Pangulu and Penghulu?

[VVV]

As you know Stone, as well as Karsten Sejr Jensen, calls the Bugis Jawa Demam/Kerdas hilt Pangulu. I haven't been able to find any other sources of this name.
I also noticed that collectors from Malaysia and Singapore calls the broad Bugis sheath Sampir Penghulu (village chief/chieftain).
I haven't either found any source for this name in any books or old articles.

Could somebody please explain if there is any connection?

Michael

[Alam Shah]

Pangulu and Penghulu meaning are the same = village head/chieftain.
Pangulu (javanese word); Penghulu (malay word).

However, need to confirm...

[VVV]

Thanks for your input Alam Shah,
Javanese vs Malay is interesting but according to Stone Panguku is a local (Sulawesi Bugis) name of the hilt. I guess they have other dialects?
But probably influenced by Javanese, or?
Anyone who knows more about this?

Michael

[Alam Shah]

Originally Posted by VVV

Javanese vs Malay is interesting but according to Stone Panguku is a local (Sulawesi Bugis) name of the hilt. I guess they have other dialects?
But probably influenced by Javanese, or?
Michael

Michael, in Stone's, I only found Pangulu. A kris hilt, Celebes (Arc. f. Eth. XVIII, 65) on Pg:481. I guess that's what you're referring to. In general, there are terms which spelling are not the same but when it is pronounced, sounds the same. (Eg: pendoko/pendokok/pendongko/pendongkok). Dialects do play a part in the pronunciation.
Up to the 16th and 17th centuries before the arrival of the Europeans, the Sulawesi southern peninsula was divided into several large kingdoms, occupying roughly the same areas as the modern kabupaten (regencies) which today bear their names. These kingdoms consists of a number of chiefdoms, each with its own ruler and territory, loosely united round a central "king". The king ruled directly only his own chiefdoms; the rest of the territory was administered by his chiefs, (an arrangement which at times must have severely limited his power).

Imo, these chieftain keris may be worn as a mark/symbol of office/authority. The same way keris panjang is to the rajas and sultans.

[VVV]

Shahrial,

Sorry about the spelling "Panguku". A typo. Of course it was intended to be Pangulu.
Interesting about the ruling system in south Sulawesi. Reminds me of the Sulu discussion we had on Datu/Panglima/Sultan in the other forum.

From what I understand the attribute of the Penghulu was the sampir, not the hilt form. Is that correct?

Michael

[Alam Shah]

Originally Posted by VVV

Interesting about the ruling system in south Sulawesi. Reminds me of the Sulu discussion we had on Datu/Panglima/Sultan in the other forum.

From what I understand the attribute of the Penghulu was the sampir, not the hilt form. Is that correct?

Michael

Michael,
Yes, that's correct. But normally the hilt is made to harmonise with the sheath as well.