PAKARANG KASOENDAN (Weapons of the Soenda)

[Amuk Murugul]

Hullo everybody!
The following may be useful:

Pakarang Tjatoerangga, the four quintessential implements of the praboe(=warrior-noble) class.
Please excuse the poor-quality picture; it’s merely for simple illustration.
Referring from left to right:


1.Pedang Abet Pamoek (=leader’s sabre)
In this case:
Name: Ki Panoenggoel
Desc: Pedang Tilam Woewoengan SOEMEDANGLARANG 19thC .
Char: Djekong .
Blade: LxOALxWxT=58X69.53.04X0.83cm. Curved; Distal-taper.
Handle: Silver Toemang w/ ruby eyes.
Wt: 550g.
Sheath: Silver w/ embossed widjaja.


2.Golok (=bush-knife)
In this case:
Name: Ki Pamoengbang
Desc: Gobang Woewoengan TJIBATOE 19thC .
Char: Roeroentjangan , Djekong .
Blade: LxOALxWxT=51.5x66x3.95x0.72cm. V.slightly-curved; Distal-taper.
Handle: Horn tjeker-mentjek, brass-rivetted (3) to gagang, brass seloet.
Wt: 503g.
Sheath: Horn djamprak, brass simeut-meuting/daoen, brass bands(one w/ belt-ring) and sopal.
Comments: Gobang is a long golok kitted out as a sword, thus lighter but still functional as a bush-knife.


3.Doehoeng (=armorial/totem dagger)
In this case:
Doehoeng Panjinglar Bala (=wards off misfortune)
Name: Ki Rangga Panengah
Desc: Doehoeng Sampana Toempeng 13 Eloek SOENDA PAKOEAN .
Char: 13-eloek , Kembang-katjang , Kotjop , Widja , Oepih , Djanoer .
Blade: LxOALxWxT=35.5x40.5x8.77x1.51cm.
Handle: Wood, Laksamana(=Rama’s brother, known for his ‘magic line’).
Wt: 360g.
Sheath: Wood, Djongan w/ white-metal mouth & chape.


4.Peso Teundeut (=push-dagger)
In this case:
Name: Ki Panjeuhil
Desc: Peso Teundeut TJIKEROEH .
Char: -
Blade: LxAOLxWxT=22.5x34x1.93x0.71cm.
Handle: Wood w/ twine.
Wt: 153g.
Sheath: Steel w/ white-metal mounts.
Comments: Made by Ki Tanoedimadja, 1910.

It was brought to my attention that one may need the following refs.:

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=19260
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=24136

Best,

[Amuk Murugul]

Hullo everybody,
FYI.

KOEDJANG:

The Koedjang is a traditional implement which has become synonymous with Oerang Soenda identity.
It started life as a simple farming tool (viz. the arit/sickle) and evolved into what it is today.

As a traditional symbol, its protocol virtually restricted the use of the variety of koedjang to the Pangreh Pradja/Prijaji (‘rulers of the realm’/governing bureaucracy), leaving only the basic farming-tool type for the common people.
Although the clergy were also allocated use of the koedjang, they were primarily as talismanic symbols of the clergy’s function: to nurture and protect the spiritual strength of the realm.


Koedjang Anatomy( ref. illustration 1 )

Waroega ( Body/Blade )
Tjongo/Papatoek ( Tip/Beak ), for gouging
Beuteung ( Stomach/Front Edge ), sharp edge for cutting/slicing
Tonggong ( Back/Back Edge ), sharp edge for cutting/slicing
Eloek ( Arc ), along the tonggong
Siih/Tjoetjoek ( Spur/Thorn ), along the tonggong; for ripping/tearing
Mata ( Eye/Eyelet ), along the tonggong (1-9, odd number); filled with precious metal. (Illustration 1 shows a koedjang-boepati, 5 eyelets)
Tadah ( Collector ), for blocking/disarming
Paksi/Boentoet/Paseuk ( Tang, inside Landean )
Seloet (Metal Spacer/Ring ), for firm handling
Pamor ( Damascene ), for poison retention
Tjombong ( Hole ), tang-hole in handle
Landean/Perah ( Handle )
Kopak/Kowak/Sarangka/Saroeng ( Sheath )


Basic Koedjang classification:

Tjioeng ( Whistling Thrush ): both illustrations are examples of this type
Djago/Hajam ( Rooster )
Koentoel ( Egret )
Bangkong ( Frog )
Naga ( Serpent )
Badak ( Rhinoceros )
Pamangkas ( Cutter/Clipper/Chopper/Slasher, a farming tool ): for common folk, typically a sickle or billhook
Bikang ( Female ): for females of nobility and those with definite functions
- Tjioeng
- Koentoel
Koedi: for females only
Boeta ( Blind ): has no eyelets

Koedjang Length: About two handspans (~ 42cm.), from point of blade to end of handle.
Koedjang Bikang: They were only half the size of the normal Koedjang.
Koedi: It is similar to the Koedjang, but with similar twin edges, serrated, with spurs and no beuteung or tonggong. It is the same size as the Koedjang Bikang. They are made of steel, finer than the Koedjang and like Koedjang Boeta, don’t have eyelets.

An anomaly:
The koedjang emblem for the regency of Bogor has FOUR eyelets.
This is because when the then Dutch governor-general created this regency (1689), (traditionally) it did not have the population to warrant a boepati/regent (5 eyelets). Thus the first ‘boepati’ of Bogor was a wadana (one level lower than boepati; 3 eyelets) but officially treated as a boepati. So actually, he was a kind of 'wadana-boepati', a thus-created new 'rank'. To reflect this, a fourth eyelet was added to the blade of his koedjang, but opposite the normal position ( ref. illustration 2 ). This koedjang indicates a rank higher than a wadana but lower than a boepati.

Best,

[Amuk Murugul]

Hullo everybody!

Just to share:
A 21st century Koedjang Tjioeng Mata5.
It is traditionally folded and finished using modern tools.
The pamor is 'coloured'.

Best,

[Amuk Murugul]

Hullo again everybody!

Just to share:
Left - pedang/side-arm of the original Korps Marechaussee.
Right - golok/side-arm of KNIL.

Best,

[jagabuwana]

Sampurasun!

Are these part of your private collection or can they be viewed publicly?

I'm very intrigued by no. 3 - I've not seen this kind of handle before. Might you have other examples?

Also, why do you opt to spell using Dutch orthography? Is this part of the written form of "basa jero" that you've referenced previously?

[Amuk Murugul]

Originally Posted by jagabuwana

Sampurasun!

Are these part of your private collection or can they be viewed publicly?

I'm very intrigued by no. 3 - I've not seen this kind of handle before. Might you have other examples?

Also, why do you opt to spell using Dutch orthography? Is this part of the written form of "basa jero" that you've referenced previously?

Rampes …..

I always try to post examples from my family collection; thus not for ’public viewing'.

I am not sure what you mean.
The handle on '#1/3.’ is just a bajang handle, of which there are several in the collection(it’s only out-of-focus).
‘#3’ is just a staghorn handle.

I choose the spelling system which best suits my needs. It gives uniformity and allows ‘freedom of access and movement’ within the Malajoe archipelago.

Tjag.

[David]

Originally Posted by Amuk Murugul

I choose the spelling system which best suits my needs. It gives uniformity and allows ‘freedom of access and movement’ within the Malajoe archipelago.

Amuk, i certainly respect your right to use "the spelling system which best suits <your> needs". That said, i really must point out that just about every time you do post with these anachronistic spellings they cause confusion and questions from our members. So it should be obvious to you at this point that what best suits your own needs only confuses a large part of our membership. In the past you have acknowledged this and i even remember you saying at one point that you would post in the more modern and understandable form. I guess you have dismissed that idea at this point. I am not telling you that you cannot continue using these spellings, but i do what you to clearly understand that it is often problematic for others when you do.

[A. G. Maisey]

Actually David, I rather enjoy Amuk's archaic and sometimes puzzling spellings. They refresh my memories and take me back to when I first began to learn Bahasa Indonesia. Yeah, I know, I'm not everybody else, but surely we can tolerate his convoluted spellings for the sake of his interesting photos?

When I began learning Bahasa Indonesia the old Dutch spelling was still being used, and my first dictionaries and text books were all the old spellings --- except for the Dutch "oe" instead of "u", that was changed in , I think, 1947, the other changes did not become official until 1972.

It is interesting to compare Indonesian romanisation and Malaysian romanisation. Sir Richard Winstead was responsible for the romanisation of Malay, and this first appeared in his Malay - English dictionary in 1908.

The old Dutch spelling system was in place from early in the 20th century, pre-1910, through to 1947, when it was replaced by the new National spelling system, I'm not sure, but I think this new system was called the "Republik" system. The old Dutch system had been invented by a gentleman with a name I cannot spell, it was something like van Ophuisen. Then in 1972 the present system that we use was introduced.

Interestingly, Malaysia did not exist until late in 1963, prior to that it had been Malaya, which of course was Melayu, because the Winstead spelling system was well and truly in place.

Actually, the term "Malay Archipelago" was an invention of Lord Alfred Wallace, he also called the same islands the "Indian Archipelago". Its a bit difficult to understand how the term "Malajoe archipelago" could ever have existed. Maybe "Kepuluan Malayoe" or "Kepuluan Malaju" or even "Kepuluan Melajoe", but then we have the problem of either Dutch or Indonesian nationalists ceding naming rights of Dutch or Indonesian territory to those difficult Malays, then using an English language term, expressed with Dutch spelling. It never happened.

For the Dutch, the islands that we now think of as "Indonesia" were known as "Nederland Indie", for indigenous people under Dutch overlordship these islands were "Hindia Belanda" or "Hindi Londo", after Merdeka, the generally used term in the new nation of Indonesia was "Nusantara" a term that was in use in Old Javanese.

That's what I mean about Amuk's sometimes puzzling spellings, they get confused and mixed, but truly I do enjoy the exercise of working out what he means, I think we should be tolerant and accept what he is prepared to give.

His pictures are great.

[David]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

I think we should be tolerant and accept what he is prepared to give.

"I am not telling you that you cannot continue using these spellings..."

I believe i was already being tolerant Alan.
And the best part of these confusing spellings is when you follow them with wonderful historical tidbits like what you have just posted. Interesting stuff!
As for Amuk's pictures, yes, please keep them coming Amuk. Your families collection is fabulous!

[A. G. Maisey]

Yes David, I was simply re-enforcing your already obvious tolerance.

Some people do tend to be less tolerant than both you & I.

[jagabuwana]

Thank you very much, hatur nuhun Tjag for clarifying this for me.

[Mickey the Finn]

For what it's worth, for myself, the old-style spellings aren't really all that bothersome. I have only a passing familiarity with what I think of as "Dutch phonetic spelling"; more like skating than walking or skiing, but I can get from A to B, though perhaps not quite as smoothly or quickly. On that note, a few years ago there was a corpus of quasi-professional "blue movies" available for view on a certain website. I recognized the language being spoken on these videos as Southern Scots or some thickly accented dialect of Northern English; I was able to "get the gist" of what was being said, though "in a glass, darkly", as it were. It was only through reading some of the viewer comments on the videos that I learned that the language being spoken was actually Dutch, and not Scots or English at all. After that, my comprehension suddenly dropped from "fair/middling" to "not the faintest, foggiest clue". Interesting learning experience it was, though.

[Amuk Murugul]

Hullo all,

I notice a bit of interest in this area.
Here's my contribution w.r.t. Koedjang.

As an example, the assignation of the Koedjang Tjioeng commensurate with the duties and function of the wearer/user (as opposed to the social status of the individual):

Koedjang Tjioeng, 9 Eyelets: Radja (ruler), Brahmesta (religious chief)
Koedjang Tjioeng, 7 Eyelets: Praboe Anom (crown prince), Mantri Dangka (border minister) and Pandita (councellor)
Koedjang Tjioeng, 5 Eyelets: Geurang Seurat (chief minister) Boepati Panangkes (military governor) and Boepati (regent)
Koedjang Tjioeng, 3 Eyelets: Geurang (minister)
Koedjang Tjioeng, 1 Eyelet: Goeroe Tangtoe Agama (advisor on inalienable doctrines)

Note: A person may carry more than one koedjang type. For instance, a general in the confederate court military (Koedjang Djago) may also be a ruler at home (Koedjang Tjioeng, Mata9).

BTW,

While doing this post, I came across a memory aid I prepared for a seminar so people could relate/remember better. (It's got 'Anglicised terms'. For comparison, the 'normal' schematic was posted in this forum somewhere a while back).
Nothing to do with koedjang, but I thought I'd include it here so I won't have to do another post.
It may be of use to someone. Otherwise, it's just garbage.

Best,

SCHEMATIC: Doehoeng (/ Kalis / Karis ) with Anglicised terminology.

[Amuk Murugul]

Hullo everybody!

Just thought I'd post a more complete explanation/protocol of the KOEDJANG.
Hope it's not too boring.

Best,

KOEDJANG:

The Koedjang is a traditional implement which has become synonymous with Oerang Soenda.

From humble beginnings as a farm tool, the koedjang had evolved to become pretty much what it is today.
There had been developed a pakem (protocol) governing the manufacture and use of the koedjang (similar to that of the doehoeng ).
This protocol virtually restricted the use of the variety of koedjang to the Pangréh Pradja/Prijaji (‘rulers of the realm’/governing bureaucracy), leaving only the basic farming-tool type for the common people.
Although the clergy were also allocated use of the koedjang, they were primarily as talismanic symbols of the clergy’s function: to nurture and protect the spiritual strength of the realm.

Koedjang Length: About two handspans (~ 42cm.), from point of blade to end of handle.

Koedjang ( see attached diagram )

1. Waroega ( Body/Blade )
2. Tjongo/Papatoek ( Tip/Beak ), for gouging
3. Beuteung ( Stomach/Front Edge ), sharp edge for cutting/slicing
4. Tonggong ( Back/Back Edge ), sharp edge for cutting/slicing
5. Eloek ( Arc )
6. Siih/Tjoetjoek ( Spur/Thorn ), for ripping/tearing
7. Mata ( Eye/Eyelet ), filled with precious metal
8. Tadah ( Check ), for blocking/disarming
9. Paksi/Boentoet/Paseuk ( Tang )
10. Seloet (Metal Collar/Ring ), for firm handling
11. Pamor ( Damascene ), for poison retention
12. Tjombong ( Hole ), recess in handle to fit tang
13. Landean/Perah ( Handle )
14. Kopak/Kowak/Sarangka/Saroeng ( Sheath )


Basically, the Koedjang was classified according to shape and function.

According to shape (of the blade):

Tjioeng ( Thrush )
Djago/Hajam ( Rooster )
Koentoel ( Egret )
Bangkong ( Frog )
Naga ( Serpent )
Badak ( Rhinoceros )
Pamangkas ( Cutter/Clipper, a farming tool )
Bikang ( Female ):
Tjioeng
Koentoel
Koedi ( for females )


According to function:

Poesaka (sacred heirloom or symbol of potency)
Pakarang (implement for defence)
Pangarak (lance/polearm, for special auspicious ceremonies)
Pamangkas (chopping/cutting/slashing implement for farming)

The protocol also included the assignation of the Koedjang type commensurate with the duties and function of the wearer/user (as opposed to the social status of the individual):

Koedjang Tjioeng, 9 Eyelets: Radja (ruler), Brahmesta (high-priest)
Koedjang Tjioeng, 7 Eyelets: Praboe Anom (crown prince), Mantri Dangka (minister for states/territories), Pandita (counsellor)
Koedjang Tjioeng, 5 Eyelets: Boepati Panangkes (chief of general business), Boepati Pakwan (Pakwan regent), Boepati Loear (regent for area external to Pakwan/regional-ruler), Geurang Poeoen (leader of village-chiefs), Geurang Seurat (secretary)
Koedjang Tjioeng, 3 Eyelets: Geurang (group/community leader), Poeoen (village-chief)
Koedjang Tjioeng, 1 Eyelet: Goeroe Tangtoe Agama (expert/educator/advisor on inalienable doctrines)
Koedjang Djago: military personnel: Balapati/RanggaMantri (paramount war-chief), Loeloegoe/Rangga (war-chief), Sambilan (divisional-chief)
Koedjang Koentoel: Patih (chief executive): poeri (fortifications), taman (parks/gardens), tangtoe (sacred inalienables), djaba (external), paladjoe (development); Mantri (minister): madjeuti (fisheries), paséban (tributes/taxes), lajar (transport), karang (lands), djero (interior)
Koedjang Bangkong: Goeroe (expert/educator/advisor): sekar (flora), tangtoe (sacred inalienables), alas (forestry), tjoetjoek (brambles/weeds)
Koedjang Naga: Kandoeroe/PangréhPradja (ruler’s service), Djaro (district chief): awara (security), tangtoe (sacred inalienables), gambangan (music/culture)
Koedjang Badak:
- military officers: Pangwereg (cavalry/elephants), Pamatang (lancers), Palongok-panengen-pangiwa (scouts), Palajang (flying force), Pangwelah,(strategy). Bareusan (infantry unit): pradjoerit (general infantry), pratoeloep (blowpipes), pangawin (bodyguards), sarawarsa (archers).
- Kokolot (elders)
Koedjang Pamangkas: common folk
Koedjang Bikang and Koedi: females of the nobility and those with definite functions e.g. Dijah Poetri (Princess), court ladies: Amboe Soekla (lady chaperone), Amboe Geurang (governess), Goeroe Aés (female physician), Dajang Kapoetren (ladies-in-waiting), Soekla Majang (hand-maiden)
Koedjang Boeta ( Blind ): Koedjang with no Eyelets.


Koedjang Bikang: consisted of two basic shapes, Tjioeng and Koentoel, chosen for their slenderness. They were only half the size of the normal Koedjang.

Koedi: It is similar to the Koedjang, but with similar twin edges, serrated, with spurs and no beuteung or tonggong. It is the same size as the Koedjang Bikang. They are made of steel, finer than the Koedjang and like Koedjang Boeta, don’t have eyelets.

Eyelets: Symbolises the mandala/levels of the religion of the realm (viz. kasoengka, parmana, karma, rasa, seba, soeda, djati, samar, agoeng; 9 levels).

Damascene: Soelangkar/Lines along blade and Toetoel/Spots

Koedjang as a status symbol:
The status of the wearer is determined by the number of eyelets, the damascene and its material.
Koedjang worn by aristocratic ladies of the Pakwan court usually had five eyelets with soelangkar damascene of selected yellow metal alloy (an mixture of iron, tin, lead, silver, zinc, copper and gold). Other females wore koedjang with three eyelets or less, with toetoel damascene of chosen metal.

[Amuk Murugul]

Hullo everybody!

My no.1 son, who has practised martial arts since he was 4, took up the golok at the start of the pandemic. He thinks he is now so proficient at it that he wants to graduate to twin-goloks (both normal and long versions ). He has asked for mine.
As I am unlikely to see them again (he lives too far away), I thought I'd post these rather bad pictures as the only record.

Best,

[Amuk Murugul]

Hullo everybody!

Another snap op.

From top-to-bottom: Bedog (chopper)TJIKEROEH; Pedang Moro (deer-/tiger-hunting sword)TJIKEROEH; Pedang Abet (sabre)PARAHIYANGAN; Pedang Abet (sabre)TJAROEBAN.

Enjoy!

Best,