PAKARANG KALAMANTAN ( BORNEO BLADES ):

[Amuk Murugul]

..... another example .....

12. BADI DJAMBIA

Name:
Desc: Badi Djambia KALAMANTAN
Tags: Badik , Djamiah , Janbia , Janbiya , Jambia , Jambiya .
Char:
Blade: LxOALxWxT=19x31x4.71x0.36cm.
Handle: Wood.
Wt: 202g.
Sheath: Wood w/ brass bands and toe.

[Ian]

Thank you Amuk. Very useful reference. Are the primary names you use Dutch or local terms?

Ian

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Ian

Are the primary names you use Dutch or local terms?

So far I know it's Sundanese language!

[Amuk Murugul]

Originally Posted by Ian

Thank you Amuk. Very useful reference. Are the primary names you use Dutch or local terms?

Ian

Hullo Ian,
The primary names are 'local'.
As you can appreciate, as there is such a plethora of languages/dialects etc., two adjacent villages on the same river bank may not understand each other's native speech and also, there may be different terms for the same item even by people of the same ethnic group but of a different location.
I have chosen the terms I am most comfortable with and left any other terms as 'Tags' (probably the most annoying thing is my system of spelling; however, it suits me very well ).
Best

[Amuk Murugul]

Hullo everybody,

I haven’t, as yet, posted about that most iconic/well-recognized of Kalimantan’s bush-knives, now generally referred to as ’mandaw / mandau'.
As there are quite a large number of variations of this blade, I thought a brief explanation and a diagram (which I have reconstructed from one I made many moons ago as a memory/communication aid) may be more useful.

Best,


Doekoeh / dukuh :

As people’s swiddens were often some distance away from the settlement, they sometimes constructed huts on their swiddens, where, during their working day, they could rest, have meals, take shelter and on occasions, stay overnight. These huts were known as ‘doekoeh’. The daily tools they used on the swidden became generally known as ‘doekoeh’, particularly the ‘chopper/bush-knife’, which rarely left their side.
(Variation in spelling: duku’, duku, duko etc.)

Mandaw / mandau :

The word originated in central Kalamantan, from an ancient language formerly spoken by a few groups ( such as the Ngadjoe / Biadjoe) but now confined to a small group of individuals . It defined the dual function of the blade: as a daily tool and as an instrument of war.
Mandaws were usually stored in their (communal) houses and only brought out for war or for defence (of the community). They were regarded as sacred objects whose perceived power increased with the prowess ( spiritual/mystical ) of the owner. In time, these objects were handed down and became sacred heirlooms, thus adding to their aura/mystique.
When a pair of blades were made, one was designated ‘female’ and the other ‘male’, with the female one usually being slightly shorter. Male blades were taken to war, while female ones remained for the protection of family/home and ceremonies/rituals.

Not all people had a mandaw as well as a doekoeh. Indeed, sometimes the mandaw and the doekoeh were one and the same. Thus a doekoeh, under the right circumstances, could become a mandaw.
In the beginning, individuals made their own implements; but as settlements grew in size, this was carried out by a local smith.

Today, ‘mandaw’ is accepted as referring to any iconic blade which represents a group’s identity.

[Amuk Murugul]

Hullo everybody!

Just like to share this ‘memory aid’ and some examples.

Best,

[Amuk Murugul]

Hullo everybody,

..... a couple of not-so-usual karit .....

Best,

14A. KARIT BADAW / BADAU

Blade: LxOALxWxT=54x68x1.98x1.10cm. Both sides: Posterior-fretwork along last 3rd. of blade; posterior twin-grooves from fretwork to bottom-end of shoulder; scrollwork on shoulder-sides.

Handle: Wood, toenan(short-handle), gegkem belawan(metal-grip), oeloeh teloengan betjoek(pitcher-pommel).

Wt: 755g.


14B. KARIT ILANG

Blade: LxOALxWxT=56x69x1.55x0..98cm.

Handle: Wood, toenan, gegkem belawan, oeloeh teloengan betjoek.

Wt: 530g.

[Amuk Murugul]

Hullo everybody,

Photo of rather uncommon knives for sharing.
Enjoy!

15A. PINGELANIT

Desc: Joeoe lanit KELABIT HIGHLANDS
Blade: LxOALxWxT=23.5x34x2.02x0.51xcm.
Handle: Kajoeh(wood), toenan, gegkem belanga’, oeloeh boesak doeeh.
Wt: 160g.


15B. PEIT

Desc: Peit KOETEI
Blade: LxOALxWxT=13x24x2.18x0.65cm.
Handle: Buffalo-horn().
Wt: 110g.

Best,