Interesting Information

[Robert]

Hello,
Mods, if this is not the correct place for this post please move it to the correct location. I found this will looking for something completely different and thought some of you might be interested. This is just one section and the complete text can be viewed at http://www.archive.org/stream/politi...buoft_djvu.txt I hope this is not too long. Enjoy.

Sir Stamford Raffles, in his history of Java, at- tributes the introduction of the kris to Panji, a Javanese prince and hero, who flourished A.J. 846, (nearly equivalent to A.D. 921), and informs us, " that under the second Prince of Majapahit, called Brokomara, or Browyaya, the Second, the manufacture of arms of various descriptions was brought to the highest perfection (A.J. 1247) ; and the first damasked krises were then made by the pandi (smiths) from Pajajeran, who be- came so distinguished, that they were appointed to the charge of districts, with a thousand chacha each." The Javanese traditions, not content, however, with so modern and uninteresting an origin for their favourite weapon, tell us, that a Hindoo prince of Java, named Sakutram, came into the world with a kris of the kind, termed pasopati, by his side; but, according to Mr. Crawfurd, the more learned Javanese ascribe the invention of this weapon to Inakarto Pati, king of Janggolo, in the beginning of the fourteenth century, A.D. affirming, that the sculptures of the more ancient temples of Java strictly adhere to a foreign costume, and exhibit no traces of the kris, whilst the temples on the mountains of Lawa, show several examples of it as far back as the beginning of the fifteenth century, A.D. In the ancient kingdom of Menangkabowe, upon the island of Sumatra, the inhabitants have, ac- cording to Marsden, from the earliest times manu- factured arms for their own use, and to supply the northern inhabitants of the island, who are the most warlike ; which trade they continue to this day ; smelting, forging, and pr-eparing by a pro cess of their own, the iron and steel for this pur- pose, although much of both is, at the same time, purchased from Europeans. The inhabitants of Celebes and Bali carry their traditions of the introduction of the kris to a very remote date. The arms manufactured by the Bugis are in great repute among the Malays ; also those made at Menangkabowe,* particularly the matchlocks and swords ; and those of Rum- bowe in the Peninsula. Rumbowe is celebrated for a particular sort of kris, called " Guloh Rumbowe." The Malays of Malacca ascribe the introduc- tion of the kris to the celebrated Hong Tuah, who flourished in the reign of Mansur Shah, Sultan of * " At Menancabo excellent poniards made, called creeses ; best weapons of all the Orient." (Argensola, 1609.) Malacca, (1374, A.D.) This opinion, however, seems to be incorrect, as we find in the Sejara Malayu, that Mahomed Shah I., Sultan of Ma- lacca, issued an edict to forbid the inlaying of krises with gold, and wearing golden ornaments about the feet and hands, &c. ; and that San Guna, who lived in the reign of Sultan Mahomed Shah II., was the first who manufactured at Malacca krises of three spans and a half in length, and on that account, and in consequence of his handsome person, was much favoured by his sovereign. Mr. Crawfurd is of opinion, that the sword is of more modern date among the Malays than the kris, and that the use of the kris had in all likelihood its rise in a more vulgar, but more effectual cause, the scarcity and dearness of iron in a country where, unless imported, it must have been scarcer and dearer than gold itself. It is not to be supposed, he goes on to state, without a cause so adequate, that the Indian islanders, any more than semi-barbarians, acquainted with the use of iron, would have neglected the useful and formi- dable sword, for the trifling ineffectual dagger. That the Indian islanders have continued the use of their favourite weapon, after the cause has in a great measure ceased to operate, needs not ex- planation to those who are aware of the obstinate adherence of barbarians to ancient habit and custorn, particularly in matters where national pride and vanity are engaged." Mention of the sword, however, is made in earliest accounts of the origin of the Malayan nation, long previous to any notice of the kris. In the Sejara Malayu, for instance, when Bichi- tram Shah, eldest son of Rajah Suran, quits the residence of his father, the city of Bijnagor, in the land of Kling, and arrives in the country of Palembang, at the mountain Segantang Maha Miru, he is made to declare, " We are neither of the race of Jins nor of Peris, but we are men ; as to our origin, we are the descendants of Rajah Secunder Zualkarnein, and the offspring of Rajah Suran, the King of the East and West; our genealogy ascends to Rajah Suleiman ; my name is Bichitram Shah, who am Rajah ; the name of this person is Nila Pahlawan, and the name of the other, Carna Pandita. This is the sword Chora sa medang Kian,* and that is the lance Limbuar ; this is the signet Cayu Gampit, which is employed in the correspondence of Rajahs." The sword also is frequently found sculptured on ancient temples and stones in Java, long prior * The Chora sa medang Kian is the celebrated sword with which Peramas Cumunbang killed the enormous serpent Sicatimuna, which ravaged the country of Menangkabowe about the beginning of the rith century. 200 WEAPONS. to the kris of the fifteenth century. Both the ancient and modern symbols of royaUy used at the coronations of their rajahs and princes, are swords (rarely krises) of state, called Pedang Kerajaan, often ornamented with jewels, and richly inlaid with gold. The Malays themselves say that, among weapons the sword has highest claims to antiquity, and the spear next. Among the regalia of the state of Kloukong, one of the seven into which the island of Bali is divided, there is, however, a kris, said to have originally belonged to the kingdom of Majapahit ; the na- tives of the island use the spear, kris, sword, and fire-arms, all of which they manufacture, with the exception of the locks of the latter, which are procured chiefly from Java. The bisi pamur, or damask iron, of which the blades are partly composed, is brought from Celebes and Java. This is mixed with the iron of old hoops, nails, or a sort of iron brought from Billiton, which is accounted of an excellent quality for this purpose, in the proportion of one- fourth of the bisi pamur to three fourths of the other iron. These are blended together, and beaten into a flat bar, which is split into two portions, and two strips of steel inserted between them, so as to form the edges and point of the kris, and then all are again beaten together.The kinds of damask preferred at Malacca are those termed Pamur Pusat Belanak (the damask like the navel of the fish Belanak), in shape of a scroll ; that termed Pamur Biji Timun (the da- mask like the cucumber-seed) ; and the Pamar Alir besar (the damask like the capital letter Alif.) The Chinese smiths at Malacca make the blades, the handles, and sheaths. The latter consist of three distinct parts, the sampiran, or ornamented part of the handle ; the sarong, or body of the sheath ; and the buntul, or ferrule at the end : these are fabricated by Malay artificers. The sampiran and buntul are generally of more pre- cious woods than the body of the sheath. Ebony, ivory, kamuning, and Amboyna wood, tooth of the pou fish or belanak, and the duyong and buffalo horn are the substances generally selected for the handle and sampiran. The Malays at Malacca prefer kamuning wood, from superstitious motives. The pendoka is an ornament of the handle, made of brass, gold, or swasa, an alloy of the above metal. The art of inlaying kris blades with gold, &c. is now not known at Malacca. In the interior, at Palembang, Siac, Pontianak, and Tringanu, are able artists in this line. The Chinese blacksmiths at Malacca manufacture im- mense numbers of Malayan implements of agri- culture, biliongs, choncoles, pangalis, and parangs, not only for the Peninsula, but also for the oppo- site coast of Sumatra. I annex an account of the several varieties of the kris, and of the process of damasking, trans- lated from a Malay MS. TRANSLATION OF MALAYAN MS. ON KRISES, AND PROCESS OF DAMASKING. FASL I. On the Pamur, or Damasking of Krises, If the damasking of a kris only reach within a finger's breadth of the point, and if it reach the edge, it is inauspicious for combat. Should the damask not be even with the point, a stab made with such a kris would err ; but if even, then the kris will never deviate, although its possessor lose strength to thrust ; still, by the grace of God, it will hit the mark should he cast it at his adversary. If it be damasked on both sides, it is good ; but not so should the damask be separated at in- tervals. If the damask on the point be that of Alif besar, (a damask running in the shape of the Arabian letter Alif), the kris is good for combat ; but it is not lucky to wear such a weapon while trading, nor one in which the damask runs from the pangkal (the stem which runs into the handle,) to the tali. If it possess the Alif damask near the handle, the middle, and point, it is very auspicious for commercial transactions ; men cannot resist the force of the possessor's arguments ; should it be worn whilst planting, the crop will be fruitful. The possessor will be irresistible in fight, nor can any person thwart his wishes. If the kris (called Tuah) have the pamur kutilang, or the bird's-eye damask, at its point and stem, it becomes entitled to the appellation " Manikou de Ujong Gala," (the ruby at the end of the pole.) The possessor of such a kris is most lucky. If the damask be that of battu ampar, and reach to the " ganja," (the lower part of the blade immediately above the ikat tah), it ensures the safety of the wearer. FASL II. On the Blade of the Kris. If the blade of the kris be split, in the direction of the tali tali (the silk and ratan appendage by which the kris is fastened in the girdle,) you cannot return an adversary's thrust with it. If the betala be cracked to the ikat tali, (or bottom welt,) it is not auspicious. Should the point of the kris be split, it is a sign that it requires blood ; if this want be not gratified, the possessor becomes sick. FASL III. On the Badiky or Sendrik, If the blade of the " badik " be damasked all over to its edge, it is lucky to wear while trading, or dividing property. If the back bear the da- mask Alif, it is also good for trading with, or for combat, by God's assistance. If the blade have the pamur gunong, or mountain damask, it softens the hearts of men, and is good for trading and warlike excursions. If the lines of damask be of equal breadth from the pangkul to the tali, and straight, it is auspicious. Should the belly of the blade be veined, it is lucky to trade, and good for making a stab with, as the possessor's antagonist will not be able to return the thrust. If the damask be that called pamur kait (or the damask like a hook), it is auspicious. Should the back of the blade be damasked and streaked, it is good ; and also, if it has the " pa- mur belangur" in one or two places only, and on its back. If the damask run waving from the top to the bottom of the back, it is very auspicious. tl«^I.«h"n. dtf t^tMoa KRISES. 205 EXPLANATION OF PATTERNS OF DAMASK FOR KRISES. No. 1. — An auspicious damask for the kris Cherita. No. 2. — This damask was invented by Pan- ghiilu Rumpak for the kris Sempana : which, thus damasked, is worth forty dollars. No. 3. — It is lucky to wear a kris with this damask in trading and voyaging. No. 4. — The Pamur Gunong, or Mountain Damask. The person wearing a kris thus dam- asked cannot be overcome, as there is a talisman in the " Pamur Gunong." No. 5. — An auspicious damask for the kris " Sapukal" or " Penimbul." No. 6.— The " Pamur Tiga Alif," or damask of the three Alifs ; is used for the Penimbul. No. 7. — The damask " Alif," it is auspicious to wear a weapon thus damasked. No. 8.— The Pamur " Tujoh Pendapatan," or damask of the seven properties, for the kris Penimbul. No. 9- — The kris Sempana thus damasked, is very auspicious. No. 10.— The damask of the kris called " Sa- pukal," invented by Panghulu Rumpak, its value forty dollars. 206 KRISES. The damask Pamur Mayur Mengurie, (open- ing blossom), the Pamur Pattye, (Pattye signifies a sort of bean), Pamur Secat, or damask barred, are also esteemed. How to damask krises, — Place on the blade a mixture of boiled rice, sulphur, and salt beat to- gether, first taking the precaution to cover the edges of the weapon with a thin coat of virgin wax. After this has remained on seven days, the dam- ask will have risen to the surface ; take the com- position off, and immerse the blade in the water of a young cocoa-nut, or the juice of a pine-apple, for seven days longer, and wash it well with the juice of a sour lemon. After the rust has been cleared away, rub it with warangan (arsenic) dis- solved in lime juice ; wash it well with spring water ; dry, and anoint it with cocoa-nut oil. FASL IV. Measurement of Krises. Measure the kris with a string below its aring, (a jutting out of the blade near its bottom,) to its point ; cut the string and fold it trebly ; cut off one of the trebles, and with the remaining two, measure up the blade of the kris, then make a mark how far the string reaches. Measure the blade across at this mark, and find how many times its breadth is contained in two thirds of its KRISES. 207 length ; cut the string into as many pieces. These form the " sloca" or measure of which the kris consists. If none of the string remain over, the blade is perfect, if a minute portion remain, it is less perfect, but if half the breadth remain, or more, it is " chelaka," unlucky. The Krises most preferred are those of the kinds termed Simpana, Cherita, and Sapokal. The Kris Panjang is worn generally by the Ma- layan aristocracy, and bridegrooms. I have seen some beautiful specimens of this weapon in Rum- bowe, worn by the chiefs of that state. The blades resembled that of a long keen poniard, of Damascus steel ; the handles of ebony, covered with flowered gold, and sheaths richly ornamented with the same metal : they are used in the ex- ecution of criminals. Malays do not prize their krises entirely by the quantity of gold with which they may be inlaid, but more for their accurate proportions, agreeably to the measurement which is laid down in their treatises on this subject ; the damask on the blade , the antiquity and a certain lucky quality that they may possess, either from accurate proportions, the damask, the having shed human blood, or from supernatural endowment like the famous sword, " Excalibur." This pro- perty is termed "betuah," which signifies literally,which signifies literally, exempt from accident, invulnerable. The re- verse is termed " chelaka," ill-omened. They believe the " betuah," in some cases imparts in- vulnerability to the possessor of such a kris, which is handed down as an heir loom from father to son, and honoured as something divine. The kris is, as with the Javanese, an indispensable article in dress on particular occasions, and there are nume- rous regulations regarding the wearing of it. The Undang Undang Malacca contains strict in- junctions, which are observed to this day, against a person of inferior birth wearing a kris orna- mented with gold.

Robert

[Rick]

Thank you Robert !!
Shamelessly stolen for the Warung ...

Raffles 'History' is a massive work .

[A. G. Maisey]

Raffles makes very interesting reading for anybody with an interest in keris and things Javanese.

The original is prohibitively expensive and fairly difficult to find in libraries, but there is an Oxford U.P. re-print that is not so difficult to find, and not too expensive.

[Gonzalo G]

Thank you for this reference, Robert. I didin´t kew this book, and though I use to explore that site, there are many books and some guidance is needed. A good bibliography related to arms and armour with this old books would be useful.
Regards

Gonzalo

[migueldiaz]

Thanks Robert for the info!

[Robert]

Thank you all for your kind comments. When I accidentally found this I really enjoyed reading it and just wanted to pass on the information. I'm glad you all are enjoying it.

Robert