Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Amuk Murugul · 17th April 2009, 10:53 PM

Hullo everybody,

It is difficult to debate the true name of the type unless we are talking the same language, so to speak. For instance, I would have no problem in calling it a Tjoendrik (using the protocol I follow). However, among the Soenda, even this term is not definite, being interchangeable with, for example, sekin/sikkien, badi, peso blati (depending on individual and/or region).
It is important not to lose sight of the protocol under which the item is named. People tend to get carried away by mainstream/'accepted' protocols to the detriment/exclusion of others.
For all we know, it could've been called 'pedang' because its general shape resembles a type of sword. Or, 'pedang' may not have meant 'sword' at all at the time of its taxonomy.

As for being too short to be called a sword, what is the minimum length for an Occidental shortsword? One can then translate this proportionately to the Archipelago and see what the result is.

Best,

17th April 2009, 10:53 PM	#4
Amuk Murugul Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Kaboejoetan Galoenggoeng Mélben Posts: 472	Hullo everybody, It is difficult to debate the true name of the type unless we are talking the same language, so to speak. For instance, I would have no problem in calling it a Tjoendrik (using the protocol I follow). However, among the Soenda, even this term is not definite, being interchangeable with, for example, sekin/sikkien, badi, peso blati (depending on individual and/or region). It is important not to lose sight of the protocol under which the item is named. People tend to get carried away by mainstream/'accepted' protocols to the detriment/exclusion of others. For all we know, it could've been called 'pedang' because its general shape resembles a type of sword. Or, 'pedang' may not have meant 'sword' at all at the time of its taxonomy. As for being too short to be called a sword, what is the minimum length for an Occidental shortsword? One can then translate this proportionately to the Archipelago and see what the result is. Best, Last edited by Amuk Murugul; 17th April 2009 at 11:04 PM.