Origin of the Tombak?

[kai]

Hello Bill,

From a Javanese perspective any spear with a methuk at the base of the blade qualifies as a tombak (no methuk - no tombak); the methuk can be forged seperately or being integral like keris blades with gonjo iras. OTOH, the name tombak apparently spread into many languages across the archipelago and is locally being used for spears which don't follow the Javanese construction/definition.

AFAIK, the Javanese custom of keeping tombak blades on a shortened pole is a relatively recent development for convenient storage of a weapon which has become obsolete during the colonial period. While this custom can be expected to spread, I find that most peoples on surrounding islands still prefer keeping their heirloom spears at full length...

And, yes, being probably the first dedicated weapon of mankind, spears do end up becoming heirlooms as well as status symbols quite commonly. However, beside keris, many other types of swords and local blade types can become pusaka (including royal heirlooms).

Regards,
Kai