Borneo parang naibur--a mix of old and new

Ian · 23rd February 2018, 04:14 AM

Hello Kai,

Thanks for your detailed response. The information is greatly appreciated.

It is somehow refreshing to know that some things simply don't have a name! I was never happy with calling it a parang naibur, but could find nothing better in the sources I consulted. To learn that it has no recognized name is not surprising.

I agree that the blade is rather plain, but at the same time it is well made and seems to have some age to it. The sword is quite light in the hand and well balanced.

I'm planning to take this one with me to Australia, so I will likely remove the belt and the fur trim on the hilt. No sense in giving customs people things to be concerned about. I don't think that the loss of the belt and fur will detract from the item.

Ian

kai · 23rd February 2018, 07:37 AM

Hello Ian,

Quote:

Thanks for your detailed response. The information is greatly appreciated.

You're welcome! Wait for comments by the Dayak specialists before taking any conclusions as well as actions...

Quote:

I agree that the blade is rather plain, but at the same time it is well made and seems to have some age to it. The sword is quite light in the hand and well balanced.

Yes, it does't look like a toy (aka made as gift for foreigners or for sale to those who travel for pleasure). There may be a chance it was mainly made for ceremonial use.

Quote:

I don't think that the loss of the belt and fur will detract from the item.

The fur and the new additions certainly not. However, please post a pic of the reverse side of the scabbard and a close-up of the rattan attachment.

There may be a point of depositing it in a museum...

Regards,
Kai

Ian · 23rd February 2018, 02:56 PM

Thanks again Kai. Here are some pictures of the back of the scabbard with close ups of the rattan fittings.

I will not do anything drastic until hearing from more folks.

Ian.

Dajak · 24th February 2018, 09:40 PM

It don t even come close to an parang nabur.

http://old.blades.free.fr/swords/day...ayak_intro.htm

Ben

Ian · 25th February 2018, 07:18 AM

Ben:

Thank you for that succinct comment.

As I noted above, I'm not concerned about whether my sword is actually a parang naibur (or the absence of an agreed name for it)--perhaps it's closer to being a jimpul. My point in posting it was to learn more about what is considered old in style and what is new. Your earlier comment in another thread about thick and thin rattan on hilts was a starting point for my thinking about this.

Kai raised the possibility that it may have had a ceremonial function.

Ian.

Dajak · 25th February 2018, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

Ben:

Thank you for that succinct comment.

As I noted above, I'm not concerned about whether my sword is actually a parang naibur (or the absence of an agreed name for it)--perhaps it's closer to being a jimpul. My point in posting it was to learn more about what is considered old in style and what is new. Your earlier comment in another thread about thick and thin rattan on hilts was a starting point for my thinking about this.

Kai raised the possibility that it may have had a ceremonial function.

Ian.

The style is not old of the blade he come close to Jimpul style blade.

Scabbard also not the age you think.

Ben

Ian · 25th February 2018, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dajak

The style is not old of the blade he come close to Jimpul style blade.

Scabbard also not the age you think.

Ben

Ben,

Can you give me an estimate of how old you think the scabbard and blade may be? Kai has mentioned the scabbard is unusual. Do you agree?

Ian

kai · 25th February 2018, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Kai raised the possibility that it may have had a ceremonial function.

IMHO the blade is not old enough to have been used in any raids; maybe as a tool in the jungle though. Assuming it's vintage, ceremonies may have been its main purpose...

Regards,
Kai

kai · 25th February 2018, 04:51 PM

You're welcome, Ian!

Quote:

Here are some pictures of the back of the scabbard with close ups of the rattan fittings.

Doesn't look obviously suspect to me. The quality of the strap is low but I'd like input from any Iban specialists for the final verdict on age, etc.

Regards,
Kai

23rd February 2018, 02:56 PM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,396	Thanks again Kai. Here are some pictures of the back of the scabbard with close ups of the rattan fittings. I will not do anything drastic until hearing from more folks. Ian. Attached Images

24th February 2018, 09:40 PM	#4
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	It don t even come close to an parang nabur. http://old.blades.free.fr/swords/day...ayak_intro.htm Ben Last edited by Dajak; 24th February 2018 at 10:21 PM.

23rd February 2018, 04:14 AM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,396	Hello Kai, Thanks for your detailed response. The information is greatly appreciated. It is somehow refreshing to know that some things simply don't have a name! I was never happy with calling it a parang naibur, but could find nothing better in the sources I consulted. To learn that it has no recognized name is not surprising. I agree that the blade is rather plain, but at the same time it is well made and seems to have some age to it. The sword is quite light in the hand and well balanced. I'm planning to take this one with me to Australia, so I will likely remove the belt and the fur trim on the hilt. No sense in giving customs people things to be concerned about. I don't think that the loss of the belt and fur will detract from the item. Ian

25th February 2018, 07:18 AM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,396	Ben: Thank you for that succinct comment. As I noted above, I'm not concerned about whether my sword is actually a parang naibur (or the absence of an agreed name for it)--perhaps it's closer to being a jimpul. My point in posting it was to learn more about what is considered old in style and what is new. Your earlier comment in another thread about thick and thin rattan on hilts was a starting point for my thinking about this. Kai raised the possibility that it may have had a ceremonial function. Ian.