The Purpose of Keris Panjang

[David]

Originally Posted by kai

Another line of thought could be that the gentry wanted to display that they had blades resembling rapiers even if they were not meant to be used against Europeans, at least not in a duel-like situation. So they could be mainly status blades and still owing their development to early contacts with Europeans.

This would be more my line of thought. A keris panjang is not at all the same type of weapon as a rapier. This doesn't mean that handled by the right hand that it could not be an effective weapon. But it would seem to me that if a weapon were to be made in matial response to a European rapier that length would be just one of the considerations. As a status response however, just being longer might be enough.

[eli]

Thank you Kai for explaining the rapier Idea better.
Another thought to think about is its brother forms Anak Along and Bahari, did these forms preceed the Panjang or come after it?

[kai]

Hello Eli,

Another thought to think about is its brother forms Anak Along and Bahari, did these forms preceed the Panjang or come after it?

That's also a question I have been wondering about. There seems to be very little documented on the early keris (outside Jawa), at least in western languages...

Regards,
Kai

[A. G. Maisey]

Regarding keris used for legal execution.

In Bali there are reports of ordinary keris being used for this purpose, and the thrust was straight into the heart, through the ribs.

In Jawa ordinary keris were used, but I have also seen, and own, some Javanese keris that are Javanese versions of a keris panjang.I do not know the purpose of these Javanese long keris, but it is certain they could not have been used as items of dress.

I have in my collection a Brunei keris which seems to be a normal version of the Brunei Moro-style keris; this keris was used for state executions in Brunei from---I think---1842.

[PenangsangII]

Hello all,

I agree with Kai that despite the panjang's use as a status wear and excecution implement, it's still battle worthy.

According to Malay blade culture, weapons especially keris including the panjang, are not to be clashed with another weapon. That being said, the panjang is used as a weapon by employing silat principle (which I believe is very hard to be demonstrated here in the forum) whereby the keris wielders normally fight in circular motions. I think the best analogy is if we can think of western boxing - feint, duck, jab etc without having to block opponent's strikes.

The use of pasikutan sized blade is slightly different although the principle is the same. A Malay warrior normally will stand side way (sendeng), and will use the sarung to parry another blade (only when necessary) and will strike with the keris with another hand without having to surge forward with the right leg - again, think western boxing.

[Pangeran Datu]

AsWrWb

Hi Eli,

First of all, I’m not absolutely sure what you mean by ‘Keris Panjang’ (= Long Keris).

If by Keris Panjang you mean an oversized keris, then they were usually used for ceremonies. Among the oversized Kerises in my collection, I have a wavy Jawa blade that is about 90cm. long, about 1.5 cm. thick at its thickest point and with a ganja about 12 cm. in length; I have even LARGER Sundangs.

However, if you’re referring to the slim, long-bladed keris being touted as ‘Executioner Keris’, then here is my take:

This type of keris originated in central Sumatra around 15th – 16th C, in a place called Bangkinang. A Bangkinang keris is usually between about 50 cm – 70 cm. Apart from its elongated straight blade, also characteristic of the Bangkinang keris is its very ornate scabbard, with the cross-piece being generally and notionally, a crescent moon.
It was mainly the preserve of the local aristocracy/functionaries.
When Bangkinang was thrust into prominence, its keris became a saleable commodity.
This spread its manufacture to other areas, which created their own copies.
It became popular among peninsular Malays and was probably enhanced by the fact that at least one of its notable families had roots in Bangkinang.
This type of keris also became popular among seamen, especially Bugis seamen, who preferred a shorter version, about 40 cm. – 50 cm. in length (more suitable for shipboard use). Thus the term ‘Bahari’ was coined (bahar = sea).

The Bangkinang Long Keris and versions of it are spread throughout the archipelago, e.g. Lombok, Java, Borneo, Sumatra, Malay Peninsula. Some versions are also wavy-bladed.
How it evolved into an ‘executioner keris, a symbol of authority etc. could be due to many factors.

WRT … Executions… Traditionally, particularly in Java, keris executions were carried out using normal kerises (whatever was being worn at the time, there was no special type of ‘execution’ keris). It was reserved for the execution of members of the aristocracy/upper class and carried out by ‘peers’. Only on rare occasions would a mere palace guard/soldier be given authority to carry out an execution using a keris and then, usually using the condemned’s own.
Lesser mortals were subject to beheadings and the like.
This changed by the time of Mataram (Islam), when even aristocrats such as regents could be subject to beheadings.

Cheers.

WsWrWb

[BluErf]

Originally Posted by Pangeran Datu

AsWrWb

This spread its manufacture to other areas, which created their own copies.
It became popular among peninsular Malays and was probably enhanced by the fact that at least one of its notable families had roots in Bangkinang.
This type of keris also became popular among seamen, especially Bugis seamen, who preferred a shorter version, about 40 cm. – 50 cm. in length (more suitable for shipboard use). Thus the term ‘Bahari’ was coined (bahar = sea).

Hello Pangeran Datu,

That was an interesting take on the spread of the keris panjang. It sounds plausible, just wondering if you could share the source of the information please. Thanks.

On the bahari keris, it is my experience that most bahari keris were found in Minangkabau. In fact 70% of the kerises from Minangkabau seems to be of that form. As for the Bugis, I have not seen any of their kerises featuring bahari blades. The closest is probably the sepokal keris blades (or "claw"-shaped blades).

[BluErf]

Originally Posted by PenangsangII

Hello all,

I agree with Kai that despite the panjang's use as a status wear and excecution implement, it's still battle worthy.

The keris panjang, in my opinion, is the equivalent of the ceremonial mace/scepter in European parliaments, and before that, symbol of Aristocratic power. We often see keris panjang in the collections of royal families, and they also find themselves incorporated into state emblems and royal family emblems. So the keris panjang is a symbol of power, authority, and maybe to a lesser extent - royalty (Which is associated with the former 2).

As an executioner's weapon? I suppose anything can be used as an executioner's weapon, even a lowly stone from the ground. Hence, the keris panjang could have been used as such, but it may be difficult to say it was the main purpose for its existence.

As a fighting weapon? Perhaps if its the only weapon we could get our hands on in an emergency, it would do. But we should probably consider "balance" in evaluating whether a weapon is suitable for combat. A keris panjang, especially the larger ones, are poorly balanced. The weight is in the top 1/3 or 1/2 of the blade (or the "foible"), and the tang is short, and the hilt does not provide sufficient counterweight. Hence, as a fighting weapon, the keris panjang feels "dead" in the hand. Grip-wise, the thumb and fore-finger must pinch the picetan and the aring rests on the base of the fore-finger. Its an ok grip if one does not move the keris panjang much, but in a fighting situation, the aring and the greneng, combined with the momentum caused by the concentration of weight in the foible, would probably rub the skin of the forefinger raw. Such a problem would not be so bad in a normal short keris because of much better size and balance characteristics. So I am of the opinion that keris panjang was not intended to be a fighting weapon, though it could be used in a pinch.

[kai]

Hello David,

But it would seem to me that if a weapon were to be made in matial response to a European rapier that length would be just one of the considerations.

Which other aspects are you thinking of?

Regards,
Kai