Bugis handle - translation script

alexish · 23rd March 2018, 02:28 AM

Dear collectors,

Can you help me translate what appears to look like Arabic script on an ivory Minangkabau keris handle?

Green · 23rd March 2018, 12:27 PM

looks like 'Allah' in arabic script

jagabuwana · 28th March 2018, 10:56 PM

To add on to Green's translation / transliteration of the first handle, it is the Shahada as he has said, but it is truncated. Instead of "...Muhammad ar-rasoolallah" (Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah) it is shortened to just "Muhammad ar-rasoolu" (.. is The Prophet).

I don't recognise what's on the Celebes ivory handle. It kinda looks like Sanskrit, or a script derived from it.

I also don't recognise the last photo as any script at all.

Paul B. · 29th March 2018, 07:41 AM

Thanks for the additional information.
Personally, even if I cannot translate Arab language, I have doubts about the scipt of Alexis handle.

Herewith I add two worn papers with texting which I found inserted in a pendok of a Djogja keris. It seems like a mantra and different scripts like Arab, old Javanese and sanskrit are involved ?
Hope anyone can be of any help.

Green · 29th March 2018, 04:50 PM

interesting... it is arabic alphabets written in bahasa melayu (malay) with arabic signs which is not normally used in malay words written in arabic script.
Also, the alphabets are writen separately which is not the usual case where certain alphabets can be connected.

From the rather poorly written alphabets I guess it is written by someone not very adept in writing arabic script and the use of signs above and below each alphabet is either to make it simpler for readers to read or the writer wants to make it look like quranic verses?

The first few words read

Bahawa ini surat maka di wasilkan(?) nya ke bawah duli ...

Here is a letter ??? to his highness... ???

I can't read many of the writings but it would be interesting to get some one to translate it fully.

Paul B. · 29th March 2018, 07:03 PM

Thanks again!
Do you think these sheets are related to the kris? Nowadays people use any kind of paper incl. the newspaper to fill the gap between a pendok and the gandar.

Green · 30th March 2018, 01:22 AM

i have no idea... but this paper does not look like random scraps to pad the pendok to me... i may be wrong though...

23rd March 2018, 02:28 AM	#1
alexish Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Posts: 127	Script on handle for translation Dear collectors, Can you help me translate what appears to look like Arabic script on an ivory Minangkabau keris handle? Attached Images

29th March 2018, 07:41 AM	#4
Paul B. Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 205	Thanks for the additional information. Personally, even if I cannot translate Arab language, I have doubts about the scipt of Alexis handle. Herewith I add two worn papers with texting which I found inserted in a pendok of a Djogja keris. It seems like a mantra and different scripts like Arab, old Javanese and sanskrit are involved ? Hope anyone can be of any help. Attached Images

23rd March 2018, 12:27 PM	#2
Green Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Malaysia Posts: 323	looks like 'Allah' in arabic script

28th March 2018, 10:56 PM	#3
jagabuwana Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 291	To add on to Green's translation / transliteration of the first handle, it is the Shahada as he has said, but it is truncated. Instead of "...Muhammad ar-rasoolallah" (Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah) it is shortened to just "Muhammad ar-rasoolu" (.. is The Prophet). I don't recognise what's on the Celebes ivory handle. It kinda looks like Sanskrit, or a script derived from it. I also don't recognise the last photo as any script at all.

29th March 2018, 04:50 PM	#5
Green Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Malaysia Posts: 323	interesting... it is arabic alphabets written in bahasa melayu (malay) with arabic signs which is not normally used in malay words written in arabic script. Also, the alphabets are writen separately which is not the usual case where certain alphabets can be connected. From the rather poorly written alphabets I guess it is written by someone not very adept in writing arabic script and the use of signs above and below each alphabet is either to make it simpler for readers to read or the writer wants to make it look like quranic verses? The first few words read Bahawa ini surat maka di wasilkan(?) nya ke bawah duli ... Here is a letter ??? to his highness... ??? I can't read many of the writings but it would be interesting to get some one to translate it fully.

29th March 2018, 07:03 PM	#6
Paul B. Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Posts: 205	Thanks again! Do you think these sheets are related to the kris? Nowadays people use any kind of paper incl. the newspaper to fill the gap between a pendok and the gandar.

30th March 2018, 01:22 AM	#7
Green Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Malaysia Posts: 323	i have no idea... but this paper does not look like random scraps to pad the pendok to me... i may be wrong though...