A Balinese Keris for Analysis

[kai]

Hello Alan,

I did not mention Sasak culture/language/whatever?

If kepompong is Indonesian only as expected, it is clearly modern usage.

That the word kusia was known in Klungkung for such a type of hilt in the early 20th century seems to be a rather convincing bit of trivia that would be rather hard to get wrong. This seems to suggest that it isn't limited to Lombok (as expected from the close ties for the Balinese population on [parts of] both islands).

Whether something is kocetkocetan or kusia or whether they are both the same is subject to opinion too. EK makes the differentiation subject to the presence of tusks.

Ok, let's assume that this is based on a genuine Balinese source. So, what do tusks signify/symbolize in Balinese religion/culture?

Regards,
Kai