Murut Pakayun and human hair
 

Hello
Seeking Borneo sword folks' thoughts on if the har on this scabbard could be human hair. I note Dajak mentioned one of his had human hair on it. Any idea of the significance if it is human and could it be from a taken head?
Thanks

Sid, I doubt this is human hair. It is long, straight and coarse--very much like hair from a horse's mane or tail. Moro kampilan sometimes had horse hair "plugs" on their hilts.

I beg to disagree, Ian.

To me it does look like human hair - pics can be deceiving though and Sid needs to confirm in hand.

Regards,
Kai

Hello Sid,

Nice parapat - congrats! Pakayun is not a name - error by someone not speaking the language. Please post some more close-ups of both sides!


Yes, on both counts.

Genuine parapat were usually adorned with human hair; also the partial braiding is typical. Most examples have lost it though.

Regards,
Kai

A nice looker that was a give away price.

Certainly human hair to my eye too. I like the beads within the hair, a nice touch.

I suggest that you ask a hair dresser.

Yeah, ideally one of East or Southeast Asian descent... ;)

Thanks Gentlemen,
This sword also has some notches on the back of the spine near the tip. I have not seen this on other examples. When I get it I will post more images. These Parapat are quite enigmatic swords. Would be good to know the significance snd origin of the hair. I read Dayak adorned their shields with the hair of their victims. Could the same apply here?

Hello Sid,

Some parapat blades do have engravings on the back of the blade filled with brass (cp. the attached example with brass dots formerly in Ben's collection).


Quite likely as already mentioned in post #4. BTW, human hair has been (or was) widely utilized in Borneo swords including mandau. However, there are many old ethnic groups in inland Borneo and their respective reasons may vary!

Also note that parapat got utilized by several ethnic groups in northern Borneo, some more closely related than others. Thus, even here there may be cultural differences.

Regards,
Kai

Thanks Kai
Sorry I did not read post 4 carefully. Thanks for advising on the likely origin of the hair. I am grateful.
Best
Sid