Borneo knife, lading cara arab?

[Klop]

Dear members,

a while ago this knife crossed my path. The engravings remind me of parang naburs, and the closest thing I can find with this blade profile is "lading cara arab" (Sunfield traditional Borneo weapons part III, p 230). But that has a different base near the handle, stepped widening whereas this one is getting narrower (index finger fits perfectly overthere). I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Kind regards,
Eric.

[Battara]

This kind of reminds me of the Indonesian version of the jambiya.

The "okir" at the base almost looks Moro to me.

[Klop]

I had to google the term okir but I see what you mean, thanks.

[Amuk Murugul]

- djambia Bandjar
- lading cara arab=Arab-style knife

[Klop]

Originally Posted by Amuk Murugul

- djambia Bandjar
- lading cara arab=Arab-style knife

Terima kasih

[asomotif]

Hello Eric,

That is a nice one.
The hilt shape and the decoration are very unique. I have not seen that before.

[Klop]

Hi Willem,

thanks, me neither. The end of the hilt is also worked by the way, previous pics didn't show that.

Kind regards, Eric.

[Rafngard]

Going along with what Jose said about the carving son the blade, the carving on the end of the hilt looks more than a little Moro to me.
I believe a number of Moros have ended up in Borneo, right?
Maybe a little influence?

Have fun,
Leif

[kai]

Nice knife, Eric!

This clearly is from Negara with its major melting pot Banjarmasin: The engravings exhibit strong Malay influence and especially the carved hilt and scabbard are typical for short blades from that area.

BTW, "lading cara arab" is most likely just a description (given by a local to an inquisitive colonial officer) rather than a real name utilized within the culture for the piece shown in Schmeltz/AvZ. If anyone insists that this shall refer to a specific type of knife/dagger, I have to admit that I also fail to see a close relationship between the blade shown in Schmeltz/AvZ and Eric's piece; the scabbard construction is very different and the hilt with hardly more than similar overall shape.

While there evidently was contact via trade (and probably exchanges of gifts between rulers), I fail to see any evidence for Moro influences or even origins for this knife.

Regards,
Kai

[Ian]

Originally Posted by kai

...
While there evidently was contact via trade (and probably exchanges of gifts between rulers), I fail to see any evidence for Moro influences or even origins for this knife.

Regards,
Kai

I agree Kai. Nothing really to suggest a Moro influence.

[asomotif]

Hello Eric,

Under the square decoration on the front there is a hole for a carrying/securing cord ?

[Klop]

Originally Posted by asomotif

Hello Eric,

Under the square decoration on the front there is a hole for a carrying/securing cord ?

Hi Willem, yes that's it, the hole is coming through at part of the front making the decoration look like a bit like butterfly. Probably wear or by accident, at least I wouldn't make it like that intentionally on day 1 (leave more meat on it).

[kronckew]

See Braiding rattan rings for a replacement for the ethnographic tape band on the lower part of the scabbard.��

[Klop]

Originally Posted by kronckew

See Braiding rattan rings for a replacement for the ethnographic tape band on the lower part of the scabbard.��

Yes I might do that some time. Braiding is an artform in itself and requires a lot of patience for the bigger ones. Turkish head knot is relatively easy but the wider knots, Spanish ring knot, herringbones...Youtube is full of tutorials but I can't wrap my head around it - pun intended :-)