Keris Tindih -- The Neutralizer

ganjawulung · 21st May 2007, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raden Usman Djogja

nice keris.
is your keris' shape jalak budho or sombro?

I also got information that keris tindih is for neutralizing other kerises especially an agresive one. A question remained is to neutralize from what? If the purpose of keris tindih is to neutralize other keris power, so you must take keris tindih far away from the keris which you want to activate its power. Vice versa, you must bring it together whenever you want to deactivate its influence.

The first keris with pamor "janur sinebit" is keris betok. Dapur betok has a different proportion: although the blade is wider than normal keris, the length is shorter. Betok has no "ricikan" (details). Only "gandik polos" (without "sekar kacang" or "kembang kacang"). Different tangguh, different style too. Especially betok from Pajajaran era (11-12th century, not 13th century as I told before), the entire blade is thinner than betok from Singasari era (13th century) for instance.

Jalak Budo, usually thicker than Pajajaran betok. It has "sogokan" (front sogokan thinner than the rear). The blade of old Jalak Budo is very specific: looks like stone, clay, and many old traces in the blade. Every collector (I don't mention, traditional owner of kerises by heritage), is usually eager to have Jalak Budo as keris tindih.

Maybe "the neutralizer" is not the right word. Keris tindih, is used to minimize the negative influence of "bad" kerises. Some believe also, that keris tindih is meant for "mediating" the strong influences among the kerises. So, actually "neutralizing" may be is not the right English word (?).

Sombro, according to Bambang Harsrinuksmo's Ensiklopedi, is a very famous female empu from Pajajaran kingdom (11th century). The wellknown style of betok Sombro usually thin blade but strong enough, cannot be bent. And in the end of the Sombro's peksi there is a hole, believed to be use to take the blade with cord, and put the cord around the hips.

Mas Boedi, will you help me to give more information on this, please...

Boedhi Adhitya · 21st May 2007, 07:56 PM

Mas Ganjawulung, I believe you've already gave some good explanation regarding keris tindih.

IMHO, tindih, in this context, would be better to be translated as 'suppress'. So, keris tindih is a 'suppressor' to, as Ganjawulung already said, the negative effect of 'bad keris', usually a keris which has 'panas' ('hot') or 'galak' (fierce) attribute. Why do we keep such a bad keris ? Perhaps because it is a fine and rare blade, or more commonly, because we simply don't know which one is bad, and as precaution, we keep a 'suppressor', just in case. At least, it gives a relief to it's believer.

Why jalak/bethok budho? Budha or budho doesn't mean Budha (religion) in this context. In Javanese context, it means archaic or ancient. In Javanese language, 'wong budho' means a simple and naive person. Thus, jalak/bethok budho is archaic/ancient jalak/bethok. It should be made from 'besi budho', the oldest iron. It is believed that the 'tuah' of besi budho is 'asrep/dingin' (cold), and the empu's prayer while making this blade is to bring 'slamet' (safe/wellbeing) to the bearer. 'Slamet' is a very strong word in Javanese culture. IMHO, it could take an exclusive book just to explain the meaning of slamet and it's important position in Javanese culture. Thus, armed with besi budho and empu's prayer, jalak/bethok budho will suppress (or 'lerem') every hot and fierce kerises. In the 'spirit point of view', no younger spirit who resides in younger, hot and fierce kerises would dare against an old,wise and 'ampuh/sakti' priest who resides in jalak/bethok budho. Then, they should behave accordingly.

Keris Sombro, and any other 'bethok' is also believed to have similar characteristic to jalak/bethok budho, especially in empu's prayer. Ni Mbok Sombro was a woman, so in the 'spirit point of view' : Since there is a lady in the house, all the naughty boys should behave and being polite

Gold is also believed as having a neutralizing effect. Only 24k gold works, and this time, 'neutralizing' is a proper word. Some elders prefer keris without gold as powerful pusaka, since the presence of gold would nullify or at least reduce it's potential power. So, use gold sparingly

Please remind that some kind of serasah/inlay and rajah, e.g. kala cakra and raja sulaeman, are believed to add 'more power' to the keris.

It is worth to note that what I've described here is common beliefs in Javanese or Javanese-influenced collectors. Any other beliefs/opinions may exist, and sometimes against each other. No 'right or wrong' answer here. All true to it's believers. Other keris culture may also vary.

ganjawulung · 21st May 2007, 09:50 PM

Mas Boedi,

Thanks a lot, for giving the complete explanations on keris tindih and betok, jalak budo. I hope you don't feel disturbed with my posting, showing the complete blade of my Jalak Budo.

Every Jalak Budo doesn't need the hilt-ring, because Jalak Budo always has a "methuk". Like the "methuk" at the end of every tombak or spear.

Ganjawulung

A. G. Maisey · 22nd May 2007, 12:14 AM

Thank you for your detailed response, Raden.

I cannot claim the breadth of experience that you have, I am not a native speaker of Javanese, and in fact I speak Javanese very badly, but I do have a very wide Javanese vocabulary, and can usually follow a Javanese conversation.Additionally, I have some small understanding of Old Javanese.

I have spent time in Jawa every year since around 1966---did miss a couple of years around 1968-1970, and 1980-1981. During the last 25 years my residence has been in Palur, about 8KM or so out of Solo.I returned to Australia from Solo a couple of weeks ago.

The "other native speaker" to whom I referred was my wife or more than 30 years. Since she is currently in Solo---she went back a week or so ago on family business--- I had to ring her to ask her, and when I rang, she gave her answer, but then threw my question to her niece and nephew, who proceeded to give a ten minute lecture on the ways in which these words can be used. If I had not cut the phone call short that lecture would have gone on for half an hour.
Actually, my court of final appeal on any Javanese meanings is my son-in-law, who comes from a slightly elevated family, and whom, by all accounts, uses Javanese to perfection--- a very rare trait at the present time, when all the literary people are telling us that Javanese is dying and that within a generation the only people who will be able to use the language will be professors in universities.

During the time I have spent in Jawa, I have not had any contact with professors, or kyais(when acting in this persona). I have had very considerable contact with people who are members of the keris trade, collectors, ordinary working people, both rural and urban,public servants, and the occasional dukun.
Although I have travelled through probably all of the areas you mention, 98% of my time has been spent in Solo, with the remnant 2% spent in East Jawa around Malang - Kediri.

I would guess that the way in which you use the words under discussion is the product of association with native speakers from a wider geographical area, and social strata that enters a slightly more spiritual zone than that to which I am accustomed.

What I do know is this---and I have my notebooks to ensure that my memory was not decieving me---Empu Suparman Supowijaya used either paku or pasak in conversations with me when discussing this matter of pins inserted into keris blades.It could be argued that this occurred because our conversations were in Indonesian, however, he invariably used Javanese words for all things to do with the keris, even though we were speaking Indonesian.

Again I thank you for adding to my knowledge. The variation in the Javanese language is a thing of endless fascination for me.

Raden Usman Djogja · 22nd May 2007, 01:36 AM

Alan,

Whats?! you have been in Palur since '66. So, you are more native than me. Because at that time, I was still in the top of my father's manggo tree (aku isih neng pucuk wit "pelem"e Romoku).

Actually pelem means manggo. but peleme Romoku does not mean my father's manggo. it is tricky word.

Alan, since now, if there is different perception between us, you are right and I am wrong. The reason is I just started to know some words in '75 (10 years after your existence in Java).

Who is NATIVE? Since we dont inherit this world from our parents but borrow it from our children. I have sensitive feeling with a word NATIVE, especially whenever chatting with my daugther (s). The older one was born in Australia and the younger one was born in Africa a couple of weeks ago. When she feels Australian, I still cannot speak English well. When she wants to be Javanese, here, only her mother and father can understand well her language expression,.... poor. When she wants to be part of her recent classmates (french), I feel that I will be left behind sooner or later. I dont push my daughters to be Javanese since I realize that the world is much more wider than Java Island. I will let them growing up freely. But I have not prepared yet to face its consequence (no more phrase: like father like daughter). Perhaps, this phrase will insult young generation, even actually, meaningful for old generation.

OK... back to laptop/keris

Usmen

A. G. Maisey · 22nd May 2007, 08:29 AM

No, no, Pak Usmen.

I have stayed in Palur for the times I have been in Jawa since about 1982.

Before that I used to stay in a house in a lane off Jalan Kratonan.

Before that I stayed in hotels.

I went to Solo for the first time in about 1974.

I use the word "native" to refer to one's native tongue. For example, I am a native speaker of English, somebody who was born and grew up in France would be a native speaker of French. Your native tongue is Javanese.And being a native speaker of Javanese, you have tricked me with your tricky manggo.One thing is certain, I am most definitely not more Javanese than you. I am 100% Aussie, with a thin veneer of Javanese style, when this is necessary.

Please accept my most sincere congratulations for the recent addition to your family.

Raden Usman Djogja · 22nd May 2007, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Please accept my most sincere congratulations for the recent addition to your family.

Alan,
thank you very much
Usman

21st May 2007, 09:50 PM	#3
ganjawulung Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: J a k a r t a Posts: 991	Jalak Budo Mas Boedi, Thanks a lot, for giving the complete explanations on keris tindih and betok, jalak budo. I hope you don't feel disturbed with my posting, showing the complete blade of my Jalak Budo. Every Jalak Budo doesn't need the hilt-ring, because Jalak Budo always has a "methuk". Like the "methuk" at the end of every tombak or spear. Ganjawulung Attached Images

21st May 2007, 07:56 PM	#2
Boedhi Adhitya Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 103	Mas Ganjawulung, I believe you've already gave some good explanation regarding keris tindih. IMHO, tindih, in this context, would be better to be translated as 'suppress'. So, keris tindih is a 'suppressor' to, as Ganjawulung already said, the negative effect of 'bad keris', usually a keris which has 'panas' ('hot') or 'galak' (fierce) attribute. Why do we keep such a bad keris ? Perhaps because it is a fine and rare blade, or more commonly, because we simply don't know which one is bad, and as precaution, we keep a 'suppressor', just in case. At least, it gives a relief to it's believer. Why jalak/bethok budho? Budha or budho doesn't mean Budha (religion) in this context. In Javanese context, it means archaic or ancient. In Javanese language, 'wong budho' means a simple and naive person. Thus, jalak/bethok budho is archaic/ancient jalak/bethok. It should be made from 'besi budho', the oldest iron. It is believed that the 'tuah' of besi budho is 'asrep/dingin' (cold), and the empu's prayer while making this blade is to bring 'slamet' (safe/wellbeing) to the bearer. 'Slamet' is a very strong word in Javanese culture. IMHO, it could take an exclusive book just to explain the meaning of slamet and it's important position in Javanese culture. Thus, armed with besi budho and empu's prayer, jalak/bethok budho will suppress (or 'lerem') every hot and fierce kerises. In the 'spirit point of view', no younger spirit who resides in younger, hot and fierce kerises would dare against an old,wise and 'ampuh/sakti' priest who resides in jalak/bethok budho. Then, they should behave accordingly. Keris Sombro, and any other 'bethok' is also believed to have similar characteristic to jalak/bethok budho, especially in empu's prayer. Ni Mbok Sombro was a woman, so in the 'spirit point of view' : Since there is a lady in the house, all the naughty boys should behave and being polite Gold is also believed as having a neutralizing effect. Only 24k gold works, and this time, 'neutralizing' is a proper word. Some elders prefer keris without gold as powerful pusaka, since the presence of gold would nullify or at least reduce it's potential power. So, use gold sparingly Please remind that some kind of serasah/inlay and rajah, e.g. kala cakra and raja sulaeman, are believed to add 'more power' to the keris. It is worth to note that what I've described here is common beliefs in Javanese or Javanese-influenced collectors. Any other beliefs/opinions may exist, and sometimes against each other. No 'right or wrong' answer here. All true to it's believers. Other keris culture may also vary.

22nd May 2007, 12:14 AM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,015	Thank you for your detailed response, Raden. I cannot claim the breadth of experience that you have, I am not a native speaker of Javanese, and in fact I speak Javanese very badly, but I do have a very wide Javanese vocabulary, and can usually follow a Javanese conversation.Additionally, I have some small understanding of Old Javanese. I have spent time in Jawa every year since around 1966---did miss a couple of years around 1968-1970, and 1980-1981. During the last 25 years my residence has been in Palur, about 8KM or so out of Solo.I returned to Australia from Solo a couple of weeks ago. The "other native speaker" to whom I referred was my wife or more than 30 years. Since she is currently in Solo---she went back a week or so ago on family business--- I had to ring her to ask her, and when I rang, she gave her answer, but then threw my question to her niece and nephew, who proceeded to give a ten minute lecture on the ways in which these words can be used. If I had not cut the phone call short that lecture would have gone on for half an hour. Actually, my court of final appeal on any Javanese meanings is my son-in-law, who comes from a slightly elevated family, and whom, by all accounts, uses Javanese to perfection--- a very rare trait at the present time, when all the literary people are telling us that Javanese is dying and that within a generation the only people who will be able to use the language will be professors in universities. During the time I have spent in Jawa, I have not had any contact with professors, or kyais(when acting in this persona). I have had very considerable contact with people who are members of the keris trade, collectors, ordinary working people, both rural and urban,public servants, and the occasional dukun. Although I have travelled through probably all of the areas you mention, 98% of my time has been spent in Solo, with the remnant 2% spent in East Jawa around Malang - Kediri. I would guess that the way in which you use the words under discussion is the product of association with native speakers from a wider geographical area, and social strata that enters a slightly more spiritual zone than that to which I am accustomed. What I do know is this---and I have my notebooks to ensure that my memory was not decieving me---Empu Suparman Supowijaya used either paku or pasak in conversations with me when discussing this matter of pins inserted into keris blades.It could be argued that this occurred because our conversations were in Indonesian, however, he invariably used Javanese words for all things to do with the keris, even though we were speaking Indonesian. Again I thank you for adding to my knowledge. The variation in the Javanese language is a thing of endless fascination for me.

22nd May 2007, 01:36 AM	#5
Raden Usman Djogja Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 199	Alan, Whats?! you have been in Palur since '66. So, you are more native than me. Because at that time, I was still in the top of my father's manggo tree (aku isih neng pucuk wit "pelem"e Romoku). Actually pelem means manggo. but peleme Romoku does not mean my father's manggo. it is tricky word. Alan, since now, if there is different perception between us, you are right and I am wrong. The reason is I just started to know some words in '75 (10 years after your existence in Java). Who is NATIVE? Since we dont inherit this world from our parents but borrow it from our children. I have sensitive feeling with a word NATIVE, especially whenever chatting with my daugther (s). The older one was born in Australia and the younger one was born in Africa a couple of weeks ago. When she feels Australian, I still cannot speak English well. When she wants to be Javanese, here, only her mother and father can understand well her language expression,.... poor. When she wants to be part of her recent classmates (french), I feel that I will be left behind sooner or later. I dont push my daughters to be Javanese since I realize that the world is much more wider than Java Island. I will let them growing up freely. But I have not prepared yet to face its consequence (no more phrase: like father like daughter). Perhaps, this phrase will insult young generation, even actually, meaningful for old generation. OK... back to laptop/keris Usmen

22nd May 2007, 08:29 AM	#6
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,015	No, no, Pak Usmen. I have stayed in Palur for the times I have been in Jawa since about 1982. Before that I used to stay in a house in a lane off Jalan Kratonan. Before that I stayed in hotels. I went to Solo for the first time in about 1974. I use the word "native" to refer to one's native tongue. For example, I am a native speaker of English, somebody who was born and grew up in France would be a native speaker of French. Your native tongue is Javanese.And being a native speaker of Javanese, you have tricked me with your tricky manggo.One thing is certain, I am most definitely not more Javanese than you. I am 100% Aussie, with a thin veneer of Javanese style, when this is necessary. Please accept my most sincere congratulations for the recent addition to your family.