The
kris or keris is a distinctive, asymmetrical dagger indigenous to
Malaysia and Indonesia. Both a weapon and spiritual object, krises are
often considered to have an essence or presence, with some blades
possessing good luck, while others possessing bad.
The kris spread from
the island of Java, Bali and Lombok throughout the archipelago of
Indonesia and even to the Southeast Asian areas now known as Malaysia,
Brunei, Southern Philippines, Cambodia, Southern Thailand, Singapore and
Vietnam.
Kris vs. keris
The term keris comes from the Malay and means dagger. Kris is a European rendering of this Malay term. As noted by Frey (2003), kris is the more frequently used term. The correct term, keris, is justified by the title of the Enskilopedi Keris (Keris Encyclopedia) by the late Bambang Harsrinuksmo. Some collectors prefer keris, others kris. Older spellings include cryse, crise and criss.
The term keris comes from the Malay and means dagger. Kris is a European rendering of this Malay term. As noted by Frey (2003), kris is the more frequently used term. The correct term, keris, is justified by the title of the Enskilopedi Keris (Keris Encyclopedia) by the late Bambang Harsrinuksmo. Some collectors prefer keris, others kris. Older spellings include cryse, crise and criss.
Blade and fittings
Kris blades are usually narrow and have a wide, asymmetrical base. Blade length is highly variable. The blade is made from different iron ores and often contains nickel. A bladesmith, or empu, makes the blade in layers of different metal. Some blades can be made in a relatively short time, while more legendary weapons can take years or even a lifetime to complete. In high quality krisses the metal of the blade has been folded dozens or even hundreds of times and handled with the utmost precision. There are kris blades that carry the imprints of the smith's thumbs, or even lips, used in the forging process! The different metals formed into the blade give the steel its distinctive appearance. This is called pamor or pamir and is similar in concept to Damascus and Japanese steel. Blades are acid etched after forging to bring out the brilliance and darkness of the metals used. Iron ore sources are rare in some areas of the Malay world, especially in areas of Java. Empus are very resourceful in finding blade materials and have used everything from meteorite iron (rare and highly prized in blades) to scrap from fallen World War II aircraft. Kris blades can be straight or sinuous. With sinuous blades, the bends are called luks. Most krises have fewer than 13 luks and there will always be an odd number.
Kris blades are usually narrow and have a wide, asymmetrical base. Blade length is highly variable. The blade is made from different iron ores and often contains nickel. A bladesmith, or empu, makes the blade in layers of different metal. Some blades can be made in a relatively short time, while more legendary weapons can take years or even a lifetime to complete. In high quality krisses the metal of the blade has been folded dozens or even hundreds of times and handled with the utmost precision. There are kris blades that carry the imprints of the smith's thumbs, or even lips, used in the forging process! The different metals formed into the blade give the steel its distinctive appearance. This is called pamor or pamir and is similar in concept to Damascus and Japanese steel. Blades are acid etched after forging to bring out the brilliance and darkness of the metals used. Iron ore sources are rare in some areas of the Malay world, especially in areas of Java. Empus are very resourceful in finding blade materials and have used everything from meteorite iron (rare and highly prized in blades) to scrap from fallen World War II aircraft. Kris blades can be straight or sinuous. With sinuous blades, the bends are called luks. Most krises have fewer than 13 luks and there will always be an odd number.
A kris and its sheath
have many parts. The names for these parts vary by region, but for the
most part, these are the standard terms: ukiran handle/hilt; patra
handle carvings (especially on Javan ukiran); selut metallic cap on the
ukiran (not on all krises); mendak metal cup on the tang between the
ukiran and the blade guard; wilah blade; pocok blade point; peksi tang;
ganja guard/parrying structure; wrangka the wide, top portion of the
sheath; gandar the narrow portion of the sheath; pendok a metal sleeve
for the gandar; buntut- end of the pendok.
The ukiran and the
sheath are often made from wood, though examples from ivory, even gold,
abound. Different regions in Southeast Asian produce different styles of
wilah, ukiran and sheaths. One beautiful material used for some ukiran
and wrangka was fossilized elephant teeth. A tooth would be cut to
transect the enamel folds and polished. The result was a stunning work
of art.
Origins
Frey (2003) concludes from Raffles (1817) study of the Candi Sukuh (Candi is pronounced chundi in Malay) that the kris recognized today came into existence around AD 1361. Scholars, collectors and others have formed myriad theories about the origins of the kris. Some believe the form that is credited with being the earliest form of the kris, the keris majapahit, was inspired by the daggers of the Dong-Son in Vietnam (circa 300 BC). Frey (2003) dismisses the Dong-Son origin of the majapahit. Unverifiable claims of another form predating the majapahit exist. Kris history is traced through study of carvings and bas relief panels found in Southeast Asia. One of the more famous renderings of a kris appears on the Borobudur temple and Prambanan temple.
Frey (2003) concludes from Raffles (1817) study of the Candi Sukuh (Candi is pronounced chundi in Malay) that the kris recognized today came into existence around AD 1361. Scholars, collectors and others have formed myriad theories about the origins of the kris. Some believe the form that is credited with being the earliest form of the kris, the keris majapahit, was inspired by the daggers of the Dong-Son in Vietnam (circa 300 BC). Frey (2003) dismisses the Dong-Son origin of the majapahit. Unverifiable claims of another form predating the majapahit exist. Kris history is traced through study of carvings and bas relief panels found in Southeast Asia. One of the more famous renderings of a kris appears on the Borobudur temple and Prambanan temple.
Use
Functionally, the kris is not a slashing weapon like a bowie knife or other fighting knife, but rather a stabbing instrument. The kris was mostly out-matched against anything other than another kris. If a kris fighter had stealth on his side, the kris was lethal. There are many stories of a kris being made especially for killing a specific person.
Functionally, the kris is not a slashing weapon like a bowie knife or other fighting knife, but rather a stabbing instrument. The kris was mostly out-matched against anything other than another kris. If a kris fighter had stealth on his side, the kris was lethal. There are many stories of a kris being made especially for killing a specific person.
One of the most famous
folk stories from Java describes a legendary kris bladesmith, called Mpu
Gandring, and his impatient customer, Ken Arok. Ken Arok wanted to
order a powerful Kris to kill the chieftain of Tumapel, Tunggul Ametung.
Ken Arok eventually stabbed the old bladesmith to death because he kept
delaying the scheduled completion of the kris, which Ken Arok had
probably ordered several months before. Dying, the bladesmith prophesied
that the unfinished or incomplete kris would kill seven men, including
Ken Arok. The prophecy finally came true, and the unfinished kris of Mpu
Gandring disappeared.
Krises were worn
everyday and at special ceremonies, with heirloom blades being handed
down through successive generations. Yearly cleanings, required for as
part of the spirituality and mythology around the weapon, often leaves
ancient blades worn and thin. In everyday life and at events, a man
usually only wore one kris. Women sometimes also wore krises, though of a
smaller size than a man. In battle, a man would wear three krises: one
of his own, one from his father-in-law and one a family heirloom. The
other krises served as parrying daggers. If the warrior didn't have
another kris to parry with, he used the sheath. Krises were often broken
in battle and required repairs. A warrior's location determined what
repair materials he had. It isn't unusual to find a kris with fittings
from several areas. For example, a kris may have a blade from Java, a
handle from Bali and a sheath from Madura.
In many parts of
Malaysia and Indonesia, the kris was the weapon for execution. The
specialized kris, called an executioner's kris, had a long, straight,
slender blade. The condemned knelt before the executioner, who placed a
wad of cotton or similar material of the subject's shoulder/clavicle
area. The kris blade was inserted through the material and entered the
body behind the clavicle. The blade pierced the sub clavian artery and
the heart. Upon withdrawal, the cotton wiped the blade clean. Death was
fairly quick.
Spiritual power
Discussing the essence of the kris is a complicated topic. For the most part, blades were consider to almost be alive in some cases, or at the very least holders of special powers. Krises 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 taken away. It is important to note that 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.
Some krises helped prevent fires, death, agricultural failure and myriad other problems. Likewise, they could do more than prevent problems; some krises brought on fortuitous harvests and other events. Krises could also have tremendous killing power. There are legends of krises moving around on their own and killing individuals they disliked. When making a blade, the empu could infuse into the blade any special spiritual qualities and powers the owner desires.
Because some krises 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 krises, the fighters will perform a ritual which includes touching the point of the blade to the ground to neutralize this effect.
Discussing the essence of the kris is a complicated topic. For the most part, blades were consider to almost be alive in some cases, or at the very least holders of special powers. Krises 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 taken away. It is important to note that 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.
Some krises helped prevent fires, death, agricultural failure and myriad other problems. Likewise, they could do more than prevent problems; some krises brought on fortuitous harvests and other events. Krises could also have tremendous killing power. There are legends of krises moving around on their own and killing individuals they disliked. When making a blade, the empu could infuse into the blade any special spiritual qualities and powers the owner desires.
Because some krises 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 krises, the fighters will perform a ritual which includes touching the point of the blade to the ground to neutralize this effect.
Source:
http://www.goldenpearls.biz/keris-article.htm
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