Sharing Moro Kris data

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by Ian

Ray,

Thanks for the detailed responses!

Do you have any thoughts about Brunei kris? I would have thought that the Brunei Sultanate would feature in some of these Moro interactions, and it once controlled an extensive part along the western Borneo coast, including N. Borneo (Sabah). It's defeat by the Spanish in the late 15th C led to a decline, but it made a comeback in the 17th-18th C until the British intruded into the region.

When you speak of the Iranum in Borneo, does this imply a connection with the other Mindanao Moro groups or with Sulu Moros? The Philippine Iranum in Mindanao were geographically proximate to the Maguindanao and Maranao Sultanates, and were politically under the Maguindanao Sultanate for quite a long time, they seem to have had strong ties also with the Sulu Sultanate.

Both the Iranum and Sama had extensive trade routes with Malayan regions and Indonesia, as well as the Celebes, the Moluccas, and Bali. Strong bilateral relations also existed between the Maguindanao Sultanate and Ternate, home of the spice trade in the Moluccas.

All of these represent potential sources for the introduction of the Indonesian keris into Moro culture. I think longstanding trade routes and state/diplomatic voyages need to be carefully considered before anointing any one group as the instigator of the Moro kris. Brunei, Indonesian, Malayan, Bugis, and even Balinese keris/kris may have played their part at different times in the development of the Moro kris.

Halloo again Ian,

I've insufficient data about Brunei kris, my Malay friends didn't mention that area much in relation to sundang. The relationship of the Moros with the Brunei Sultanate was actually volatile throughout the centuries; while there was a time that the Sulu Sultanate "saved" the Brunei royalty versus a coup, there was also a time that Sulu Sultanate itself staged an attack against the Brunei Sultanate, which led to the Brunei forces assaulting the Sulu Sultanate in PH. What's retained by via oral tradition, according to my Malay friends, is the manner by which the Sulu warriors "saved" the royalty, with their kalis supposedly.

Regarding the Iranun, my Malay friends believe that they're related to the PH-archipelago Iranun.

I agree on your assertion regarding careful consideration on which keris-producing area likely made the most influence on Moro kris. And I would also add other influences, such as the Chinese, who were very close to the Moro, and who supplied them with iron ingots. I would go with one of Krieger's assertions, that "successive foreign influences" was what led to the development (and uniqueness) of PH blades, including the kris.

[adamb]

I thought I’d chime in here, specifically regarding the above observation that the Bugis had frequent interactions with the Moro. Not an expert, but I note this illustration of a Moro kalis/keris with cockatoo pommel in Matthes’ 1874 Ethnographic Atlas of the Bugis, depicted among a collection of Bugis keris and badiks which I believe Matthes acquired during his time in South Sulawesi. I should note that it is described in the book as a sword of the Sulu raiders. Perhaps the forum members could comment on the specific origin of this piece.

[Ian]

Hi adamb,


Thanks for posting this picture. I am keen to post some comments about this drawing of a Moro kris, but I don't want to preempt Xasterix's response. I'll wait until he has expressed his thoughts.


Ian.

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by adamb

I thought I’d chime in here, specifically regarding the above observation that the Bugis had frequent interactions with the Moro. Not an expert, but I note this illustration of a Moro kalis/keris with cockatoo pommel in Matthes’ 1874 Ethnographic Atlas of the Bugis, depicted among a collection of Bugis keris and badiks which I believe Matthes acquired during his time in South Sulawesi. I should note that it is described in the book as a sword of the Sulu raiders. Perhaps the forum members could comment on the specific origin of this piece.

Hullo greetings! The parts that I usually look at the base of the blade aren't that clear, so I'm not that confident to accurately ID this kris. If I were to guess though, the blade looks Sulu-made, the hilt looks Sulu; I lack comprehensive knowledge of the scabbard types to make an educated guess.

I can vaguely count 5 waves on the blade, and by rough estimate the blade-length seems to be 18 inches, krises of this blade-length are usually older, conservatively early to mid 1800s.

The engraving- a set of circles intersecting each other, and bound by smaller engravings, perhaps even Lontara characters- appear on other Moro krises.

[David]

Ray, can you please provide a direct link to this article here. When i go to the FB page i am told that the article is not available since Canadian FB will not post news links. Thanks!

[Ian]

Hi adamb,

Thank you again for showing this interesting illustration. I agree with Xasterix that it is hard to identify the number of waves on this sword, but five seems like a reasonable guess. I hesitate to guess as to its length, but it ciukd be longer than Xas suggests. I also agree that the "elephant trunk" area is too indistinct to offer an opinion of tribal origin. However, there are some other features that are worth mentioning. First, the blade lacks the "arrowhead feature" of so-called archaic kris. Therefore, in my opinion and in support of Cato's dating, it is very unlikely this blade was made pre-1800. Second, the blade may have a fuller (darker central area) running almost to the tip. If this structure is a fuller, then that is an unusual feature on Moro kris and suggests a Malayan influence.

The hilt is a common fighting style from the 19th C, with multiple bands of woven rattan or twine capped with a small kakatua pommel. (The pommel is small but there are more diminutive examples, including ones that have a "beak" but lack the "crest.") The style shown is commonly seen on 19th C Sulu kris made for the "common man" (at least judging from the quality of the dress, which tends to be rather plain and inexpensive).

The scabbard is also interesting. It features an upturned toe and a cross piece that is very similar to scabbards on Malay sundang. There is a beautiful kris in a very similar scabbard shown on the dust jacket of Cato's book. The cross-piece of the scabbard is ivory, and both the scabbard and hilt are decorated with silver and gold. Unfortunately, we do not get to see the blade.

The Moros of the Sulu Archipelago have longstanding relationships with their Malayan neighbors in northern Borneo and the former Malay States. I see significant Malayan influence in many Sulu kris, especially in the dress. Xasterix has mentioned that he consults Malay friends about the influence of Malayan styles in Moro weapons, so he may have some more to comment on this one.

You note that the entry for this sword says that it came from a Sulu raider. These rasids likely involved Sama people because they were the best Sulu sailors and navigators in the Sulu Sea and adjacent waters. Interestingly, the Mindanao Moros traded extensively with the Bugis in the southern Celebes. They were also allies with the Ternatans, and the latter were involved with the Maguindanao Sultanate in its conflicts with Spain during the 17th C.

In summary, I think the attribution of this sword to a Sulu raider is likely correct. The sword itself is likely Sulu with identifiable Malayan features. Early to mid-19th C seems about right. Although documented in 1874, we are not told when the sword was parted from its last Moro owner, which may have predated 1874 by some time.

Regards,

Ian.

[Battara]

Ian, your arguments and observations make sense.

[xasterix]

Originally Posted by David

Ray, can you please provide a direct link to this article here. When i go to the FB page i am told that the article is not available since Canadian FB will not post news links. Thanks!

Hullo David! Here's the direct link:

https://www.rappler.com/life-and-sty...rd-many-names/