Description Of Keris (Dagger)

Note Picture:

1. Pendok

2. Warangka/Sheath

3. Deder/Handle/Hilt

4. Mendak

5. Pamor

6. Luk

7. Dhapur

Description

A kris' aesthetic value covers the dhapur (the form and design of the blade, with around 150 variants), the pamor (the pattern of metal alloy decoration on the blade, with around 60 variants), and tangguh referring to the age and origin of a kris.^[3]

Blade

Kris blade is called wilah or bilah. Kris blades are usually narrow with a wide, asymmetrical base. Kris is famous for its wavy blades (luk), however the older types of kris dated from Majapahit era are straight blades ones.^[3] The numbers of luks is always odd numbered,^[1] the common numbers of luks ranged from three to thirteen waves, however there is also luks that reach 29.^[2] Today the wavy blade kris is more commonly found than the straight ones. The exact purpose of wavy blade is unknown. It was suggested that wavy blade is symbolize both fire and water, the two elements present during the forging of metal blade. In Bali kris is associated with Nāga (dragon serpent) which also symbolyze irrigation canals, rivers, springs, wells, spouts, waterfalls and rainbows, thus the wavy blade symbolyze the movement of the serpent. Some keris have a naga or serpent head carved near its base with the body and tail following the curves of the blade to the tip. A wavy kris is a naga in motion, aggressive and alive; a straight blade is one at rest, its power dormant but ready to come into action.^[5]

Another theory suggested that the wavy blade design was meant to inflict severe wound upon victim. During keris stabbing, the wavy blades severes more blood vessels, creating wider wound which caused the victim to easily bleed to death. However in older Javanese tradition it is also common to apply various types of poisons upon keris blade, which can inflict more potent mortality upon battle.

Different types of whetstones, acidic juice of citrus fruits and poisonous arsenic bring out the contrast between the dark black iron and the light colored silvery nickel layers which together form pamor, damascene patterns on the blade. The distinctive pamor patterns has specific meanings and names which indicate their special magical property.

 

Hilt

Kris handle or hilt (hulu keris) is the object of art, often carved in meticulous details and made from various materials; precious rare types of wood to gold or ivory. In Bali kris handle is carved in demon-like creature coated in gold and adorned with semi precious and precious stones, such as rubies. In Java kris handle is made in various type, the most common design is the abstract stylized representation of human. The example of kris hilt styles such as Tunggak Semi Putri Kinurung hilt from Surakarta, Hulu keris Batara Guru and Pulasir from Madura, hulu keris Punukan from Palembang, Ratmaja from Bali, hulu keris Pulungan from Cirebon, and seabird-like hilt from Lampung and Sulawesi.^[6]

The kris usually has a curved pistol-grip hilt that aids in stabbing strikes. It allows the palm of the holding hand to add pressure to the blade while stabbing. A kris only offers minimal protection for the hand by the broad blade at the hilt. In rare cases, the blade may be forged so its axis lies at an angle to the hilt's axis. The intention is to get the blade automatically turning to slip past the ribs but this works poorly and makes the weapon less durable.^{[citation needed]}

 

Sheath

Just like kris hilt, its sheath (warangka) is also the object of art. It can be made from various materials, usually wooden frame to hold the blade which can be coated with metals; such as brass, iron, silver, or even gold, usually carved in sulur floral motifs. The upper part of sheath formed a broad curved handle made from wood or sometimes ivory. It could be adorned with precious or semi-precious stones.

Source :

1. Darmosoegito, Ki. 1992. Bab Dhuwung. Djojobojo. Surabaya. Hal. 16.

2. Indonesia - Information related to Intangible Cultural Heritage. Laman UNESCO.

3. a b Origin of The Keris. II. Chinese Influence. Laman Old Blades. Malay World Edges Weapons.

4. Lumintu. 1985. Besi, Baja, dan Pamor Keris. Pusat Keris Jakarta. Jakarta. Hal. 3.

5. Moebirman. 1980.a,Keris Senjata Pusaka. Yayasan Sapta Karya. Jakarta.

6. lihat misalnya pada versi bahasa Inggris dari terbitan 1944 oleh Armando Cortesao (Cortesao A.

    2005. Suma Oriental of Tome Pires and The Book of Francisco Rodriguez. Asian Publishing House

    New, Delhi, Hal 179
7. http://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keris