Old Kris for comment

Gavin Nugent · 2nd January 2008, 06:55 AM

Hi, this is a very heavy and sturdy Kris that will be returned to Bali in 2008. I though you all might want a look before it finds it's way back to it's rightful heirs.

regards

Gavin

A. G. Maisey · 2nd January 2008, 07:19 AM

You've piqued my interest, Freebooter.

Can you tell us why you think this particular keris should be returned to Bali?

Is there some reason why this keris is culturally important?

I would be very interested in anything you feel inclined to tell us in this regard.

Gavin Nugent · 2nd January 2008, 08:03 AM

Thanks for your interest,

The short and sweet of it all revolves around a very dear friend of mine and his love for a small group of people from Tampaksiring whom with very little help and 8 years of his life he "dragged" for want of a better word from the 10th century into the world as we know it today, all this took part in the 70's and early 80's.
As I am sure you are all aware the kris is an integral part of Balinese life, ceremonies and festivities and denotes a man’s standing in society as well as being an important part of his formal attire when attending important functions.
The sad part for these people in question is that like so many others native to Bali they do not have Kris knives of their own and often need to borrow Kris for these said ceremonies. I could prattle on further...if there are any individuals out there who have balinese Kris and would like to travel to Bali and return these blades to these people first hand, please feel free to PM me and I will help co-ordinate anything I can.

very best regards

Gavin

A. G. Maisey · 2nd January 2008, 08:45 AM

Praiseworthy motivation, Freebooter, however, unless you present this keris in suitable dress, or provide the means for these people to suitably dress it themselves, I fear your objective of assistance may be met in a slightly different manner to that which you intend.

I assume it will be gifted to the banjar, not to an individual?

Gavin Nugent · 2nd January 2008, 12:59 PM

Thanks for your posting. These people in question do very much have the means to dress the Kris and will do suitably, I am activley looking for old Bali Kris and also blades only if they are of any quality as the rest is incidental to the cause, I too am trying to obtain some fossilised walrus tusk for their carvings but no one who has the tusk wants to ship outside the USA.
As for being received in a different manner than intended, this excercise has been done before and will be done again with much praise and thanks for caring about what matters to them.

thanks

Gavin

David · 2nd January 2008, 03:20 PM

Gavin, why fossilized walrus tusk? It is not a particularly traditional material for Bali keris dress.
As i scan the news of the day i am not sure that your friend did these people any favors "dragging" them, as you say into "the world as we know it today"

I also have a bit of trouble seeing how this particular keris is somehow being returned to it's "rightful heirs".
I am all in favor for seeing that people who want to stay in touch with their culture and tradition have that opportunity. I wonder though if a better way to do it might not be to provide new blades for this purpose as i doubt that these people have any actual family heirloom connection to most (or any) of the blades you are "returning" to them.

2nd January 2008, 06:55 AM	#1
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Old Kris for comment Hi, this is a very heavy and sturdy Kris that will be returned to Bali in 2008. I though you all might want a look before it finds it's way back to it's rightful heirs. regards Gavin Attached Images

2nd January 2008, 08:03 AM	#3
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	More to Bali than the BS of the tourist Mecca of Kuta. Thanks for your interest, The short and sweet of it all revolves around a very dear friend of mine and his love for a small group of people from Tampaksiring whom with very little help and 8 years of his life he "dragged" for want of a better word from the 10th century into the world as we know it today, all this took part in the 70's and early 80's. As I am sure you are all aware the kris is an integral part of Balinese life, ceremonies and festivities and denotes a man’s standing in society as well as being an important part of his formal attire when attending important functions. The sad part for these people in question is that like so many others native to Bali they do not have Kris knives of their own and often need to borrow Kris for these said ceremonies. I could prattle on further...if there are any individuals out there who have balinese Kris and would like to travel to Bali and return these blades to these people first hand, please feel free to PM me and I will help co-ordinate anything I can. very best regards Gavin

2nd January 2008, 12:59 PM	#5
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	The means Thanks for your posting. These people in question do very much have the means to dress the Kris and will do suitably, I am activley looking for old Bali Kris and also blades only if they are of any quality as the rest is incidental to the cause, I too am trying to obtain some fossilised walrus tusk for their carvings but no one who has the tusk wants to ship outside the USA. As for being received in a different manner than intended, this excercise has been done before and will be done again with much praise and thanks for caring about what matters to them. thanks Gavin

2nd January 2008, 07:19 AM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,893	You've piqued my interest, Freebooter. Can you tell us why you think this particular keris should be returned to Bali? Is there some reason why this keris is culturally important? I would be very interested in anything you feel inclined to tell us in this regard.

2nd January 2008, 08:45 AM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,893	Praiseworthy motivation, Freebooter, however, unless you present this keris in suitable dress, or provide the means for these people to suitably dress it themselves, I fear your objective of assistance may be met in a slightly different manner to that which you intend. I assume it will be gifted to the banjar, not to an individual?

2nd January 2008, 03:20 PM	#6
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,125	Gavin, why fossilized walrus tusk? It is not a particularly traditional material for Bali keris dress. As i scan the news of the day i am not sure that your friend did these people any favors "dragging" them, as you say into "the world as we know it today" I also have a bit of trouble seeing how this particular keris is somehow being returned to it's "rightful heirs". I am all in favor for seeing that people who want to stay in touch with their culture and tradition have that opportunity. I wonder though if a better way to do it might not be to provide new blades for this purpose as i doubt that these people have any actual family heirloom connection to most (or any) of the blades you are "returning" to them.