Dayak Iban body armor?

Bill M · 27th November 2006, 11:42 AM

Well, not all weapons are made of steel, brass, wood and ivory.

This Iban jacket is ex Mark Johnson and Robert Caldwell. The seller says:

"Iban Dayak Culture, Sarawak Region, Borneo, late 19th Century. This is a very rare Man's war/hunting jacket or "kalambi"; the women weave these special jackets to protect their men from the arrows of the enemy and the evil spirits of the forests. Woven from hand grown, handspun cotton, with Ikat dyed main panels with rare Kilim or slit tapestry weave bottom border. The native dyes used are Kumba root for the red and Indigo blue to create rare anthropomorphic "engkaramba" protective spirit figures.

See Tribal Magazine number 29, Winter 2002. Measuring 107 x 61cm. (42 x 24")"

But a bit faded. The colors were originally much brighter. Apologies for the front picture looking distorted. Jacket was not laying flat when I took the pictures.

The Mandau on the left in my display picture is the longest in my small Dayak collection. OAL 25". The small knife on the back has a distinctly Batak influence.

Dajak · 27th November 2006, 12:12 PM

Hi Bill nice display these are just jackets to wear not used for armour
here a picture from mine jacket this one has no sleeve s

Bill M · 27th November 2006, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dajak

Hi Bill nice display these are just jackets to wear not used for armour
here a picture from mine jacket this one has no sleeve s

Hi Ben,

I understand that cloth will not stop a blade, but didn't the Iban wear these as a kind of armor to keep them safe from enemies, both physical and spiritual?

It is my understanding that they feared spiritual attacks from deceased animals, enemies and inimical spirits.

Not all armor is hard metal or horn. Not all weapons have an immediate utilitarian function. Do you agree?

Or did the Iban wear jackets like these strictly for modesty or decoratiive social outings?

VVV · 27th November 2006, 12:53 PM

Hi Bill,

Could you share some pictures of the blades etc. on your three Mandau?
I am especially interested in the one with wooden hilt.

Michael

Dajak · 27th November 2006, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Marsh

Hi Ben,

Or did the Iban wear jackets like these strictly for modesty or decoratiive social outings?

I think that it is also for social and ritual outings

Ben

VANDOO · 27th November 2006, 05:10 PM

NICE JACKET!! FROM WHAT LITTLE I KNOW ABOUT IKATS (THE PATTERNS AND STYLE OF WEAVING ,COLORS ECT ALL HAVE SPECIAL MEANINGS AND CAN BE INTENDED TO BRING LUCK, PROTECT FROM EVIL SPIRITS,BRING WEALTH ,DENOTE STATUS IDENTIFY A TRIBE OR GROUP AND MANY OTHER PURPOSES. SOME DYES AND PATTERNS WERE ONLY ALLOWED TO BE OWNED OR WORN BY CERTIAN PEOPLE OR AT CERTIAN CEREMONYS. THESE BELIEFS ARE MOSTLY IN THE PAST NOW AND ONLY IMPORTANT TO THOSE WHO SELL,MAKE OR COLLECT IKATS TODAY. NOT BEING A IKAT COLLECTOR EXCEPT FOR DECOR I KNOW VERY LITTLE BUT THERE ARE MANY SERIOUS COLLECTORS OUT THERE AND IKATS ARE JUST AS COMPLICATED AS WEAPONS PERHAPS MORE SO. I WOULD NOT CLASSIFY THE GARMENTS AS ARMOR BUT THEY MAY SHOW STATUS OR HAVE TAILSMANIC PROPERTIES

Dajak · 27th November 2006, 06:49 PM

Hi Vandoo it is no ikat Iban call it pua when the Ibans came home with the heads their woman stand already with the Pua to put the heads in it

see pic

27th November 2006, 11:42 AM	#1
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	Dayak Iban body armor? Well, not all weapons are made of steel, brass, wood and ivory. This Iban jacket is ex Mark Johnson and Robert Caldwell. The seller says: "Iban Dayak Culture, Sarawak Region, Borneo, late 19th Century. This is a very rare Man's war/hunting jacket or "kalambi"; the women weave these special jackets to protect their men from the arrows of the enemy and the evil spirits of the forests. Woven from hand grown, handspun cotton, with Ikat dyed main panels with rare Kilim or slit tapestry weave bottom border. The native dyes used are Kumba root for the red and Indigo blue to create rare anthropomorphic "engkaramba" protective spirit figures. See Tribal Magazine number 29, Winter 2002. Measuring 107 x 61cm. (42 x 24")" But a bit faded. The colors were originally much brighter. Apologies for the front picture looking distorted. Jacket was not laying flat when I took the pictures. The Mandau on the left in my display picture is the longest in my small Dayak collection. OAL 25". The small knife on the back has a distinctly Batak influence. Attached Images

27th November 2006, 12:12 PM	#2
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	Hi Bill nice display these are just jackets to wear not used for armour here a picture from mine jacket this one has no sleeve s Attached Images

27th November 2006, 06:49 PM	#7
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	Hi Vandoo it is no ikat Iban call it pua when the Ibans came home with the heads their woman stand already with the Pua to put the heads in it see pic Attached Images

27th November 2006, 12:53 PM	#4
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Hi Bill, Could you share some pictures of the blades etc. on your three Mandau? I am especially interested in the one with wooden hilt. Michael

27th November 2006, 05:10 PM	#6
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	NICE JACKET!! FROM WHAT LITTLE I KNOW ABOUT IKATS (THE PATTERNS AND STYLE OF WEAVING ,COLORS ECT ALL HAVE SPECIAL MEANINGS AND CAN BE INTENDED TO BRING LUCK, PROTECT FROM EVIL SPIRITS,BRING WEALTH ,DENOTE STATUS IDENTIFY A TRIBE OR GROUP AND MANY OTHER PURPOSES. SOME DYES AND PATTERNS WERE ONLY ALLOWED TO BE OWNED OR WORN BY CERTIAN PEOPLE OR AT CERTIAN CEREMONYS. THESE BELIEFS ARE MOSTLY IN THE PAST NOW AND ONLY IMPORTANT TO THOSE WHO SELL,MAKE OR COLLECT IKATS TODAY. NOT BEING A IKAT COLLECTOR EXCEPT FOR DECOR I KNOW VERY LITTLE BUT THERE ARE MANY SERIOUS COLLECTORS OUT THERE AND IKATS ARE JUST AS COMPLICATED AS WEAPONS PERHAPS MORE SO. I WOULD NOT CLASSIFY THE GARMENTS AS ARMOR BUT THEY MAY SHOW STATUS OR HAVE TAILSMANIC PROPERTIES