Types of Keris

[Spunjer]

ok, i would like to ask a general question in regards to the indonesian keris. i'm definitely out of my comfort zone here, and i'm trying to make sense about the keris classification. in the moro realm, a collector can split up the different type of kris according to the major tribes, namely Maranao, Maguindanao, and Sulu. how would you do that with the indonesian keris? here's what i know so far:
Bali Keris
Bugis Keris
Jawa Keris
Sulawesi Keris
Pattani Keris (kingfisher)
is there anything else i'm missing? how can you tell the difference between those kerises?

[Shakethetrees]

Good questions!

As a relative newbie here, I've been trying to get up to speed on this topic as well!

[A. G. Maisey]

This is a really great question, its so basic, yet for somebody who is not into keris it is clear that identification of the various broad classifications can be a total mystery.

I'm not going to attempt to answer this in detail, I'll leave that to everybody else, but I will say this:-

It is possible to identify the geographic point of origin of most varieties of both complete keris, and keris blades.

A complete keris will not infrequently have a blade that has come from a different place than the scabbard, hilt, and other fittings, but the complete keris is classified by what can be seen when the keris is in its scabbard.

When the keris is removed from its scabbard and the blade can be seen, the legitimate classification should include the geographic origin of the blade, if this can be identified. So we would get a classification such as: " a Javanese keris from Jogjakarta with a Bugis blade"

If our members here feel inclined, I could see this thread turn into a classic with pictures of all the different types of keris we can identify, and all those which we cannot identify also.

[Jean]

Hi Spunger,
I will just try to amend and complete your classification list of Indonesian krisses by origin as follows:
. Javanese krisses (Central Java, East Java, North Coast, West Java)
. Madurese krisses
. Bali/ Lombok krisses
. Sulawesi & Sumbawa krisses (Bugis)
. Sumatra krisses (South Sumatra, Jambi, Riau (bahari & panjang), Riau Lingga (Bugis), Minangkabau/ West Sumatra, Gayo, Aceh)
. Kalimantan (Borneo) krisses (Banjarmasin, Moro)

There are of course many sub-types and specific types of krisses such as the Yogyakarta and Solo krisses in Central Java, Toraja krisses in Sulawesi, etc. and this classification can be disputed and amended as required.

Pattani is located in Thailand so should be excluded.
Regards

[Gajah]

Great topic, I was a little shy to ask such a basic question myself, but am glad it comes up now.

Originally Posted by Jean

Pattani is located in Thailand so should be excluded.

Was this style of keris not also produced in Malaysia and across the straits in Sumatra?

[Spunjer]

thank you Alan and Jean.
it's fairly common practice among the moros to do the same thing, as in a mishmash of different handle, blade and scabbard from a different tribes, but a good place to start would be a complete keris in a scabbard. a picture or two from those individual places Jean mentioned would be great as well.
as a collector, this would be a good starting point, as in acquiring an example from each of those location.

[David]

Originally Posted by Jean

Pattani is located in Thailand so should be excluded.

You are not incorrect given the question, however i believe Ron is making a division between Moro kris and Malay/Indonesian keris when he asks about the various types of Indo keris. If i am correct in that assumptions then Pattini keris should indeed be included (though not technically Indonesian) as well as other Malay Peninsula keris that would include Terrengganu and Kelantan.
Ron, the "kingfisher" variety you mention might better be referred to as Tajong since most folks seem to agree that these long-nosed beaks are probably more likely based on a Wayang character rather than the kingfisher bird.
Another classification missing so far is the Malay sundang which much resembles the Moro variety kris in size and design.

[Spunjer]

there are so many ways and reasons to collect kerises. in my case, i'm starting to feel enamored with these beauties, and i would like to approach this as getting an example from different areas, for starters. yes, even though the pattani tajong (thanks, David!) is not considered as Indonesian, i would like to acquire an example from this area as well.
the tajong, or coteng, are pretty easy to spot, being that the pommel is quite unique, and it really stands out. as far as the indonesian varieties, that's when it gets muddled, for me anyways...

[Bjorn]

Hi Spunjer,

It's great you're already familiar with the distinction between dress and blade. Alan's example of a Yogyakarta keris with a bugis blade was a very good one to illustrate this point.

I still feel like e newbie myself when it comes to keris (there is just so much to learn) but I will try and help you a bit with some of the different types of dress.

In Java, you will see two types of dress in abundace, i.e. the gayaman and the ladrang. The former was used for everyday situations while the latter was (and is) for formal occasions.

The below photos contain examples of gayaman style and ladrang style from the Surakarta (also known as Solo). Surakarta and Yogyakarta both have their own versions of the two styles. Hopefully someone else will add some Yogyakarta examples for comparison.

Surakarta and Yogyakarta are both sultanates, and during the Dutch presence they were largely bereft of political power, which left them to focus on becoming patrons of Javanese culture and art. The Surakarta and Yogyakarta forms thus epitomise the most graceful forms of both the blades and the dress. The further you move away from these centres, the more variation you will find.

[Bjorn]

And Surakarta ladrang style.
There is actually an existing thread that delves a bit deeper into the differences between Surakarta and Yogyakarta dress.

[Sajen]

Hello Ron,

lifelong undertaking! And special because I am sure that you will look for the better examples!

Will show you some more examples, here at first a gayaman Yogya keris, Java.

[Sajen]

A branggah keris from Yogya.

[Sajen]

A Cirebon keris, Java.

[Sajen]

One of the numerous forms of Madura keris, a classic daunan keris.

[Sajen]

A keris sajen, a must-have for keris collectors.

[Sajen]

A batun puh keris from Bali or Lombok.

[Sajen]

A kekandikan keris from Bali.

[Sajen]

A kekojongan keris from Lombok/Bali.

[Sajen]

Two keris from South Sumatra, Palembang.

[Sajen]

A possible Jambi keris, Sumatra.

[Sajen]

A small Minangkabau keris, Sumatra.

[Sajen]

A keris panjang, Sumatra.

[Sajen]

Two keris Bugis.

[Sajen]

A possible Sumbawa keris.

[Sajen]

A Peninsula keris, I think Terengganu. Sorry for the fuzzy picture. My cat like this keris.

[Sajen]

At last my Tajong keris.

The here shown keris are by far not all types and origins you can find but I want to let others also something to show!

[Gavin Nugent]

The Keris appeal...

Great Question Ron, and one I'll never fully understand in my lifetime so praise the forum and its generous members and other collectors who give their precious time, I am in debt to both.

I got caught on some time back when I first obtained the Kelling Hall collection and started to become a closet Keris collector and the more I look and learn the more I feel like Russel Crowe writing on walls in "A Beautiful Mind"...If I kept writing notes I'd fill the walls of the house on what's from where with how many things in the Keris world came to be and melded together in different regions over the centuries...I've also learnt even the most learned student may not see eye to eye perfectly due to such a massive cross regional influence in the seas south of Asia.

This is my only Java Keris, one I know very little about. The rest of my 40 something collection is from Pattani, Malaysia and Sumatra...I personally find these the most appealing.

Gavin

[Spunjer]

it's definitely a hugh undertaking, something that has to be taken very patiently. for now i'm trying to approach this from the biggest to the smallest, kinda like taxonomy. i reckon starting with general locations would be, well, a good place to start.
Bali seems to stand out, and so are Bugis. thanks for the basic breakdown on Java, yuuzan, i'm starting to see the difference. Detlef, thanks for the pictures. they're big help! let me ask you this though: what's the difference between the branggah keris, cirebon keris and the madura keris??? sure the pommels are different, but from my novice eyes, the wrangka on the scabbard look similar?

[Spunjer]

also, what's a peninsular keris?

btw, thanks for the posting your keris, Gavin. beautiful indeed!

[kai]

Hello Ron,

let me ask you this though: what's the difference between the branggah keris, cirebon keris and the madura keris??? sure the pommels are different, but from my novice eyes, the wrangka on the scabbard look similar?

Yup, similar. Look for the differences though!

also, what's a peninsular keris?

Malay peninsula, a geographic term that includes some areas nowadays under Thai administration.

btw, thanks for the posting your keris, Gavin. beautiful indeed!

Yeah, forumites seem to do their best to spoil Ron...

Regards,
Kai