical and i don't understand what purpose it serves to create such a blade. ![]() |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#20 | |
Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Balikpapan, Indonesia
Posts: 31
|
![]() Quote:
Back to mantikei.. Its not we created that this metal will bent.. but it is inherit properties of this metal.. and this what my ancesstor found in ther location.. Last edited by David; 15th July 2013 at 01:55 PM. Reason: I edited you opinion on the 2001 incident because it could be offensive to others with different viewpoints. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|
|