Ban on Keris

DAHenkel · 12th February 2005, 04:00 PM

As I understand it the practice of covering up the keris with the sarong was because of the prevalent belief at that time that the photography of the keris would somehow "spoil" the keris. I doubt this was tied to the concealment of smaller keris. Keris debek are considerably smaller than the normal keris.

Keris debek are reputed to have evolved from the keris of elephant drivers, who required a shorter, smaller keris as they had to sit upon the back of an elephant for long periods of time.

rahman · 25th February 2005, 03:47 AM

Raja Muda:

"Jika keris tempa Melaka yang panjang tengah tiga jengkal itu dijadikan keris pendua, tiada kelihatan dari sebelah." (Ceritera yang ke 26)"

I'm not even going to try to translate it. Perhaps you can explain it.

Also, if you have more info on keris tempa Melaka, maybe you can start a new thread for discussion. We have not seen a keris Melaka before.

About 10 years, there was news of the salvaging of the Flora <something>, a Potuguese ship that was bringing back war booty from the invasion of Melaka in 1511. The initial repoerts mentioned a gold keris as one item salvaged, but no further news was forthcoming.

Maybe someone can help shed some light on this?

I think this discussion would be quite important as we will commemorate the 500th anniversary of the invasion of Melaka in 1511, an event that changed the face of the Malay world.

25th February 2005, 03:47 AM	#2
rahman Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 84	Keris Tempa Melaka Raja Muda: "Jika keris tempa Melaka yang panjang tengah tiga jengkal itu dijadikan keris pendua, tiada kelihatan dari sebelah." (Ceritera yang ke 26)" I'm not even going to try to translate it. Perhaps you can explain it. Also, if you have more info on keris tempa Melaka, maybe you can start a new thread for discussion. We have not seen a keris Melaka before. About 10 years, there was news of the salvaging of the Flora <something>, a Potuguese ship that was bringing back war booty from the invasion of Melaka in 1511. The initial repoerts mentioned a gold keris as one item salvaged, but no further news was forthcoming. Maybe someone can help shed some light on this? I think this discussion would be quite important as we will commemorate the 500th anniversary of the invasion of Melaka in 1511, an event that changed the face of the Malay world.

12th February 2005, 04:00 PM	#1
DAHenkel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 125	As I understand it the practice of covering up the keris with the sarong was because of the prevalent belief at that time that the photography of the keris would somehow "spoil" the keris. I doubt this was tied to the concealment of smaller keris. Keris debek are considerably smaller than the normal keris. Keris debek are reputed to have evolved from the keris of elephant drivers, who required a shorter, smaller keris as they had to sit upon the back of an elephant for long periods of time.