Iban Parang with brass ferrule

Maurice · 24th December 2008, 02:05 PM

I really like these massive handles. Simple and no sophisticated carvings but with an overall impressive shape!

Happy holidays and healthy and good 2009!
Maurice

VVV · 24th December 2008, 03:43 PM

I am not 100% sure that this one is Iban but it looks like Sarawak anyway.
It seems like a great blade and scabbard as well, if you don't mind sharing?

Michael

Maurice · 24th December 2008, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VVV

I am not 100% sure that this one is Iban but it looks like Sarawak anyway.
It seems like a great blade and scabbard as well, if you don't mind sharing?

Michael

OK agree Michael, I edited the word Iban in Sarawak.
I hope because of this thread we can figure out if this is iban or not.
Enclosed some pics of the scabbard and of the blade. The blade is decorated the same on both sides.

Maurice

Maurice · 24th December 2008, 04:04 PM

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Maurice · 24th December 2008, 04:06 PM

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Dajak · 24th December 2008, 05:49 PM

Nice one Maurice I did had one with brass ferrule too .

Did buy that one from klefish some time ago must be in an catalogue off them

Scabbard looks like North Borneo .

Handle Iban .

Can I see other side off the blade it does not look like Iban

Ben

Atlantia · 24th December 2008, 06:02 PM

These are really not my field so I find myself a little out of my depth when reading the threads, but I just wanted to say what an attractive piece this is, and ask if there is a special significance to the groups of copper dots on the blade?

Gene

asomotif · 24th December 2008, 09:44 PM

Nice sword Maurice !

Good pictures too

Maurice · 25th December 2008, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dajak

Can I see other side off the blade it does not look like Iban.

Scabbard looks like North Borneo .

Ben

Hi Ben, the other side of the blade is exactly the same decorated. So no difference!

PS what makes you think the scabbard is north Borneo? Is it the carving at the top?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlantia

I just wanted to say what an attractive piece this is, and ask if there is a special significance to the groups of copper dots on the blade?

Hi Gene, the copper dots are common on borneo blades. I think it is just more decoration or maybe to give some spiritual strength or protection to the owner. But these kinds of dots are unlikely to be the numbers of heads that went off with it if that is what you mean.

Quote:

Originally Posted by asomotif

Nice sword Maurice !
Good pictures too

Hi Willem, I will sent you the provenance of my new camera!

Dajak · 25th December 2008, 08:11 AM

Hi Maurice the metal bands on the scabbard and the type off scabbard mostly indicate North Borneo .

I just want to see the other side to tell if it is and Iban mandau I explain it when you overhere why .

Ben

Maurice · 25th December 2008, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dajak

Hi Maurice the metal bands on the scabbard and the type off scabbard mostly indicate North Borneo .

I just want to see the other side to tell if it is and Iban mandau I explain it when you overhere why .

Ben

Hi Ben,

The wider bands that indeed looks like metal bands on the pictures, are in fact old horn bands. At the picture you can see how such band is fastened at the back of the scabbard.

I will try to take some pics today of the other side of the blade.

Maurice

VVV · 25th December 2008, 10:59 AM

Thanks for the nice pictures.
I also have one resembling yours in hilt and blade, but no scabbard.
Unfortunately the scabbard didn't help me on deciding what tribe it is.
My hunch is also along the Western part of Sarawak and maybe the border to Sabah.

Michael

Maurice · 25th December 2008, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VVV

Thanks for the nice pictures.
I also have one resembling yours in hilt and blade, but no scabbard.
Unfortunately the scabbard didn't help me on deciding what tribe it is.
My hunch is also along the Western part of Sarawak and maybe the border to Sabah.

Michael

Thanks Michael, I know which one you mean.
But the copperwindings of yours looks more patinated. Maybe mine had to much polishing in the past.

I will post the pics of the blade (both sides) in the next replying post beneath, maybe Ben can see something in it which can tell exactly what tribe it is.

Maurice

Maurice · 25th December 2008, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dajak

I just want to see the other side to tell if it is and Iban mandau I explain it when you overhere why .

Ben

OK Ben, here pics of different parts of the blade from both sides from beginning to the tip.

Maurice · 25th December 2008, 02:08 PM

Other side!

Dajak · 25th December 2008, 08:57 PM

Yes Maurice this is Iban

And Michael is right about the north part off Sarawak

Ben

Atlantia · 25th December 2008, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maurice

Hi Gene, the copper dots are common on borneo blades. I think it is just more decoration or maybe to give some spiritual strength or protection to the owner. But these kinds of dots are unlikely to be the numbers of heads that went off with it if that is what you mean.

LOL, you know when I was a kid these invariably were labelled 'headhunters swords' but no, I meant as in some talismanic or spiritual protection.
Thanks, and its really nice!

Gene

Maurice · 25th December 2008, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dajak

Yes Maurice this is Iban

And Michael is right about the north part off Sarawak

Ben

Thanks Ben!

Maurice

Maurice · 25th December 2008, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlantia

LOL, you know when I was a kid these invariably were labelled 'headhunters swords' but no, I meant as in some talismanic or spiritual protection.
Thanks, and its really nice!

Gene

Hi Gene,

There are dots which might can be referred to the number of heads taken with the sword according to some forumites. But it are definately not the dots you see here.
The dots which count the number of heads taken are more placed without a symmetric patern.
But the opinions differ about this!

Maurice

asomotif · 26th December 2008, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Yes Maurice this is Iban

Ben,

Is it Iban because the bands (this time horn instead of metal) are bind with a small rope on the back ?

Dajak · 26th December 2008, 02:45 AM

[ I meant as in some talismanic or spiritual protection.
Thanks, and its really nice!

Gene[/QUOTE]

I do have one parang Ilang that have dots they use for taken heads and witchcraft symbols

Ben

Dajak · 26th December 2008, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asomotif

Ben,

Is it Iban because the bands (this time horn instead of metal) are bind with a small rope on the back ?

No not allone that.

Ben

Maurice · 13th October 2009, 10:15 PM

When reading through my Borneo books, I suddenly stumbled over an old photo in a National Geographic magazine of an Iban warrior which is carrying a sword with a similar "lookalike" scabbard as mine.

So maybe I nailed down the origin and call my parang from now on an Iban parang. (as far that it is not a North Borneo sword which was captured by this Iban after taking the poor Dusun dajak's head

).

Maurice · 13th October 2009, 10:19 PM

And here my scabbard for comparison.

asomotif · 13th October 2009, 11:10 PM

Nice picture ! good research !

Would like to have a real close up of those bracelets... Strange construction

Ps.:

Quote:

(as far that it is not a North Borneo sword which was captured by this Iban after taking the poor Dusun dajak's head ).

It would be interesting to find also the matching Dusun head...

Maurice · 13th October 2009, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asomotif

Nice picture ! good research !

Would like to have a real close up of those bracelets... Strange construction

Thank you Willlem. Do you mean the bracelets on the fore arms or above the elbows? (I suppose you mean the one above the elbows).

Quote:

Originally Posted by asomotif

Ps.:
It would be interesting to find also the matching Dusun head...

If he keeps anoying me, my supervisor's head at work will do fine!!!

asomotif · 13th October 2009, 11:46 PM

The ones above the elbow indeed.

BTW, Nice avatar picture.

Maurice · 14th October 2009, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asomotif

The ones above the elbow indeed.

I think it is the same construction as the bracelets worn by this dajak.

My guess would be that 1 bracelet above the elbows are in fact 3 bracelets worn next to eachother.

Sajen · 14th October 2009, 02:01 AM

The white ones look like they are from shell.

asomotif · 14th October 2009, 09:28 PM

Quote:

The white ones look like they are from shell.

Yep, the white parts will be shell.
And probably Maurice is right and above and below are separate bracelets made form rattan or something similar.

24th December 2008, 02:05 PM	#1
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,346	Sarawak Parang with brass ferrule I really like these massive handles. Simple and no sophisticated carvings but with an overall impressive shape! Happy holidays and healthy and good 2009! Maurice Attached Images Last edited by Maurice; 24th December 2008 at 03:56 PM.

24th December 2008, 04:04 PM	#4
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,346	pics of the blade! . Attached Images

24th December 2008, 04:06 PM	#5
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,346	pics of scabbard . Attached Images

25th December 2008, 02:08 PM	#15
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,346	Other side! Attached Images

13th October 2009, 10:15 PM	#23
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,346	When reading through my Borneo books, I suddenly stumbled over an old photo in a National Geographic magazine of an Iban warrior which is carrying a sword with a similar "lookalike" scabbard as mine. So maybe I nailed down the origin and call my parang from now on an Iban parang. (as far that it is not a North Borneo sword which was captured by this Iban after taking the poor Dusun dajak's head ). Attached Images

24th December 2008, 03:43 PM	#2
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	I am not 100% sure that this one is Iban but it looks like Sarawak anyway. It seems like a great blade and scabbard as well, if you don't mind sharing? Michael

24th December 2008, 05:49 PM	#6
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	Nice one Maurice I did had one with brass ferrule too . Did buy that one from klefish some time ago must be in an catalogue off them Scabbard looks like North Borneo . Handle Iban . Can I see other side off the blade it does not look like Iban Ben

24th December 2008, 06:02 PM	#7
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	These are really not my field so I find myself a little out of my depth when reading the threads, but I just wanted to say what an attractive piece this is, and ask if there is a special significance to the groups of copper dots on the blade? Gene

24th December 2008, 09:44 PM	#8
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,225	Nice sword Maurice ! Good pictures too

25th December 2008, 08:11 AM	#10
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	Hi Maurice the metal bands on the scabbard and the type off scabbard mostly indicate North Borneo . I just want to see the other side to tell if it is and Iban mandau I explain it when you overhere why . Ben

25th December 2008, 10:59 AM	#12
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Thanks for the nice pictures. I also have one resembling yours in hilt and blade, but no scabbard. Unfortunately the scabbard didn't help me on deciding what tribe it is. My hunch is also along the Western part of Sarawak and maybe the border to Sabah. Michael

25th December 2008, 08:57 PM	#16
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	Yes Maurice this is Iban And Michael is right about the north part off Sarawak Ben

26th December 2008, 02:45 AM	#21
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	[ I meant as in some talismanic or spiritual protection. Thanks, and its really nice! Gene[/QUOTE] I do have one parang Ilang that have dots they use for taken heads and witchcraft symbols Ben

13th October 2009, 10:19 PM	#24
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,346	And here my scabbard for comparison. Attached Images

13th October 2009, 11:46 PM	#27
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,225	The ones above the elbow indeed. BTW, Nice avatar picture.

14th October 2009, 02:01 AM	#29
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,786	The white ones look like they are from shell.