East Timor Independence Sword

Mudi · 11th July 2006, 06:03 AM

This sword is very special. It is noble history of people who fight to be free. Our good friend Pedro Lopez owned this from grandfather and sold it some years ago. This is what was described about it then written by research person who interviewed Pak Pedro

For big picture

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-...11/Timtim1.jpg

This is a fine sword, with a buffalo horn sheath, embellished with a horse hair plume, and an 18th or 19th century European blade, engraved by the patriot owner. This wonderful artifact is from Dili, East Timor.

The quest for independence by the people of East Timor is a well documented, and even recently a most eventful quest. This sword comes from the grandson of the original owner, Erika Francisko Suares of Manuko Liria, Dili, East Timor. Manuko Liria basically translates to the house name, or family kampung, family concentration as it were, or family members within the city of Dili itself. The grandson?s name is Pedro K. Lopez. The blade is engraved as follows:

ERIKA FRANCISKO SUARES.K.MANUKO LIRIA.TIMOR-TIMUR.DILI

"Timur" means East. For example, East Java is called "Java Timur." East Timor is "Timor-Timur" or often called "tim-tim." Mr. Lopez vividly recounted the exploits of his grandfather, Erika Francisko, beginning in the late 19th century as a young man, a son of the Liurai, or native Timorese rulers against the Portuguese. As he recounts, during the bloody rebellions between 1893 and 1912, this sword was "busy." The sword was then retired during what Mr. Lopez calls the sleepy depression of East Timor during WWI up until WWII.

Then, upon the occupation and oppression of the Japanese, it was "re-awoken." The role of this sword during that period is not totally clear. Both his grandfather and father were "underground" combatants aligned to the Australian troops in East Timor to fight and resist Japanese occupation. By the end of WWII, some 40,000 to 60,000 East Timorese were killed, either in combat with the Japanese, or simply slaughtered by them. His grandfather was killed by the Japanese during this time.

The recent role of this sword is not something Mr. Lopez feels comfortable discussing. That this sword participated in recent events to assure independence from Indonesia is clear on his face, but his reluctance to offer specificity is understood. Although a gentle man, of great stature and a noble quietude, his face and eyes clearly reveals the horrors of war. In the hours we spent with this gentleman, a warrior himself, it became clear he wanted to once and for all retire this great weapon?seemingly in pursuit of peace from the demons that haunt every warrior.

The blade, as previously mentioned, is clearly European. The style of the sheath, handle, horse hair plume, etc, is classic Maluku. While East Timor is at the eastern edges of the Nusa Tenggara region of Indonesia, thus on the edge of western areas of the Maluku, it is clear that Maluku cultural influences are evident. Both the sword and sheath are in excellent original condition. There are copper and twine bands that are wrapped in succession around the sheath. The sheath is stained in a green color, fashioned from buffalo horn. The handle is also of solid buffalo horn, and inset with strings or horse hair which fashions the graceful and noble plume. The small brush attached was explained by Mr. Lopez as made from pig or boars hair, and was used as a tooth brush. The overall length is 74.7 cm. The overall length of the sheath is 59 cm. The horse hair plume is 49 cm in length and the blade width at the hilt, or handle, is 2.7 cm. The hilt, or handle length is 17 cm. The blade, from hilt to end is 45.5 cm.

Rick · 11th July 2006, 03:45 PM

I had no idea there were two of these in existence , both owned by the same family .

nechesh · 11th July 2006, 08:14 PM

I'm sorry, but isn't this the very same sword that Wayan posted just before he was banned from the forum?

A. G. Maisey · 11th July 2006, 11:43 PM

Looks the same to me , David.

Possibly our new friend Mudi is a distant relative of our old friend Wayan.

Mark · 11th July 2006, 11:58 PM

I've locked this thread while we review the situation.

Mark · 13th July 2006, 12:06 AM

I've re-opened the thread, because quite honestly there isn't really a reason to keep it locked. No apparent policy violations in the thread (so far).

Let me just say, however, that if you would like to add to the discussion, just talk about the sword. Nothing productive will come from commenting on the similarity of this sword to another previously posted.

Dha Moder-ogre

VANDOO · 13th July 2006, 12:54 AM

A INTERESTING SWORD WITH A INTERESTING STORY. THE ONLY THING I SEE THAT MAY BE WRONG IS THAT THE BLADE IS VERY POORLY MADE FOR A EUROPEAN BLADE THE FULLER IS ESPECIALLY ROUGH SO PERHAPS IT IS NATIVE MADE OR AT LEAST SEVERLY MODIFIED WITH PRIMATIVE TOOLS AT SOME TIME. ITS NICE TO SEE A COMPLETE EXAMPLE THAT HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF AND WITH ITS HISTORY INTACT.

11th July 2006, 06:03 AM	#1
Mudi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Makassar, (Ujung Pandang), Sulawesi, Indonesia Posts: 38	East Timor Independence Sword This sword is very special. It is noble history of people who fight to be free. Our good friend Pedro Lopez owned this from grandfather and sold it some years ago. This is what was described about it then written by research person who interviewed Pak Pedro For big picture http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-...11/Timtim1.jpg This is a fine sword, with a buffalo horn sheath, embellished with a horse hair plume, and an 18th or 19th century European blade, engraved by the patriot owner. This wonderful artifact is from Dili, East Timor. The quest for independence by the people of East Timor is a well documented, and even recently a most eventful quest. This sword comes from the grandson of the original owner, Erika Francisko Suares of Manuko Liria, Dili, East Timor. Manuko Liria basically translates to the house name, or family kampung, family concentration as it were, or family members within the city of Dili itself. The grandson?s name is Pedro K. Lopez. The blade is engraved as follows: ERIKA FRANCISKO SUARES.K.MANUKO LIRIA.TIMOR-TIMUR.DILI "Timur" means East. For example, East Java is called "Java Timur." East Timor is "Timor-Timur" or often called "tim-tim." Mr. Lopez vividly recounted the exploits of his grandfather, Erika Francisko, beginning in the late 19th century as a young man, a son of the Liurai, or native Timorese rulers against the Portuguese. As he recounts, during the bloody rebellions between 1893 and 1912, this sword was "busy." The sword was then retired during what Mr. Lopez calls the sleepy depression of East Timor during WWI up until WWII. Then, upon the occupation and oppression of the Japanese, it was "re-awoken." The role of this sword during that period is not totally clear. Both his grandfather and father were "underground" combatants aligned to the Australian troops in East Timor to fight and resist Japanese occupation. By the end of WWII, some 40,000 to 60,000 East Timorese were killed, either in combat with the Japanese, or simply slaughtered by them. His grandfather was killed by the Japanese during this time. The recent role of this sword is not something Mr. Lopez feels comfortable discussing. That this sword participated in recent events to assure independence from Indonesia is clear on his face, but his reluctance to offer specificity is understood. Although a gentle man, of great stature and a noble quietude, his face and eyes clearly reveals the horrors of war. In the hours we spent with this gentleman, a warrior himself, it became clear he wanted to once and for all retire this great weapon?seemingly in pursuit of peace from the demons that haunt every warrior. The blade, as previously mentioned, is clearly European. The style of the sheath, handle, horse hair plume, etc, is classic Maluku. While East Timor is at the eastern edges of the Nusa Tenggara region of Indonesia, thus on the edge of western areas of the Maluku, it is clear that Maluku cultural influences are evident. Both the sword and sheath are in excellent original condition. There are copper and twine bands that are wrapped in succession around the sheath. The sheath is stained in a green color, fashioned from buffalo horn. The handle is also of solid buffalo horn, and inset with strings or horse hair which fashions the graceful and noble plume. The small brush attached was explained by Mr. Lopez as made from pig or boars hair, and was used as a tooth brush. The overall length is 74.7 cm. The overall length of the sheath is 59 cm. The horse hair plume is 49 cm in length and the blade width at the hilt, or handle, is 2.7 cm. The hilt, or handle length is 17 cm. The blade, from hilt to end is 45.5 cm. Attached Images Last edited by Mudi; 11th July 2006 at 06:07 AM. Reason: mispel

11th July 2006, 03:45 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	Interesting Sword I had no idea there were two of these in existence , both owned by the same family .

11th July 2006, 08:14 PM	#3
nechesh Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 940	I'm sorry, but isn't this the very same sword that Wayan posted just before he was banned from the forum?

11th July 2006, 11:43 PM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,893	Looks the same to me , David. Possibly our new friend Mudi is a distant relative of our old friend Wayan.

11th July 2006, 11:58 PM	#5
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	I've locked this thread while we review the situation.

13th July 2006, 12:06 AM	#6
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	I've re-opened the thread, because quite honestly there isn't really a reason to keep it locked. No apparent policy violations in the thread (so far). Let me just say, however, that if you would like to add to the discussion, just talk about the sword. Nothing productive will come from commenting on the similarity of this sword to another previously posted. Dha Moder-ogre

13th July 2006, 12:54 AM	#7
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	A INTERESTING SWORD WITH A INTERESTING STORY. THE ONLY THING I SEE THAT MAY BE WRONG IS THAT THE BLADE IS VERY POORLY MADE FOR A EUROPEAN BLADE THE FULLER IS ESPECIALLY ROUGH SO PERHAPS IT IS NATIVE MADE OR AT LEAST SEVERLY MODIFIED WITH PRIMATIVE TOOLS AT SOME TIME. ITS NICE TO SEE A COMPLETE EXAMPLE THAT HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF AND WITH ITS HISTORY INTACT.