The Size of the Keris

[A. G. Maisey]

Yes David, the keris is a weapon that is used in Pencak Silat, and in other related SE Asian martial art forms, and within this sphere there is an etiquette and mythology attached to the keris. Some schools will not permit a student to own a keris until the student has reached a particular level.

However, this is not Javanese society --- nor any of the other Indonesian societies.

I sincerely doubt that it is the use of a keris as an implement employed in PS that inspired the soapies. I'd guess it is more likely that the Indonesian mock history TV dramas were inspired by westerns out of Hollywood, or maybe Japanese Samurai films. They would use Javanese myths and legends and dramatise them in very lavish fashion with keris fights that were straight out of movies like "Gunfight at the OK Corral" & etc.

They can be good fun to watch --- as long as you don't confuse them with reality.

Actually, Ole Wyatt was a man whose method of combat was in many instances pretty much in line with the Javanese way of doing things and with Sun Tzu too, for that matter:- whack 'em quick, whack 'em hard and before they even know they're gonna get whacked. Well, at least from what I've read of him, that's the way he preferred to do it --- as would any self respecting sensible person.