Sharing a Durga hilt

David · 23rd March 2021, 07:29 PM

This link also has some good discussion and further relevant links with it about Putri Malu.
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ght=Putri+Malu

A. G. Maisey · 23rd March 2021, 09:31 PM

There are a number of hilt styles that depict a slightly bowed figure that has no facial features. This hilt belongs to that group of hilt styles.This faceless style is found in Bali, Jawa and in Palembang and sometimes has characteristics that vaguely suggest the female form.

This particular example is from Palembang.

Some people refer to it as Putri Malu, as David has said, others use the name "Balu Mekabun".

Balu Mekabun is understood as "widow in a garden", but this usually applied spelling, as well as its variations, seem to indicate that this name might not have been coined by a native speaker of either Javanese or Balinese. The stories that get attached to this hilt form can be quite fanciful.

I feel that some day a dedicated student of the keris might make the effort to get to the bottom of exactly what these faceless hilt forms represent. In some cases we might have a representation of Durga, but in other cases, perhaps not.

23rd March 2021, 07:29 PM	#1
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,211	This link also has some good discussion and further relevant links with it about Putri Malu. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ght=Putri+Malu

23rd March 2021, 09:31 PM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,989	There are a number of hilt styles that depict a slightly bowed figure that has no facial features. This hilt belongs to that group of hilt styles.This faceless style is found in Bali, Jawa and in Palembang and sometimes has characteristics that vaguely suggest the female form. This particular example is from Palembang. Some people refer to it as Putri Malu, as David has said, others use the name "Balu Mekabun". Balu Mekabun is understood as "widow in a garden", but this usually applied spelling, as well as its variations, seem to indicate that this name might not have been coined by a native speaker of either Javanese or Balinese. The stories that get attached to this hilt form can be quite fanciful. I feel that some day a dedicated student of the keris might make the effort to get to the bottom of exactly what these faceless hilt forms represent. In some cases we might have a representation of Durga, but in other cases, perhaps not.