Hallooooo...After I discussed the traditional weapon of West
Java is Kujang, now I will discuss about the central Javanese traditional
weapons. Central Java has a traditional weapon keris.
Keris
Keris is a dagger stabbing weapon class (pointy and sharp on
both sides) with many cultural functions are known in the western and central
archipelago. The shape is distinctive and easily distinguished from other sharp
weapons because it is not symmetrical at the base of the dilated, often winding
blade, and many of them have the prestige (Damascene), is visible fibers of a
bright metallic finish on slats strands.
In the past keris serves as a weapon in a duel / battle, as
well as complementary offerings objects. In use today, is more of a keris
accessory items (ageman) in dressing, has a number of cultural symbols, or
becoming a collector's item that is assessed in terms of aesthetics.
Use of keris spread on area dwellers who never affected by
the Majapahit, such as Java, Madura, Nusa Tenggara, Sumatra, Borneo coast,
parts of Sulawesi, the Malay Peninsula, southern Thailand and southern
Philippines (Mindanao). Keris Mindanao known as dull. Keris in each region has
its own peculiarities in appearance, function, technique filmed, and
terminology. In traditional Javanese keris is not only regarded as a
traditional weapon that has a unique shape and prestige.
Keris is considered as the completeness of spiritual
culture. Keris is a traditional weapon Javanese also the symbol of male
virility. Symbolically keris symbolizes maturity, courage and virility
traditional Javanese man must be strong and able to protect themselves, their
families, or to defend the country.
In the past, keris is also used as a symbol of identity, be
it for yourself, family, or klan.Keris has a characteristic that symbolizes the
excess of their personality or character within the wider community. A long
time ago in the days of the kingdoms, the token keris.Keris high value is most
valuable is the provision of a Javanese king to his officers or courtiers. In
such an environment could be a symbol of royal rank keris. Keris king differ
from subordinate officers or courtiers. Not only keris blades are different but
also the details of jewelery is different complementary devices. Keris is
Considered as the completeness of spiritual culture. Keris is a traditional
weapon Javanese also the symbol of male Virility. Symbolically keris symbolizes
maturity, courage and Virility traditional Javanese man must be strong and Able
to protect Themselves, their families, or to defend the country.
Keris Indonesia has been listed as a UNESCO World Cultural
Heritage of Human Non-material since 2005.
Material
Base metals used in the making of keris there are two kinds
of metals ferrous metals and metal prestige, while pesi keris made of steel.
To make light of the master always combine these basic ingredients with other
metals. Keris present (NEM-Neman, made since the 20th century) usually wear
metallic nickel prestige. Past Keris (keris kuna) which both have the prestige
metal meteorite known to have a high content of titanium, in addition to
nickel, cobalt, silver, tin, chromium, antimony, and copper. Meteorite is the
famous Prambanan meteorite, which never falls on the 19th century temple complex
at Prambanan.
Manufacture
Keris vary from one master to another master, but there is a
procedure that usually resemble. Here is a brief process according to one of
the libraries. Blade of iron as a raw material or heated to glowing diwasuh
then forged repeatedly to get rid of impurities (eg, carbon and various
oxides). Once clean, the blades folded like the letter U for material prestige
plates inserted in it.
Furthermore, these folds back heated and forged. Once
attached and elongated, folded and forged this mixture back repeatedly. How,
strength, and position forge, and the number of folds will affect the prestige
that appears later. This process is called Saton. Final form is elongated slab.
The slab is then cut into two parts, called kodhokan. The steel plates are then
placed in between the two kodhokan like sandwich bread, then tied dipijarkan
and forged to unite. Kodhokan tip then made slightly elongated to be cut and
used marijuana. The next stage is to form pesi, bengkek (gandhik candidate),
and the final form is berluk or straight blades. Making luk performed by
heating.
The next stage is the manufacture of ornaments (ricikan) by
working on specific parts using a miser, grinding, and drilling, according to
dhapur keris to be made. Done with a reasonable Silak hone blades to see
prestige formed. Ganja was made to follow the bottom slats. Customized hole
size in diameter pesi.
The last stage, the plating, metal keris be done so that the
steel metal. In the Philippines keris not done this process. Gilding
("consider smb. Head metal") performed by inserting blades into a
mixture of sulfur, salt, and lime juice (called Kamalan). Plating can also be
done with a keris anneal then dipped into a liquid (water, salt water, or oil,
depending on the experience that makes the professor). Gilding the action
should be done with caution because if one can make a keris crack.
Treatment
Provision of arsenic and fragrance oils carried as keris
care in general. Care keris in Javanese tradition performed each year, usually
in the month of Muharram / Sura, although this is not a requirement. keris
term care is "bathe" keris, though in fact done is to remove the old
fragrance oil and rust on the blade keris, usually with acid (traditionally use
coconut juice, noni fruit crushed, or lime juice). Blades that have been
cleaned and then given arsenic as necessary to reinforce the prestige, cleaned
again, and then given a fragrance oil to protect from rust new keris. This
fragrance oil is traditionally use jasmine oil or sandalwood oil is diluted in
coconut oil.
morphology
Some terms in this section is taken from Javanese tradition,
which is available only as a reference.
Keris or dhuwung consists of three main parts, is blades (wilah
or leaf keris), ganja ("backbone"), and upstream keris (engraving,
keris handles). The part that should be there is the bar. Hulu may keris
separately or together with the blades. Ganja does not always exist, but a good
kris always have it. Keris as a weapon and a ceremonial instrument is protected
by a sheath or sheath.
Keris is a major part of which is the identification of a
keris. Knowledge of the form (dhapur) or morphology keris becomes important for
identification purposes. keris has many forms of spiritual symbols other than
aesthetic value. General things to consider in the morphology keris is a bend
(luk), ornaments (ricikan), color or beam blades, as well as patterns of
prestige. The combination of these components resulted in a number of standard
forms (dhapur) dagger that many libraries described in the keris.
Effect of time making style influence. keris-making style is
reflected in the concept of tough, which is usually associated with the
periodization of history and geography, as well as the masters who make.
Upstream or keris grip
A keris with a handle shaped Semar
The handle keris (Javanese: gaman, or upstream keris) is a
variety of motives, for the Balinese keris there that resembles a god, pedande
(priest), a giant, dancer, forest hermit and there kinatah carved with gold and
precious stones and usually studded with rubies. For Java keris handle, the
outline consists of sirah sidekick (back of the head), Jiling, cigir,
superficial, bathuk (front head), Weteng and cauliflower. For other regions
that have Indinesia keris, handle different names because that is the hallmark
of their respective areas.
Sheath or the sheath
Sheath, or the sheath (Banjar language: tainted), is a
component of the dagger that has a specific function, especially in the social
life of the Java community, not least because this is the part that is visible
directly. Early sheath made of wood (which is common teak, sandalwood,
Timoho, and yellow). In line with the addition of the times wrangka function as
a reflection of social status for its users. The uppers or ladrang-Gayaman
often replaced dengangading.
Broadly speaking there are two forms of the sheath, the
sheath ladrang type consisting of the parts: tweezers, lata, beard, gandek,
Godong (shaped like a leaf), axle, ri and cangkring. And the other type is the
type of wrangka Gayaman (Gandon) which is almost the same parts with wrangka
ladrang but not terdapatangkup, Godong, and gandek.
Wilah keris
Moro Keris (kalis) of Sulu, elder and no slats not berpamor.
Wilah, wilahan, or the main part of the blade is a keris.
Wilah keris was forged metal in such a way that it becomes a sharp weapon.
Wilah consists of certain parts that are not the same for every wilahan, which
is usually called the kitchen, or the naming of the various forms of wilah-bar
(there are dozens of forms of the kitchen). For example, Virgin tall kitchen
can be mentioned, jaka lola, pinarak, diadem murub, cauliflower, kebo Tedan,
pudak sitegal, etc..
(://various sources)
Don't forget to stop by my site to the next post discusses
traditional weapons East Java (Indonesia).
...Thanks...
