Show us your Dua Lalan

[Athanase]

Hello,

Here is a subject to exhibit your Dua Lalan


The first has a very simple wooden handle, the scabbard is covered with rattan with a brass band at the base.

The second has a pretty buffalo horn handle inlaid with bone, unfortunately it lacks the rattan on the grip and mice we seemed to find it to their taste ... The foot of the scabbard is in buffalo horn and is maintained by a bone pin.

[Sajen]

You have acquired some nice Sulawesi swords Séverin, congrats!

Here my honest example.

Regards,
Detlef

[Athanase]

I forgot my first Duan Lalan ^^ :

[JeffS]

Here are two more examples. I agree with the sentiment of Athanase (shared on his similar alamang post), these "Show me ..." posts are very helpful reference spots. They are also low hanging fruit for keeping our forum lively! 0

[David R]

Thank you for showing these, not seen anything like them before.

[JeffS]

Originally Posted by David R

Thank you for showing these, not seen anything like them before.

They are quite interesting. Apparently the Torajan language does not have a written form but they make extensive use of precise symbols which carry meaning that is passed on orally. I've attached an example panel of symbols. After looking at a number of dua lalan I'm starting to suspect new symbols are added over time, perhaps to record significant events. I believe Detlef has one that clearly shows a carving that was added later on the field (on part that looks like a hornbill's beak) that is blank in my example above.