Indonesian Traditional Weapons – Indonesia is known as a country with a variety of wealth. Ranging from ethnicity, culture, fauna to flora that are so diverse that can be found in Indonesia. In ancient times when our ancestors were fighting for independence.
Our ancestors and heroes wielded a wide variety of weapons. Maybe even in learning from elementary school we have also been taught a variety of traditional Indonesian weapons.
Because there are so many traditional weapons of the State of Indonesia. We also know that Indonesia is also rich in culture. So that we do not forget the history of our own nation. We can learn together about various traditional Indonesian weapons that were often used against the invaders in this article.
Indonesian Traditional Weapons
1. Keris from Java
Keris is one of the traditional weapons that used to be used by ancestors and heroes, especially those from Java when fighting invaders. Even today, the keris is still often used as a complement to traditional Javanese clothing in several traditional ceremonies such as penihan.
Apart from that, keris is also often used by some people as home displays and as props in films, especially those with ancient stories as backgrounds. For the Javanese people themselves, especially the Yogyakarta area, the keris is not only a weapon of self-defense.
However, the keris, which has a contorted shape, is also often considered an object that is so sacred and has mystical elements in it. It is not surprising that some keris heirlooms often look like they have a different aura.
2. Celurit from Madura
Next, there are celurit from the Madura region which used to be one of the traditional weapons used by ancestors and heroes when fighting invaders. The shape of the sickle itself is curved like a crescent moon.
Currently sickle weapons are still often used by the general public, especially the Madurese for several purposes. An example is being used to cut grass to feed livestock.
In addition, sickle weapons can also be used as a medium to solve a problem, both between individuals and other customary problems. Even sickles are also often used as decorative displays in the house.
3. Daggers from Papua
Furthermore, there is a dagger from the Papua region which is also one of Indonesia’s traditional weapons. This traditional weapon from the Papua region is quite unique. The reason is that this dagger in Papua is made of cassowary bone.
The bones of the cassowary are shaped to be flat and sharp. Although made of animal bones. But in terms of strength should not be underestimated. Then on the handle of the dagger there is a cassowary decoration. This could be a distinct characteristic of a dagger from the Papua region.
Currently people in the land of Papua use daggers for various purposes. Starting from hunting animals, war and also taking forest products. Apart from using daggers, the people of the Papua region also use other weapons such as bows and arrows which can be made of bamboo or wood.
4. My Salawaku machete from Maluku
For people who are outside the Maluku region, they might be a little unfamiliar with the traditional weapon of my salaw machete. However, it’s a slightly different story when you see the one thousand bill that has a picture of Kapitan Pattimura. Yes, the picture of Kapitan Pattimura on the one thousand bill is indeed holding a traditional weapon from Maluku, namely my machete salawaku.
During the colonial period, my salaw machete was used to fight invaders as well as to fight as well as a symbol of independence for the people of Maluku. On the other hand, the name parang salawaku itself consists of machete which means long knife and salwaku which means shield.
5. Mandau from Borneo
Next is the Mandau weapon from Kalimantan. Where Mandau from Kalimantan is widely known abroad. Mandau itself is more widely used by the Dayak tribe of Kalimantan.
The traditional weapon of the Mandau itself has a sword-like shape. In addition, the blade of the saber is often given a carving that looks so unique. The existence of a Mandau from Kalimantan is also often accompanied by a small knife called langgei puai.
In the past, saber weapons were often used against enemies during war. However, currently the saber weapon is more often used as typical Dayak souvenirs for foreign and domestic tourists.
6. Rencong from Aceh
Rancong is a traditional Acehnese weapon. Even though it is a traditional weapon, rancong is fairly small in size, almost like a knife. For the people of Aceh, rancong was a weapon that played such an important role against the invaders at that time.
Not only as a weapon against the invaders. The reason is that the rancong weapon has something unique in it. Rancong is a status symbol of gallantry, honor, nobility so that many believe that there is a sacred side in it.
7. Badik from Sulawesi
Furthermore, there is the traditional cleaver weapon originating from the West Java region. The shape of the cleaver weapon itself is like a curved blade that has a motive. Some people call it that the cleaver is the Sundanese machete.
In addition, because the badik has a shape that is quite unique, it is widely hunted to be used as a collection object. On the other hand, the badik is also often used as a weapon for martial arts attractions.
Although the badik looks like a rencong from Aceh. But actually the badik is a traditional weapon from the Sulawesi region. In the past, the badik was used by the Bugis, Makassar and Toraja tribes. The badik itself has a fairly small size, almost like a knife.
Because of this size, the badik is often used as a fighting weapon individually or in groups. According to the story, badik has existed since the days of the Sulawesi kingdom. Even the ancients, especially the men of the Bugis tribe, when traveling, would carry a dagger that was placed on their waist.
Because many believe that the badik weapon from Sulawesi has sacred value and is a starting point for timber. Even though the badik is no longer a tool of war. But there are still some people who believe that badik still has sacred and mystical values. It is not surprising that until now there are still those who keep badik in hidden places.
8. Kujang from West Java
Furthermore, there is the traditional cleaver weapon originating from the West Java region. The shape of the cleaver weapon itself is like a curved blade that has a motive. Some people call it that the cleaver is the Sundanese machete.
In addition, because the badik has a shape that is quite unique, it is widely hunted to be used as a collection object. On the other hand, the badik is also often used as a weapon for martial arts attractions.
9. Machete from Jakarta
Next, there is the traditional weapon from the Jakarta area, the machete. Where the machete is also a valuable treasure for the people of Jakarta. In the past, machetes were used to expel invaders. Currently, the machete is often used for Betawi silat martial arts at traditional events.
Apart from that, the machete is also synonymous with the character of Si Pitung, a champion of repelling invaders from the Betawi land. With the times, machetes are still used to help with household needs and gardening.
10. Klewang from South Sumatra
Although the klewang is a traditional weapon of South Sumatra. However, during the colonial era, the klewang was also used during the Aceh war against the invaders. Klewang has a size of about 38 to 76 cm. With this size, the klewang is very suitable for close combat.
At first glance, the traditional klewang weapon is almost similar to a machete. But both have differences in the handle.
11. Kurambiak from West Sumatra
Kurambiak is a traditional weapon from West Sumatra. Having a fairly unique shape makes kurambiak so famous in many regions and abroad. The traditional kurambiak weapon also has a shape like a tiger’s claw.
Although kurambiak from West Sumatra has a relatively small shape. However, using kurambiak requires special skills. Apart from that, Kurambiak has also been shown an Indonesian action film, The Raid.
Currently kurambiak is often used by the community for the purpose of pulling grass because it has such great sharpness.
12. Jenawi Sword from Riau
It is said that according to the story of a prince from the Sriwijaya Kingdom, he used a Jenawi sword when fighting. Yes, the Jenawi sword is a traditional weapon from Riau. The Jenawi sword itself has a straight, elongated shape and is sharply tapered at the end.
Although formerly often used for war. However, nowadays the existence of an innate sword itself seems so rare. Even collectors also often hunt for genius swords because of their rarity.
13. Career from West Sumatra
Then there is the karih or often also called the keris which is one of the traditional weapons of West Sumatra. The hallmark of the career itself is in the form of a curve that looks a little or seems to be almost straight.
The number of indentations is also wider at the same time on the upstream part it has carvings and is curved downwards. In ancient times, the people of West Sumatra used curry as a traditional weapon, especially for the nobility and royal rulers.
Currently, the existence of careers can also be found when there is a traditional Minang community wedding ceremony. The reason is that curry is still used as a complement to Minang men’s traditional clothing.
14. Arrowhead Spear from Jambi
The Kerinci area calls the traditional weapon of arrowheads a spear called kuju. Arrowhead spears are still being produced in the Sungai Sepanjang area. The arrowhead spear consists of several parts. Starting from arrowheads, nipples, ears, stalks and also iron as coatings for manau.
For the size of the stalk of the arrowhead spear weapon is about one meter. As for the head of the spear, the arrowhead has a size of 20 cm. On the stalk mostly yellow and on the head will be black. The arrowheads on this traditional Jambi weapon are made using selected iron which is fired at a certain level of heat.
On the shaft of the spear, the arrowheads will be made of bamboo or manau. In one year, the arrowheads will usually be bathed twice and covered with incense.
15. Spear or Payan from Lampung
The spear or also known as the payan is a traditional weapon from the Lampung region. When viewed from its shape, the spear is still divided into two, namely the long spear and the short spear. The long spear has a hilt with a length of more than 150 cm.
Then for short spears, they have handles with a length of no more than 90 cm, even though they have different lengths of long handles. However, for the eye of the spear, both have almost the same size, which is between 34 and 40 cm.
It doesn’t stop there, because this spear or payan from Lampung is still classified into four categories. Among them are spears as heirlooms, spears as hunting tools, spears for ceremonial tools to spears used as religious objects.
16. Chopsticks from East Kalimantan
Next, there is a traditional weapon from the East Kalimantan area called Chopsticks. Chopsticks are not only used for war. However, traditional chopsticks are also used for hunting and for traditional ceremonies such as Dayak traditional weddings.
The way to operate this traditional weapon from East Kalimantan is by blowing. According to the beliefs of the Dayak tribe, chopsticks cannot be used to kill others.
The length of the chopsticks themselves is between 1.9 to 2.1 m. Then the diameter of this traditional weapon from East Kalimantan is around 2 to 3 m. As for the diameter of the side hole itself is 1 cm. The use of the hole in the chopsticks is to insert the chopsticks.
17. Dohong from Central Kalimantan
Dohong is also a traditional weapon of the Kalimantan Dayak tribe. The shape of the traditional dohong weapon itself is almost like a keris but bigger and sharper. The upstream part of the dohong is made of horn and the scabbard itself is made of wood.
It should be noted that the dohong traditional weapon is only used by tribal chiefs, Demang and also Basir.
18. Keris Bujak Beliung from South Kalimantan
Next is a traditional weapon from the South Kalimantan area with the name keris bujak beliung. The length of the Bujak Beliung keris is about 30 cm. Meanwhile, the distinctive features of the Bujak Beliung keris are the carvings typical of South Kalimantan. Every carving on the Bujak Beliung keris will have its own philosophy.
19. Ciomas machete from Banten
From the Banten region, especially the Ciomas area, they also have a traditional weapon called the Ciomas Golok. The Ciomas machete is not only famous for its sharpness. However, this traditional weapon from Banten is also famous because it has a mystical side which is said to be in it.
In ancient times, warriors, especially from the Banten area, used the ciomas machete to expel invaders. Interestingly, the ciomas machete was only made to coincide with the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad SAW.
Apart from that, the process of making a ciomas machete must also go through several rituals and the placement of special iron. In addition, this traditional weapon from Banten is also famous for its balanced shape, sharpness and smoothness of the forging process.
20. Keris from Bali
From the area of Bali also has a traditional weapon with the name keris. Not only for self-defense. The traditional weapon of the keris is also used to represent someone when attending a wedding invitation.
Then there is also the belief of the local community that the keris can also heal venomous animal bites. The trick is to soak the traditional keris weapon in water.
The unique side of the Balinese keris lies in the carving. Because indeed the carving of the Balis keris has various forms. There are statues of gods, statues of pedanda, giants, dancers, horse heads and various other carvings. The handle of a Balinese keris is usually made of wood. But there are also Balinese keris handles which are decorated with gemstones.
21. Sundu from East Nusa Tenggara
Next, there is a traditional weapon from the East Nusa Tenggara region called sundu. The shape of the sundu itself is almost like a dagger. The people of East Nusa Tenggara consider sundu as a sacred object.
So, those are some traditional Indonesian weapons that used to be used against invaders as well as local customary events. Sinaumed’s can get related books at sinaumedia.com . As #Friends Without Limits, sinaumedia always provides the best products so you have #MoreWithReading information.