old keris for comments

A. G. Maisey · 2nd May 2014, 07:53 AM

James, in recent years there has been a tendency for some people to claim that the keris is not, and in fact never has been a weapon, in spite of the more than ample evidence to the contrary.

I am not one of those people. Nor are any of the truly knowledgeable keris people whom I know in Jawa. Nor were the Balinese people of pre-puputan days.

The keris is a weapon, but it is unique amongst functional weapons in that it has characteristics that make it more than a weapon.

We may view it as a work of art, as a store of wealth, as a status marker, as a talisman, as a personal shrine, as a link between the members of a kin group, as a link between the Seen and Unseen Worlds, or we may view it as weapon. It all depends upon personal orientation.

2nd May 2014, 07:53 AM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,990	James, in recent years there has been a tendency for some people to claim that the keris is not, and in fact never has been a weapon, in spite of the more than ample evidence to the contrary. I am not one of those people. Nor are any of the truly knowledgeable keris people whom I know in Jawa. Nor were the Balinese people of pre-puputan days. The keris is a weapon, but it is unique amongst functional weapons in that it has characteristics that make it more than a weapon. We may view it as a work of art, as a store of wealth, as a status marker, as a talisman, as a personal shrine, as a link between the members of a kin group, as a link between the Seen and Unseen Worlds, or we may view it as weapon. It all depends upon personal orientation.