KRIS AND MALAY WEAPON

Lok of the kris

2012-01-10T06:34:00.001-08:00

The kris blade often has undulations (lok), usually seven or nine, though up to thirty one.

Lok being a Malay word for curve. The number of curves or waves in a kris blade are counted as lok, five lok, thirteen lok etc.

Lok are counted by starting at the first concave curve near the base of the blade on its underneath side. The number of lok are always odd.

An odd number of lok assures that luck will be good. The wavy blade is also thought to create a more damaging wound though the kris is a difficult blade to wield in combat.

A three lok blade represents passion, ardour and fire. The kris with five waves is believed to have the power to shoot esoteric fire.

A kris with thirteen waves is associated with stability and peace both materially an spiritually.

Lok of the kris

The Malay smith of kris

2011-10-17T17:54:00.000-07:00

The making of the kris was a work involving great power and art the empu or ‘smith’ was considered a holy man and his work was fraught with ritual.

The empu puts into kris far more than just dexterity and judgment of physical properties. He belief in the mystic significance of what he is doing sets him apart from other smith.

His weapon are magic weapon and in his often exalted state at his incandescent forge he forges his beliefs into that host blade.

He prepares the kris himself physically and emotionally though ritual procedures handed down from smith to smith.

In making the blade a number of pieces of iron and steel are cut and forge down until they form plates.

This include ‘besi baja’, ‘besi pedang’, ‘besi kurai, besi rantai’ and many other.

The shape and size of the kris vary within a very wide latitude, depending upon the geographical area and the mission for which the blade was designed.

All forging is veiled in mysticism and the smith controls these arts with secretive jealousy.

Not all the kris today are functional, Newly made ones are more for decoration purposes than for combat.

Traditional, old kris are kept as family heirlooms and are passed from generation to generation.
The Malays smith of kris

Cleaning the kris blade

2011-09-08T18:18:00.000-07:00

A novel used of citric acid is in removing rust from steel objects. The blade of a traditional Malay kris, is rubbed with a slice of lime to remove rust.

By etching the surface of the blade it also will revealed an attractive pattern of irregular wavy lines associated with variations in composition of the metal.

Citric acid occurs widely in nature. Large amounts are present in citrus fruits such as oranges, limes and lemons.

Kris is cleaned once a year.

Normally it started with cleaning the blade thoroughly off all the grease and dirt using soap and water. Then cleaning the blade by repeating hard brushing using a brush and lime segments and with frequent rinsing until all traces of rust are gone.

Incensed is burned to it and prayers offered., and the blade later coated with a fragrant oil.

Some people clean the rust off the wavy metal blade with coconut oil that also made the pamor pattern more visible and then purified the kris in fragrant incense.

While for others the blade soaked in sulphur and salt mixtures followed by treatment with arsenic and limes.

The use of arsenic and lime juice to clean and etch the blade in the stages of preparation has given rise to the idea that all kris blades were poisonous.
Cleaning the kris blade

The blowpipe

2011-07-02T18:27:00.001-07:00

The blowpipe constructed from bamboo. It consists of an inner and an outer tube.

In an outer, protective tube, the distal section appears to fit into the proximal, but the joint is concealed by a rattan binding covered with black gummy substance.

Blowpipe is more as a hunting weapon, and is effective for small tree dwelling game such as squirrels, monkeys, bats, and birds and for this reason alone its use is restricted to the forest.

In open areas air movement can easily deflect the more or less weightless darts.

Other than used by Negritos in peninsula blowpipe is the main projectile weapon of the Borneo interior for generations and is typically carved from hard wood such as Koompassia excelsa, Eusideroxylon zwageri or Artocarpus nitidus and capable of accurately delivering a dart to an animal in the rainforest canopy.

The history shows how the Portuguese were greatly frightened of the Celates (famous for guerrilla warfare on the high sea) and their skills with the blowpipe. As written by Tome Pires: They carry blowpipe with small arrows of black hellebore which, as they touch blood, kill, as the often did to our Portuguese in the enterprise and destruction of the famous city of Malacca….

What made the blowpipe missiles so dangerous, of course was the poisonous substance on the tips. The poison is derived from ikan pari, a species of stingray.

For Penan in traditional times the fish poison was used said to be tuwa ilang (Strychmos) and tuwa lukat (Derris elliptica).

The poison works by arresting the heart in systole and is believed to ‘remain potent for an indefinite length of time’.
The blowpipe

Making the kris blade

2011-06-13T21:51:00.000-07:00

The material composition of the kris is to a great extent related to its magical function.

The designs on the blade are made with different kinds of metal and in the ideal situation, iron from meteorites has to be used to confirm the kris relationship with cosmos.

Silver and black damascene patterns along the length of the blade are created by beating altogether alternating layers of iron and nickel, rubbing the blade with citrus blackens the iron to bring out the design, called pamor.

The central value involved is the idea that all aspects of the cosmos have to be balanced to secure well-being for people and society.

The power of kris, is a kind of magic sacred power. That power often believed to have its own independent existence, such that the kris can itself move from place to place and from owner to owner. Sometimes, it is from the nature of the material like iron used; sometimes such a kris simply appears supernaturally.

The making of kris blade was a long an involved process, known only to a pandai kris or empu, a special craftsman with magical powers who had a knowledge of material composition of the blade.

It was said that old mater blacksmith used twenty types of iron, mixed into an alloy, ordered by The King to make special kris for Hang Tuah. The iron was reduced by hand to fashion the kris.
Making the kris blade

Tekpi in Silat

2011-04-02T00:26:00.000-07:00

Intrinsic silat technique is the use of the curious weapon the tekpi. This is an metal truncheon provided with two short, curved spikes coming off the sides.

In Malay silat, students must learn and practice the motions empty-handed before being allowed to use the tekpi.

Its origin may date back to the impact of Hindu culture in Malay Archipelago between AD 300 and AD 400.

Some says, its originated as a farming implement.

Tekpi technique is most highly developed in Malay Peninsular, and Jawa.

It is very good as a defensive weapon, effectively against the blade, stick and deliver an effective counter attack by means of striking, thrusting or hooking with the weapon.

It also can be used to break opponents sword or stick.

Silat artist often use two tekpi at once, catching swords with the tekpi’s curved spikes. By using one tekpi can be slid down the length of a sword to effortlessly disarm an attacker.
Tekpi in Silat

The Oldest Kris

2010-09-23T03:50:00.000-07:00

The Oldest Kris
Kris Buddha is a rare type of kris thought to be older than kris Majapahit. Thus type usually takes the form of a rough, short and wade blade. It has a squared tang, rather than the bent over human figure which always forms the hilt of the Majapahit kris.

Javanese legends and early manuscripts maintain that the first kris was made around AD 230 by the master smith Ramayadhi.

Early krises were leaf shaped and were called pasopati, paso or pisau, meaning knife, and pati, meaning deadly.

Antique krises are kept as heirlooms or votive objects, and some are said to posses magic power. In ancient times forging of kris was veiled in mystery.

This was the period of the Majapahit Empire, based on in Java, and stretching to the Philippines.
According to Babad Jawi, the curved blade appeared around AD 329 made by Bromogedali by order of the king of Medangkemulang.
The Oldest Kris

Stamford Raffles and The Origin of Kris

2010-08-10T03:20:00.000-07:00

Stamford Raffles and The Origin of Kris
There are many theories as to the origin of the kris. One school predominantly Western, holds that the weapon evolved in Central Java prior to the fourteenth century from Hindu beginnings.

From evidence that the kris existed in that era was first reported by Raffles in 1817 after visiting the ruins of the Hindu temple at Sukuh, twenty six miles east of Surakarta.

Raffles, a brilliant scholar and tireless observer, provides a sketch of Vishnu one of the principal Hindu gods, holding a kris while straddling his mount, the bird god Garuda.

Then he provides a sketch and an excellent description of what has since become known as the Candi Sukuh forge scene.

The forge scene is a sculpture stone triptych depicting the manufacture of what surely must be kris blades.

Raffles, interpreting thee inscriptions with the aid of scholars he employed in his work, established the date AD 1362 for the Candi Sukuh complex.

So the weapon in a form that we recognize as a kris is at least 600 years old according to the evidence of the Candi Sukuh carvings.
Stamford Raffles and The Origin of Kris

Hulu Kris Jawa Demam

2010-06-17T02:50:00.000-07:00

Hulu Kris Jawa Demam
The handle or grip or hilt prefers a method of differentiation of the kris. This important part of the weapon is called the ‘ulu’.

One of the commonest and best known handles is identified as the jawa demam (the fever stricken Javanese).

The outline of the handle resembles a man hugging himself as if in the grip of fever chills.

Handles of old krises depict human figures or animals, while the designs on the newer ones tend to be abstract or geometric.

Another name of Jawa Demam is Jawa Demang. The structure of the ‘ulu’ originated from ‘ulu’ Anak Ayam. The difference that Jawa Demang given to much make-up compare with ulu Anak Ayam.
Hulu Kris Jawa Demam

Other related articles:
Kris Pekaka
Kris Tajong

The Kris and Man

2010-05-18T01:49:00.000-07:00

The Kris and Man
A man’s kris, his dagger is believed to represent him, thus giving him an important beyond its mere physical as a weapon.

Outwardly, the shape of the kris often represents a ‘naga’, or snake. Its hilt may be carved on ivory with ‘raksaksa’ (demon) images to drive away the evil spirits.

The grip on a nobleman’s kris holds gold, rubies, diamonds and sapphires. The blade is ridged and sharp, giving it a ‘wavy’ look.

The number of lok (wave or ridges) is usually seven or none but may be as high as thirty-one always an odd number because of it assures good luck.

Ornaments on the blade such as leaves, ‘garuda’, or ‘naga’ signify protection. Both handle and blade decorations use traditional designs.

The Javanese and Balinese believe that the kris has a soul of its own. Some are believed to have the power to talk, fly, turn into a snake, or even father human children.

If the blade is pointed at someone or inserted into the shadow or footprint of an intended victim, it is capable of killing that person.

Proper way for a man to wear a kris is at his back, fastened in the girdle, positioned so that the lower end of the sheath is on his left and the grip is above the girdle on his right.
The Kris and Man

Weapon in silat

2010-04-22T05:44:00.000-07:00

Weapon in silat
The range and diversity of Southeast Asian weapons and armory is astonishing. Hundred of predominantly bladed weapons appear across the Malay world.

In Peninsular Malaysia it is possible to learn how to handle many different weapons including badik, bow and arrow, chain, golok, kapak kecil, kerambit or lawi ayam, keris, lembing, jembia, parang, pedang, pisau sanggul, sarung, sundang, trident and tumbok lada.

The kerambit has a small curve blade shaped like a “tiger’s claw” and has a hole in the handle for the middle finger to pass through. The blade curves out from inside of the fist, jutting out to the side in a small yet sharp foreword facing hook.

Although less easily concealed, the parang has proven killing efficacy and provides the ideal means of decapitate someone as demonstrated in numerous “deadly ethnic riots” during the last century.

Some silat experts may conceal several knives about their person, which could come in handy if they are unexpectedly held down or pinned in a lock.
Weapon in silat

Kris in general

2010-04-01T06:39:00.001-07:00

Kris in general
The kris is the distinctive weapon of Malaysia and Indonesia. These countries from the geographical and cultural area once referred to as the Malay world.

The kris is found in a variety of forms ranging from northern Sumatra and Malaysia to far-distant Mindanao in the Philippines.

All of the forms show decide similarities which unite krises in to a single, easily recognized family.

Typically, the kris is an elongated dagger or short sword of slender proportions with a blade or rough texture sharpened on both edges.

The base of the blade at the holt always widens at one side in an appearance suggestive of a modified sword catching arrangement.

This is part called ganja, and it is the sudden widening on one side that unites all krises into a common family.

The kris is seldom very sharp, this combined with its light weight indicates that it evolved as a thrusting weapon for personal defense.

The blade may be sinuous or straight and is often damascened with beautiful patterns forged into the steel.

The wavy or serpentine blade is regarded as the classic kris form, but it is probably predated by the straight blade form.

Straight blades are plentiful in collections; they may be found in an appropriate ratio of two straight blades to three wavy blades.
Kris in general

The Magic of Javanese Keris

2010-03-06T00:31:00.001-08:00

The Magic of Javanese Keris
Javanese keris with straight or curved blade and with a great magical power.

Keris can have good or bad influences on people, and some of them can frighten people to an extreme extent.

The keris can be held responsible for illness and death and are considered to be active actors in social life. The material composition of the keris is to a great extent related to its magical function.

The designs on the blade are made with different kinds of metal and in the ideal situation, iron from meteorites has to be used to confirm the keris’ relationship with the cosmos.

The central value involved is the idea that all aspect of the cosmos have to be balanced to secure well being people and society.

The upper world and the lower world, the male and the female, the good and the evil have to be in balance to secure and stimulate human life.

Imbalance will cause illness, misery and death. Similarly principles can be found in the well known Javanese wayang theatre.
The Magic of Javanese Keris

Kerambit

2010-02-18T04:03:00.000-08:00

Kerambit
The kerambit is a sharply curved blade indigenous to the Malaysia, Indonesian Archipelago and certain regions of the Philippines.

They are frequently double edges. Many martial artists believe that the biomechanics of the weapon allow for more powerful cutting strokes, particularly against an attacker’s limbs, than a traditional straight blade.

Kerambit can do a lot of damage even with a short cutting edge. Because they have an integral finger ring, they are difficult to disarm and may allow better control than a traditional straight blade knife with a conventional handle.
Kerambit

Tun Perak

2010-01-26T01:55:00.000-08:00

Tun Perak
Tun Perak was the most capable and best known bendahara (chancellor/chief minister) of the Malay sultanate of Melaka in the fifteenth century.

This son of Bendahara Seriwa Raja of the bendahara line was at first, at insistence of the people, made penghulu (chieftain) of the district of Kelang to the north.

Having proved his courage and ability in the defensive war against the first Siamese invasion in 1445 – 1446, Tun Perak was brought in the capital and given the title paduka raja, which placed him next in the authority to the bendahara, Tun Ali.

To resolve the enmity between the two that was splitting the Melaka population into opposing camps, Sultan Muzaffar Syah divorced one of his wives, Tun Kudu – incidentally Tun Peraks’s elder sister.

She was then married to the elderly schemer Tun Ali, who retired; unity was restores after Tun Perak was made the bendahara.

A capable man, Tun Perak survived the reigns of Sultan Muzaffar Syah and Mansor Syah and live through a major period of the reign of Alaudin Ri’ayat Syah.

Under his wise, strong and charismatic leadership, Melaka was able to ward off repeated Siamese attacks and expanded its territory.
Tun Perak

Hulu Keris Jawa Demam

2010-01-26T01:36:00.000-08:00

Hang Tuah, Hang Jebat and Taming Sari

2010-01-12T07:02:00.000-08:00

Hang Tuah, Hang Jebat and Taming Sari
Recounted in the seventeenth century epic Hikayat Hang Tuah, the tale of the duel between Hang Tuah and Hang Jebat symbolizes the conflict between absolute loyalty to the sovereign an the love of a friend.

These two characters together with Hang Kasturi, Hang Lekir and Hang Lekiu formed a band wagon as “The Five Companions” (because of their close relationship since birth), and were highly trained in the martial arts.

When they saved the life of the Bendahara Paduka Raja, the highest official in the Malay Court, Sultan Mansur Shah was so impressed by their skill that he appointed them court attendants.

Hang Tuah rapidly became between the Sultan’s favorite and was honored with a beautiful kris, Taming Sari, which was said to have supernatural powers.

Thus over favoritism rankled with other long serving officials, who, in the absence from court of the rest of the companions, conspired to cast a slur in Hang Tuah’s reputation by spreading the rumor that he had seduced one of the sultan’s consorts.

On hearing the accusation, the sultan was so enraged that he ordered the immediate execution of Hang Tuah. But the Bendahara, knowing the charge to be false, had Hang Tuah to repay his debt to him, reporting back to the sultan that he deed had been carried out.

When Hang Jebat returned to the palace he was shocked to discover Hang Tuah’s supposed death and rampaged though Melaka, killing everyone in sought as retribution for the life od his treasured friend.

Sultan, in fear of his own life, soon began to regret his decision, at which point the Bendahara revealed the truth and Hang Tuah was brought back to protect the sultan from Hang Jebat’s fury and to exact justice for the murders committed.

Hang Tuah wrestled hard with his conscience before deciding that the sultan had the absolute right to dispose of his subjects how he wished.

So, with a heavy heart, Hang Tuah drew his kris against Hang Jebat and after a protracted fight, killed him, a much recounted tale whose moral – of deterrence to the sovereign – is seen by some as setting the seal on the Malay system of government.
Hang Tuah, Hang Jebat and Taming Sari

Mandau

2009-12-04T18:49:00.000-08:00

Mandau
The mandau comes from South Borneo, the land of the Dayak. The Mandau is a jungle as well as the traditional head hunting sword.

The handle is usually decorated worth goat heir or human hair.

The mandau may be used in combination with a shield, and the blade may be coated with poison for special occasions.

While head hunting is supposedly no longer part of the Dayak animistic religion, there is no doubt the mandau is still capable of deadly battle.
Mandau

The Ganja

2009-10-28T17:48:00.000-07:00

The Ganja
The unique feature of the kris, which serves to distinguish it on sight from all other weapons, is the sudden widening of the blade just below the base, which is normally set not quite at right angles to the axis of the blade.

A raised collar guard (ganja) forms the base of the blade.

Some times it is made in one piece with the blade (ganja iras), sometimes of a separate piece of metal (ganja menumpang).

Just below the raised rim of the ganja there is often a shallow depression in the blade, which some people called kambing kacang.

The head or shank (tangkai or paksi, in the Malay Peninsular) is a pin too thin, one would suppose, to hold blade firmly in the hilt, projecting though the ganja along the axis of the blade.

The slant of ganja makes one end of it sharp, (the aring or silang, Malay Peninsular) and the other end blunt (dagu).

For distance of an inch or more below sharp serrations (janggut).

On the dagu side is the feature most people notice first in the contour of the blade, a projecting spike curving upwards and inwards (belalai gajah).
The Ganja

The Work of the Japanese Blades

2009-09-30T23:47:00.003-07:00

The Work of the Japanese Blades
The finest example of controlled work in the forging of a sword blade is the Japanese blade.

It too is fashioned by repeated folding and hammerings of two different steels but usually the softer allow is forged into a central core with the harder steel forming an envelope.

The envelope or skin is then rough ground, tempered and finally finish-ground with a series of an abrasive stones. The tempering process, done with a clay resist, ensures an extremely hard edge with a less hard but tougher body.

The line that joins the hard edge with the softer body of the blade is called the yakiba or temper line.

It run the full length of the blade and may take many predetermined aesthetic forms.

The yakiba is often considered the finest example of damascening in a sword blade, but it also should be noted that it is brought about by imposing uneven temperatures in the tempering process, rather than because of two dissimilar metals meeting at the temper line.
The Work of the Japanese Blades

Kris Pekaka IV

2009-09-08T09:01:00.000-07:00

Kris Pekaka II
Kris pekaka is common in Kelantan and Pattani.

Ulu pekaka or “kingfisher head” handled which may also seen on kris of the Celebes. One feature of the kris is that handles are loosely attached, and can be turned easily on the tang.

It is certainly one of the most flamboyant and dramatic kris variants in the family of kris form. Most commonly associated with the ethnic Malay region of Pattani in Southern Thailand, the pekaka variant is known to have originated in the Northwestern Peninsular Malaysia state of Kelantan.
Kris Pekaka II

Badik

2009-08-15T08:19:00.001-07:00

Badik
Small weapons of the knife are common throughout Indonesia and Malaysia.

Most common are the badik and the pisau.

In the old days of the Malay States the badik was a formidable weapon. A straight bladed, one edged dagger it served ideally for close-in fighting and was a favorite tool of assassination, for it can easily be concealed in the folds of one’s garments.

The warrior Raja Haji fought the Dutch at the zenith of their supremacy in Malacca and immortalized the badik as a symbol of resistance.

But it is to the Bugis and the Makassarese that the badik as a symbol of resistance. But it is to the Bugis and the Makassarese that the badik owes its infamy.

Neither of these peoples are without the badik. Preceding combat, a Bugis or Makassarese fighter will position his badik at his left front side.

It is drawn by a slashing withdrawal action blade edge facing the enemy, and then thrust forward into the abdominal cavity of the victim.
Badik

Lawi Ayam

2009-07-20T23:11:00.000-07:00

Lawi Ayam
Lawi ayam is also called kerambit is a short claw shaped dagger. It is designed for an upward ripping movement into the bowel of the victim.

It is also known as kuku ayam or rambai ayam.

The combination of the original design of the tiger’s claw combine with the hand weapons of the ancient characters of the Mahabhrata and the Ramayana – the lawi ayam has evolved into what is known in modern times as kerambit.

It is now recognized internationally as a traditional weapon of Malay self defense, silat.
Lawi Ayam

Rencong

2009-06-27T04:32:00.000-07:00

Rencong
The L-shape rencong has a here to ten inch blade made of white iron or yellow metal, with a sheath of buffalo horn, ivory or exotic wood.

The pistol like grip allows powerful one or to handed blows as well as the kick thrust.

Since Acehnese are usually barefoot, developing the necessary foot strength and the suppleness for kick thrusts was not as difficult as it sounds.

Boys would practice walking or running with sticks held in their toes until they could easily maneuver the rencong.

The blade was carried upward between the first two toes, and the handle curled under the others.

Some rencong were not even sharpened since they were designed for stabbing, Sometimes it was left impaled in the victim’s belly or groin, held by the barbs at the base of the blade.

When used in two hands for a rib strike, the handle could be turned like a coffee grinder to produce a more destructive wound.
Rencong

Spear and Ranjau

2009-05-27T19:30:00.000-07:00

Spear and Ranjau
The spear is second to the kris alone. A small description is called lembing; it is usually hurled at the enemy from a distance; the spear heads are either round or flat and seldom exceed six or eight inches in length.

The larger spear is called tombak; it is used equally as an offensive and defensive weapon. It does not differ from the lembing in shape but is double the size and is of far greater use than the kris.

A favorite weapon of defense is the ranjau; it is a double pointed stick, seldom exceeding six inches in length, and is used to defend stockades; for several yards before the breast work they are thrust into the ground having one end up to the naked feet they are insurmountable but are easily trod under foot with thick soled shoes.
Spear and Ranjau

Spear

2009-04-30T10:22:00.001-07:00

Spear
Weapons of this class from their simplicity and the abundance of materials for them, must in the Indian islands, have been after clubs, the earliest weapon used and notwithstanding the introduction of fire-arms, they still continue in present use, even among the most civilized tribes.

The half savage inhabitants of the little islands of Maktan in the Philippines encountered, defeated and slew Magellan and several of his companions, with no other weapon than bamboo spears, sharpened at the end and hardened in the fire, and long spears were the chief weapons of Javanese when they made a show of encountering the British troops in 1811, near here centuries later.

The Javanese spear or lance is about twelve feet long, and is armed with a simple iron pike.

In the hands of resolute men, disciplined and acting in unison, this would have been a formidable weapon; but it is probable that the effectual discipline never existed.

A phalanx of men thus armed resists the spring of the tiger.

The most general name for the spear in all the languages of the Malay Archipelago but not extending to the Philippines is ‘tombak’ which have been originally Javanese.

In Malacca, Javanese also bring many kinds of arms for sale such as spears, shield and swords with handles worked in kris.

In the polite language of Java, it is the same which in Malay and Javanese expresses ‘iron,’ the reference in both cases, being to the principal part of the weapon, the pike.

For the javelin or half pike the Javanese and Malays have the same name, which is ‘lembing’.
Spear

Kris Blades III

2009-04-03T21:33:00.000-07:00

Kris Blades III
Blades containing pure nickel are termed ‘pamor nekel’.

Blades containing terrestrial nickel are often described as ‘tajamnya tiga’ (three sharps) – that is sharp on each edge and at the point.

A kris of meteor iron is called ‘tajamnya lima’ (five sharps) because the texture of pamor made with meteor iron is sharp to the touch thus providing two additional sharps.

Forging of kris blades can be compared to early Persian blades in a method called ‘pattern wielding’.

Expert called this ‘mechanical damask’ and relates that sometimes in the seventeenth a steel known as ‘wootz’, imported from India, changed the method of forging Persian blades.

A simple billet of wootz, when forged and cooled slowly, undergoes a transformation of its crystalline structure, which after being polished and etched produces beautiful damask.

This termed ‘crystalline damask’ and the superiority of blades so produced. Both types of damask are referred to as ‘watered steel’, a term used by collectors of arms and armor to denote any steel with damascene markings.
Kris Blades III

Kris Blades II

2009-02-23T16:42:00.000-08:00

Kris Blades II
The blades may be straight or wavy. In calculating the number of times (lok) in a blade Malays count the number of times the blade turns inward towards the central axis form bases to tip.

Imagine two lines, one on either side of the blade, drawn to form an envelope touching it tangentially at the crests of the waves.

The number of points contact on both sides of the blade is the number of waves.

This number is always odd, never even except in rare anomalous weapons.

In the Malay Peninsular the favorite straight-bladed kris is the kris sepukal, although some people name is also given in Java to a wavy kris.

The favorite wavy kris is the kris sempana with three, five or seven lok.

According to an old belief the deadliness of a kris in combat increases with the number of waves it possesses.

It is usually with a multi-waved kris that the hero of classical romance runs amok and strikes down his enemies with superhuman strength.

One kris may vary from another not only in the number of waves it possesses and their shape but also in the type of curvature they exhibit.

Some wave-forms are sinusoidal, that is they show the maximum degree of curvature at the point furthest from the center.

Others are arcs of circles, sometimes approaching semi-circles when the blade crosses and re-crosses the axis almost at right angles.

The typology of kris blade is a vast study itself. In a few cases only is the reason for the name which tradition had given them obvious, e.g., kris majapahit, and the five-waved kris pandawa in allusion to the Mahabharata story of the five warrior brothers.
Kris Blades II

Weaponry in silat

2009-01-30T18:56:00.000-08:00

Weaponry in silat
Virtually a silat styles, particularly Filipino silat, emphasize weapons training. In the areas where silat originated, carrying a weapon – usually one of the bladed varieties - was for generation a fact of life for the general male populace.

A silat practitioner will normally be skilled with a knife, stick, sword, staff, spear, rope, chain, whip, projectile weapons or a combination thereof.

The kris sword, with its wavy blade, is one of the most common weapons in Indonesia and Malaysia.

Another wicked weapons found in Indonesia is the kerambit (tiger’s claw), a short, curved blade used to hook into an opponent’s vital points. According to the expert, the kerambit is used in an upward, ripping manner to tear into the bowels of the victims.

Most silat systems emphasize low, quick kicks, primarily because of the likehood the practitioner will be confronting an opponent armed with a bladed weapon.

A good rule of thumb is to never try a kick against a knife-wielding opponent, unless the kick is delivered at close range and is used as a support technique.
Weaponry in silat

Kris Blades

2009-01-19T23:54:00.001-08:00

Kris Blades
Kris blades vary considerably in shape and size. Original kris majapahit blades are only six or seven inches long and must have been almost useless for fighting.

Yet one would have thought that if they were used only as charms there must have been a still earlier kris of proper utilitarian value for their efficacy to be recognized.

The rapier-like kris panjang of Sumatra and the sword-like kris sundang of the Celebes, over two feet long from handle to tip. If extremes like these are excluded the length of the normal kris blade may be taken as twelve to sixteen inches.

The cross section of the blade may be almost flat as in many undamascened types or slightly elliptical or diamond shaped as in the kris panjang.

In heavily damascened ornamental blades it may a series of shallow steps up to the mid-point from either side.

Sometimes there is a raised rib (tulang, kuku) running down the center with a shallow groove (lurah) on either side of it. One type kris (kris teterapan) has narrow channels running down the whole length of the blade.

Cracks (retak) on certain positions on the blade are thought to be lucky. The kris retak bandut with cracks near the pointed end of the base and the kris retak dagu burok with cracks near the blunt end appear as famous weapons in Malay folklore, conveniently disposing of the craftsman’s lack of skill.

The grooves, called retak mayat ‘corpse grooves’ started from the base of the blade, the damask called pamur janji appeared half-way up and the damask called lam jilallah at the point; the damask alif was there parallel to the edge and where the damasking ended the steel was white.
Kris Blades

Golok

2009-01-07T20:28:00.001-08:00

Golok
The chopping knife used by the Malays was the golok. This had a convex curved cutting blade. The knife capable of delivering a chopping blow enough to bring down most of animals. The blades most revered for their effectiveness.

It is a favorite Malay jungle weapon, which is also used in war before.

The golok has a heavy, single edged blade, straight on the back, nearly square next the hilt with a highly convex cutting edge.

It is used in nearly all of the Malayan countries and there are great variations in size and in the shapes of the hilts and scabbards. The blades are from six inches to a couple of feet in length.
Golok

The Kris in History

2008-12-19T13:00:00.000-08:00

The Kris in History
So few kris blades have been unearthed has led some people to assume that the various Malay kingdoms were peaceful and adverse to war.

The more likely explanation is that pre-Muslim Malays attributed such magical power to sword blades that they were only very rarely buried.

One historian writes that “the process of forging the sword from clumps of iron ore and meteorite into a sharp blade of patterned steel is often seen as a parallel to the process of purification to which the soul is subjected after death by the gods.”

The earliest date for a kris is the 14th century – they are depicted in the relief of Candi Panataran and possibly also at Candi Sukuh, both in Java. However, in all likelihood they were introduced considerably earlier – possibly during the 10th century.

At that time every man in Malay world, rich or poor, must have a kris in his house…no man between the ages of 12 or 80 may go out of doors without a kris in his belt. Even women sometimes wore krisses.
The Kris in History

The Kris in the Malay World

2008-12-10T17:38:00.000-08:00

The Kris in the Malay World
The kris occupies a important place in Malay warfare, art and philosophy. It is a short sword – the Malay word kris mean dagger – and the blade may be either straight or sinuous, sharpened on both edges. Such was the high reputation of these weapons that they were exported as far as India.

Krisses are often attributed with the peculiar powers – one was reputed to have rattled violently before a family feud.

Another, kept at the museum, has a particularly bloodthirsty reputation. It would sneak away after dark, kill someone, and then wipe itself clean before miraculously returning to its display cabinet.

Because each kris has a power and spirit of its own, they must be compatible with their owners. Nor should they be purchased – a kris should be given or inherited.
The Kris in the Malay World

Parang Latok

2008-11-18T08:00:00.000-08:00

Parang Latok
Parang latok is Dayak knife, also used as a sword. It has a heavy, single edged blade widest near to the point.

The blade makes and obtuse angle with a square shank on which there is a wooden handle without a guard. It is varied in a carved wood sheath that is only long enough to hold the blade proper.

The parang latok is a weapon peculiar to the Malays, who use it with great skill; but its singular shape, incomprehensible at first sight, and at all times objectionable, has effectually barred its popularity among foreign nations.

The blade is about two feet long and a couple of inches broad at the point from which it narrows down to the junction the hilt, where it becomes square and half an inch thick.

The hilt is bent at an obtuse angle to the blade, which makes the instrument exceedingly awkward to handle; and in fact, when used for chopping wood or any peaceful purpose, the grasp is taken at the bend and not at the hilt.

In war, however, the full length of the parang is used, and it must be evident, on refection, that its cut will be very severe, since, in consequence of its peculiar bend, the edge is involuntary drawn through the wound from hilt to point, thereby enlarging and deepening the gash.
Parang Latok

Kris Tajong for Warrior

2008-11-05T02:43:00.000-08:00

Kris Tajong for Warrior
The kris tajong is regarded as a warrior’s kris. Aggression is conveyed by the dark wood and in the fierce expression of the face carved in the hilt. The legs and arms found on early hilts are no longer present in this example as a result of Islamic influence though Langkasukan motifs on the body spiral and in the detail carving are still visible. The crosspiece of the sheath is flared, a shaped that is to derive from the fishing vessels of the same name in Pattani. The third eye of Siva is lightly engraved along the lower edge of the crosspiece.

It has been descried by many writers as a pekaka. The use of the term pekaka can probably be traced to an error on the part of one of the early British colonial researchers of the kris. Although it does resemble a bird, closer look at the handle shows it to be more of a "demonic" figurine.
Kris Tajong for Warrior

Bali keris

2008-10-23T02:22:00.001-07:00

Bali keris
The material culture of power is most perfectly represented by an object famous throughout the Malay archipelago: the keris. Keris instantiate particularly potent relations to the invisible world. They were, if anything, even more important in pre-colonial Bali.

Keris are long daggers, stabbing weapons suitable only for close combat. As objects, they are often spectacular. The longer edge of the upper part of the blade is frequently carved with curlicues, barbs or even figure. Silver and black damascene patterns along the length of the blades are created by beating altogether alternating layers of iron to bring out the design, called pamor. Many keris also have wavy blades, resembling flames or the sinuous motion of snake. The curves of the blade (luk), like the roofs of Balinese shrines, come in odd numbers. To compare keris blades and shrine roof is not whimsical, the blade keris is in certain ways a portable shrine, and in both instances, the greater the number, the higher the spirit that inhabits them.

During the days Balinese smiths still manufactured keris, their skills involved more than a knowledge of forges and bellows, every step of the process required the recitation of mantras and the making of offerings , before the keris was finally brought to life by means of ritual. Through these processes each keris was shaped to have a distinct “personality” – a distinct form of efficacy. To maintain a keris’s power requires a symbolic reproduction of its creation through a regular practice of making offerings. The day known as Tumpek Landep, Saturday-Kliwon in the week Landep (which means “sharp”), is sacred to metal object and weapons, especially keris. On that day, keris are taken down from their shrine, lovingly cleaned and rubbed with oil, purified with holy water and provided with offerings. The most important of these, the tebasan pasupati, the ingredients of which are entity red (the meat of a red chicken, red rice, red fruits, red pastries and a dab of chicken blood), recharges their “kesaktian”.
Bali keris

Pamur of the Malay Kris

2008-09-19T02:28:00.000-07:00

Pamur of the Malay Kris
In the hottest part of the Malay forge the temperature was not high enough to melt the impure iron and produce a homogeneous alloy. The pamur, whose pattern could not be controlled, gained a talismatic value. Blades with unusually striking pattern on them must have been much in demand. It cannot have taken the smith long to discover that this natural veining could be reproduced or improved upon by hammering this layers of scarp-iron over the finished blade.

This artificial control of pamur would enable the smith to manufacture blades whose markings showed them to be lucky, according to prevailing belief, for any given purpose such as war or trade. It opened up the possibility that variations in the appearance of the pamur, reflecting small differences in the technique of manufacture, would be characteristic of the districts from which the blades came.

The Malay weapon expert says that pamur helps in making the mysterious value if the kris asserts itself. All old krises have pamur. It is especially during the manufacturing of the blade decoration that the smith show himself in his full scared function. Actually they are many design of pamur. Each of them is related to some particular dignity, status or profession.
Pamur of the Malay Kris

Malay Weapon: Kris Tajong

2008-09-05T22:55:00.000-07:00

Malay Weapon: Kris Tajong
The most important kris form to originate in the Kelantan-Terengganu-Pattani region is the Tajong. The kris Tajong has, in fact, become synonymous with this region, though examples of similar hilts are occasionally found elsewhere in the Malay world.

The ‘hulu’ or hilt of the tajong was originally a carved representation of the Hindu god Siva, adapted in a fashion similar to his characterization in the wayang kulit shadow puppet theater. The earliest form of the tajong found to date, possibly seventeenth century, is the hulu kris coteng which has a simple, fairly flat head with elongated nose, and clearly defined arms and legs on the body. The arms sometime appear to be carrying a waisted drum, which would appear to be a ‘damaru’, one of the Siva’s favorite attributes.

Through the centuries, with changing worldviews and in particular, conversion to the Islamic faith, these features were gradually subsumed by floral and vegetative decoration. The nose became longer and adopted a marked tilt at the tip, which echoed the lines of its sampir, or scabbard crosspiece. The tajong, in fact, got its name from its distinctive sampir, which resembles the uplifted, winged shape of a Pattani fishing vessel of that name.

The tajong has often been confused with the ‘pekaka’. The true pekaka evolved from the ‘jawa demam’, with a larger and straighter beak and is often carved from a material such as clamshell whale tooth or walrus ivory.

Hilt Keris Tajong
This is a very early piece with a flat head known as ‘hulu’ kris coteng, from Ligor, Pattani. It possesses strongly carved features; simple yet realistic arms, legs and face, with no beard and minimal crest. The Tajong spiral is sharply incised, as are the Langkasuka motifs on the cheeks. The light tilted nose is not decorated. Simple lotus petals are carved on the ‘buah pinang’. The pendokok is of beaten bronze.
Malay Weapon: Kris Tajong

Proper care of kris

2008-08-10T03:53:00.000-07:00

Proper care of kris
The art of kris includes various accessories designed for its proper care. In Sumatra and Malaysia a ‘keris pusaka’ or heirloom kris merited a special cushion for its response. In Java, krises of particular worth were often displayed on a wooden wall plaque carved in a vinyl or floral way or carved and painted with a ‘wayang’ theme. Krises of important families were sometimes stored in a fine cabinet built for that purpose. The best of this type of art comes from Bali.

There, the superb Balinese woodcarvers produced a unique sculptured figure for holding one or two krises. The figures are found in human or god-figure form, often benign in aspect but sometimes with a monstrous or ogre-like face. Some of the carvings are most imaginative in their depiction of unlikely creatures grasping, or in some way, holding a kris. These colorful accoutrements add much to the understanding of the art of the kris and to the special care given to it by Malays everywhere.
Proper care of kris

Kris and the Malay

2008-07-29T21:12:00.000-07:00

Kris and the Malay
The krises most preferred are those of the kinds termed Simpana, cherita and Sepukal. The ‘kris panjang’ (long kris) is worn generally by the Malayan aristocracy and the bridegrooms. The ‘kris panjang'; 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 execution of criminals in Malay Peninsular.

In the old days 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 in this subject; the damask on the blade; the antiquity and 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 property is termed ‘bertuah’, which signifies literally exempt from accident, invulnerable. The reverse is termed ‘celaka’ or ill-omened.
Kris and the Malay

Sundang as a Malay weapon

2008-07-14T17:57:00.000-07:00

Sundang as a Malay weapon
In Malaysian the sundang is the only two-edged sword of any importance, The straight one-edged sword with blade or even width is called the Malay peninsular chenangkas and in Jawa lamang. A heavier, two handed sword is called berandal in Borneo where it is most usually found. The Chinese and Japanese two handed sword is know as jenawi.

Some chenangkas have a metal cross piece at right angles to the axis of the hilt, perhaps to prevent the hand sliding up the hilt when the weapon is wielded by wrist pressure. Some are undoubtedly of recent manufacture and may be fakes.

Of the greater interest, and usually of finer workmanship too, is the curved sword known to the Malay as shamsir. This term is strictly applicable to only to the curved saber or scimitar of Persian origin. The Indian shamsir or tulwar is a cross-hilted sword. The hilt is usually of brass, sometimes of iron or silver, with pommel at the end to prevent the hand slipping when drawing cut is made. The pommel is large and hollow for lightness’ sake so that the balance of the sword is not upset.
Sundang as a Malay weapon

Kris in Java

2008-06-25T23:34:00.000-07:00

Kris in Java
For Javanese the Kris is most usually worn in such a manner as not to be instantly at hand. It is proper to wear it trust through the sash in an oblique way, lower end of the sheath on the left side, grip on the right side. If carried aring downward the intention is peaceful. Reversing the aring so that it points upward requires the normal sheath to be worn frontal side against the back; this is not usual, but such a wearing permits an instant draw and fast use of the blade.

The kris has also served as a tool of execution for criminals. The condemned man was made to kneel. His executioner stood behind him holding the kris above the condemned’s left shoulder. At a given signal the executioner plunged the blade in an oblique path, downward through the shoulder flesh near the collarbone and into the victim’s heart.

Javanese blade types do not stop with the kris. An almost unaccountable variety of blade designs can be found on this island. Some generalizations are possible and may sometimes be extended to then weapons of other areas of Indonesia. The terms pedang, kelewang, parang, pisau, golok, and arit all identify bladed weapons commonly seen on Java.
Kris in Java

Definition of pamor

2008-05-27T18:52:00.001-07:00

Definition of pamor
The term pamor is used to denote the Malay form of damascene markings. The word is Malay-originally meaning mixture or alloy. Now it is often used to describe the nickelous metal in the kris-marking process and just as often used to denote the variegated patterns produced by the pamor metal. To produce the effect, two or more dissimilar metals are used and ordinary iron combined with a nickel-bearing iron pf terrestrial or preferably meteoric origin.

Early in kris history 1600 A.D it was found that if one of the metals contained nickel, the pamor show bed sharply more contrast. Possibly at that time and certainly later nearly all nickelous iron came from the Celebes (Sulawesi) and was termed pamor luwu. Such iron was often called ‘white iron’ because being more etch-resistant it left silvery threads on an acid-darkened blade. Probably late in the eighteenth century the first kris blades were made containing nickelous iron from the meteor that had fallen near Prambanan in 1749. It was reported that the nickel content of pamor luwu as 0.4 per cent and pamor Prambanan as being 4.7 per cent. However, present day samples of the latter iron each essay a 9.4 percentage of nickel.
Definition of pamor

Blade

2008-04-28T00:11:00.000-07:00

Blade
The blade, always of steel, may be straight or sinuous; the scabbard, usually of wood, may be encased fully or partially in metal or is sometimes fully or partially of ivory. The hilt, usually of wood or ivory, is sometimes found in silver or brass and rarely, in gold or shell. The fittings are usually brass or copper, often silvered or gilded. Fittings of silver or gold are frequent, as are styles decorated with glass cabochons, or rough cut germs.

The blade is the most important part of the kris. Granting the technical superiority of the Japanese blade over all other, and the excellence of good Persian blades, the kris blade yet shows greater artistry and imagination on the forging and decoration of its many complex forms. Al three of these very different blades from quite different cultures are forged by procedures that are common in many respect.

The kris and early Persian blades were forged by a technique known as ‘pattern welding’ – one in which two or more layers of different steels were pounded together while red-hot, folded or twisted , pounded more and folded more until the desired numbers of layers, or laminae, were obtained. The rough sword blade so achieved was then filed and polished smooth and finally acid-etched to bring out the contrasting colors of the low and high carbon steels.

The pattern so obtained may be controlled by a skillful smith who produced all sorts of fanciful designs. The designs range from misty and diaphanous to bold, three dimensional textures. Some of their names are revealing: ‘rice grains’ or ‘nutmeg flower’; in Persian work, a ladder pattern called ‘forty steps’; in Japan work a superb textured wood –grain effect called mokume, etc.
Blade

Kris Pekaka

2008-02-18T18:18:00.000-08:00

This is also called Kris Patani or Kingfisher. Thia reference to the hilt, which may derived from the bird-herded Garuda, but it is often much more like demon, or one of the gods or demigods of the ‘wayang kulit’ , though they do not have such long noses.

It is worth remembering, however, that the ‘wayang kulit’ was, and still is very popular in Patani. A from of hilt showing a demon head with the teeth and tusks and a long nose, though not a beak like the ‘kingfisher’ type. The Patani blade is fairly long, and may be almost or quite as long as a Keris bahari.

Spirit of Kris

2007-12-10T20:35:00.000-08:00

Discussing the essence of the kris is a complicated topic. For the most part, blades were considered to almost be alive in some cases, or at the very least vessels of special powers. Krisses could be tested two ways. A series of cuts on a leaf, based on blade width and other factors, could determine if a blade was good or bad. Also, if the owner slept with the blade under their pillow and had a bad dream, the blade was unlucky and had to be discarded. However, just because a blade was bad for one person didn’t mean it would be bad for another. Harmony between the owner and the kris was critical.

It was said that some krisses helped prevent fires, death, agricultural failure, and myriads of other problems. Likewise, they could also bring fortune, such as bountiful harvests and the like. Krisses could also have tremendous killing power. Some are rumored to be able to stand on its tip when its real name was being called by its master. Legends tell of krisses moving on their own volition, and killing individuals at will. When making a blade, the empu could infuse into the blade any special spiritual qualities and powers the owner desires.

Many of these belief, however, were erroneously derived from the possession of different keris by different people. For example, there is a kind of keris in Java that was called 'Beras Wutah', which was believed to grant its possessor easy life without famine. In reality, this keris is mainly assigned to government officers that were paid, in whole or in part, with foodstuff (rice).

Because some krisses are considered sacred, and people believe they contain magical powers, specific rites needed to be completed to avoid calling down evil fates. For example, pointing a kris at someone is thought to mean that they will die soon, so in ceremonies or demonstrations where ritualized battles are fought with real krisses, the fighters will perform a ritual which includes touching the point of the blade to the ground to neutralize this effect.

Kris and Malay Weapon

2007-12-10T20:25:00.000-08:00

For all the magic and mysticism and ritual associated with the Kris, it was, for the first few hundred years of its existence, primarily a weapon of defense and sudden assault. Literature abounds with accounts of its use in assassinations and executions, intrigues, rivalry and sneak attacks.

Indeed, at one time and in some areas it was considered a despicable weapon, fit only for brigands, a weapons of treachery and with poisonous qualities at that. The very smallness of the weapon, fitted as it was with a bent- over or pistol-like grip made it a perfect stabbing instrument. It was easy to make a straight –line thrust to the belly or kidney of the victim while the elbow was bent. This made was effective in a confined space and no doubt contributed to its reputation as a weapon of ill reputed.