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View Poll Results: The Ganja ? | |||
An expression of faith, spiritualism ? |
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0 | 0% |
A construction technique ? |
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4 | 57.14% |
A lock for the spirit in the keris ? |
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3 | 42.86% |
Other ....... |
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0 | 0% |
Voters: 7. You may not vote on this poll |
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#1 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,284
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Why is it present on a keris ?
Is it an expression of faith ? A construction technique? A lock for the spirit in the blade? Why is it there; what does it mean; what is its true use? |
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#2 | |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sweden
Posts: 1,637
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Rick,
I don't think anyone of us can prove the reason for the ganja being there so why not have a poll? I vote for alt. 3, the spiritual reason. Michael Quote:
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#3 |
Keris forum moderator
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 7,085
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As Michael points out, proof of any theory will be awfully hard to come by. This is a great question though, one that i have yet to receive a fully satisfactory answer to. One of the problems we are going to run into here is the difference between what the keris has become over the centuries and what the original intent on the design may have been. Certainly the keris is what it is today so answers that apply spiritual meaning to various parts of the keris are no doubt true for the practitioner. But i don't know how we will ever be able to get a grasp of original intent with any certainty.
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#4 | |
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Singapore
Posts: 1,248
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![]() ![]() Quote:
![]() Last edited by Alam Shah; 17th November 2006 at 11:42 PM. |
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#5 | |||||
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Singapore
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Let's refresh ourselves and go back to basics, shall we.
![]() What is a ganja? From Bambang's Ensiklopedi Keris... Ganja is the bottom-most area of the keris forming the base. At the centre of the ganja is a hole for the "pesi" (tang) portion. The blade and the ganja forms a union that cannot be seperated. Many cultural aspect indicated that it is a symbolic union of lingga and yoni. The ganja represents yoni while the blade with it's pesi represents lingga. In ancient culture, the union of lingga and yoni represents fertility, eternity and power. Quote:
Note: Earlier talismanic blades (sajen) does not seem to have this feature. Ref:Talismanic Indonesian Blades Quote:
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![]() Last edited by Alam Shah; 17th November 2006 at 02:13 PM. |
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#6 | |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,284
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![]() Quote:
![]() This may be an unsolvable question; but it's worth some discussion; so please share your choice after you vote . Rick |
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#7 |
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Location: Sweden
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Now I don't know how to vote anymore because you have two spiritual alternatives?
But I go for the lock of the spirit which is closest to what I think is the reason. I think it's talismanic with a lot of different symbolism. Kind of to balance the spiritual forces of the Keris. As Shahrial brought up the Linggam/Yoni dualism is one probable factor (on the other side of the ganja it's the pesi/ukiran = same thing). I also find it probable that it is a kind of lock, as well as a protective shield from, the Naga, or metaphysical forces in the Keris. But I am sure that there are several other reasons and explanations/speculations? Michael Last edited by VVV; 17th November 2006 at 04:20 PM. Reason: Made my choice |
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#8 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Nov 2004
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Yikes!
Sorry to complicate things Michael. The first option refers to the entire keris as a spiritual expression of life i.e. the ganja and pesi being a male female concept and all that entails. The other refers to the belief held by some that an empu can imbue a keris with certain powers and the ganja acts like the stopper on a bottle holding the power in the keris. ![]() Multiple answers are fine . ![]() |
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#9 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sweden
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I have alread voted now and there was only one alternative possible per vote.
Maybe it should have been only two alternatives then? 1) Metaphysical reasons (symbolism, lock etc.) 2) Physical reasons (construction, practical function etc.) Michael |
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