Bugis Chieftain's Keris: does it exist?

[Battara]

I have heard of a Bugis Chieftain's keris and that the scabbard is fat with a wide wranga with possibly some silver, ivory, or little gold, but short and stocky never the less.

However, one knowledgable source informs me that such a creature does not exist. What do you folks think? If it does exist, what would it look like? And finally if they do exist for sure, are they truly rare?

[Alam Shah]

A very good question. I believe they do exist. However, it is not from Sulawesi, but rather a Bugis evolution elsewhere.. :)

Battara: can you pm me your source, please. ;)

[BigG]

A very good question. I believe they do exist. However, it is not from Sulawesi, but rather a Bugis evolution elsewhere.. :)

Alam is right.. Having been shown egs of these and speaking to him and others on these I too share the opinion that it does exist... however, what we have to be clear about is the fact that a Bugis Chieftain pc is not necessarily one that originates from their Sulawesi homeland. There may not be anything there that resembles this at all. I have yet to see on from Sulawesi...

But the Buginese were noted seatarers and political medllers extraordinaire in south east asia.. The history of south east asia in the Malay peninsula, Riau Islands & southern Sumatra are rplete of their influence and intervention, often militarily in support of succession disputes of the various royal haouses there. As a result, variation of the Bugus theme exist... The Bugis Riau, Bugis Palambang & Bugis Trengganu forms are all distinctive...

The Bugis Chieftain form is likely to have been the product of areas within south east asia that lies within these specific geographical expanse.. ie Riau Islands, Southern Sumatra or the Malay peninsula... a mix of Bugis root forms and the extrapolations of the indigenous Malays of these areas on that basic form...

[Battara]

A very good question. I believe they do exist. However, it is not from Sulawesi, but rather a Bugis evolution elsewhere.. :)

Battara: can you pm me your source, please. ;)
Alam Shah - I have seen your datu Bugis keris and tend to agree with you but have not seen evidence in literature as of yet. My roon is a mess right now so it may be a while before I can find the source.

BigG, yes you have a point as well. Not necessarily thinking of a particular place since the Bugis were nomads and are all over.

However I was wondering what constitutes a datu Bugis keris for sure.

[Amuk Murugul]

Hullo everybody,:)
I have heard of a Bugis Chieftain's keris and that the scabbard is fat with a wide wranga with possibly some silver, ivory, or little gold, but short and stocky never the less.

However, one knowledgable source informs me that such a creature does not exist. What do you folks think? If it does exist, what would it look like? And finally if they do exist for sure, are they truly rare?

May I suggest that a good short-cut would be to find someone with 'KARAENG' or 'DAENG' in their name as they may be a good primary source.

Best,

[Alam Shah]

Hullo everybody,:)

May I suggest that a good short-cut would be to find someone with 'KARAENG' or 'DAENG' in their name as they may be a good primary source.
Have done that.. even with 'puang', 'andi', dr, etc.. although not exhaustive.. all the way to the royal house of Bone and Makassar, with links to NTB, Soppeng, Bima (NTB).. etc. ;) If fact, awaiting inputs from some.. :)

[BigG]

Have done that.. all the way to the royal house of Bone and Makassar... If fact, awaiting inputs...

KEWL! :D

...but the caveat here again is that this may be a localise evolution of the basic Bugis form, influence perhaps by the context of the then existing socio circumstances that differs form the Sulawesi homeground and areas outside of the Malay Peninsula, Johor Riau Islands and southern Sumatra. So, the absence of verification from these personages from these other areas may not necessarily indicate the absence of the Chieftain form itself...

[Alam Shah]

...but the caveat here again is that this may be a localise evolution of the basic Bugis form, influence perhaps by the context of the then existing socio circumstances that differs form the Sulawesi homeground and areas outside of the Malay Peninsula, Johor Riau Islands and southern Sumatra. So, the absence of verification from these personages from these other areas may not necessarily indicate the absence of the Chieftain form itself...True, information feedback from Southern Sulawesi, (Bone, Bugis-Makassar) and NTB regions indicated that such an exclusive form per se, does not seem to exist in the current culture there. Not seen in royal regalia, local or national museum collection, local collectors (not exhaustive). Referring to archives (not exhaustive) including Bugis literature from various sources, have not been fruitful so far. Hence, moving away from Sulawesi, NTB, and that region. Focusing more on Borneo, Sumatra, Riau-Lingga Archipelago, instead.. as a point of origin or evolution.

[BigG]

... My roon is a mess right now so it may be a while before I can find the source...

...However I was wondering what constitutes a datu Bugis keris for sure.

We shall await for more inputs from you on this with bated breadth then.. ;)

[BigG]

Not necessarily thinking of a particular place since the Bugis were nomads and are all over.


An interesting point to note. In my discussion with friends with Buginese backgrounds in I'sia, M'sia & S'pore, I have been made aware of a particular Buginese philosophy that accounts for their well known "meddling". If it is not already known here... allow me to share.

The Bugis of the past revered the application of 3 "senjatas" or "weapons". This consist of the Tongue, the Penis & the Keris. ie what is meant here is that wherever the Bugis man finds himself to be, he should apply the use of persuasion and influence, symbolised by the tongue, the sealing of familial ties, symbolised by the penis and the application judicial and non gratuitous force of arms, the Keris, to insinuate himself in and amongst the indigenous culture that he finds himself in. This is admitedly anecdotal as I have not got around to actually making any research on written references. But its still quite an interesting recurring theme amongst descendants of the Buginese today I gather...

Thus the Bugis influence in the region through his political, military and other socio-cultural actions are seen to this day in much of the Nusantara region. As an example of this, many a royalty of the Malay peninsula has prominent Bugis lineage amongst them. This of couse translates in the prominence of the Bugis form in Keris making in the region too.

FYI. Rgds

[Sajen]

Hello,

I am very unsure if you speak about a keris like the one I obtain two or three years ago. When I get it the colour have been more dark and I thought the metal is some kind of brass until I cleaned the sheat with a tooth brush and a mild soap. It's gilded silver!

Detlef

[Battara]

Nice piece Sajen. One site has a similar Bugis piece with ivory hilt and gold in a similar style. They called it a Bugis sultan's keris.

Back to the Bugis chieftain's keris, would this be an example? It is sold from Freebooter's site: http://www.swordsantiqueweapons.com/s125_full.html
(someone beat me to it :( )

[PenangsangII]

Battara, your example from Freebooter's for sale keris indeed looks like a chieftain to me, especially the gandar and buntut parts, but the sampir doesnt have the feel of a chieftain....

having read the characteristics of a chieftain's dress, may I ask what exactly constitute a keris blade / physical characteristics to be qualified as chieftain keris?

[khalifah muda]

Another fine example with Riau influence for discussion:

[BluErf]

Battara, your example from Freebooter's for sale keris indeed looks like a chieftain to me, especially the gandar and buntut parts, but the sampir doesnt have the feel of a chieftain....

having read the characteristics of a chieftain's dress, may I ask what exactly constitute a keris blade / physical characteristics to be qualified as chieftain keris?

I believe the term chieftain keris is a term loosely coined by collectors to describe kerises belonging to people of some status. Not very high ranking, but maybe a village headman or local military captain or the likes. And essentially, status in some cases was expressed through the size of the sheath, which then made the batang look proportionately short. The width of the batang also became wider, and this sort of keris seemed to fall under the loose term "chieftain keris". I don't think the original owners of such kerises called it by this term.

[BigG]

I believe the term chieftain keris is a term loosely coined by collectors to describe kerises belonging to people of some status. Not very high ranking, but maybe a village headman or local military captain or the likes. And essentially, status in some cases was expressed through the size of the sheath, which then made the batang look proportionately short. The width of the batang also became wider, and this sort of keris seemed to fall under the loose term "chieftain keris". I don't think the original owners of such kerises called it by this term.

Yep... ths is a plausible way of looking at it... a good angle with which to eplore the subject further

[Battara]

BluErf, this was the definition I had come to understand as a chieftain's keris. And thus wanted to know if there was any merit to it.

Khalifah Muda, a good example of what I am talking about. I noticed that the buntut on this one is made of ivory matching the hilt.

[Battara]

Another thought. Would it also be considered a chieftain's keris if it has some gold on it, say top and bottom like in the example I showed.

[Battara]

No answers to my question?

[PenangsangII]

Another thought. Would it also be considered a chieftain's keris if it has some gold on it, say top and bottom like in the example I showed.

Up to 20th Century, any gold works on keris was strictly forbidden as it was reserved for the royalty.

[David]

Up to 20th Century, any gold works on keris was strictly forbidden as it was reserved for the royalty.
Was this true everywhere in the keris world, or just specific kingdoms?

[PenangsangII]

Was this true everywhere in the keris world, or just specific kingdoms?

True in Malay based kingdom, esp. within former Malaka realm

[Alam Shah]

I believe the term chieftain keris is a term loosely coined by collectors to describe kerises belonging to people of some status. Not very high ranking, but maybe a village headman or local military captain or the likes. And essentially, status in some cases was expressed through the size of the sheath, which then made the batang look proportionately short. The width of the batang also became wider, and this sort of keris seemed to fall under the loose term "chieftain keris". I don't think the original owners of such kerises called it by this term.However, let's have a look at some of the characteristics of this type of pieces.. ref: Edward Frey's, The Kris (3rd Ed), pg 64 and 67, Fig 24.. picture b and c. It is stated that these are Sulawesi-Bugis Keris. However, a few years back when checking with Sulawesi-based friends, collectors and dealers, these types are not found there. Personal findings indicated that these types are found in the Riau-Lingga archipelago. Some examples can be found in the collection of Malaysian museums and also at Asians Civilisations Museums in Singapore.

[A. G. Maisey]

Regrettably a lot of the info in Frey is very, very unreliable. When his first edition was published I wrote him a 14 page, hand written letter listing the things that were straight out wrong, ie , where he had misquoted a source, and things that he probably should look at again and perhaps come to a different conclusion. Additionally some photo captions were wrong. Some of these things were corrected in the second edition, some were not.

Frey's book is a nice little starter book for a new collector, its got a lot of nice pics, the broad span of text is OK for low level, general information, but don't rely on it for specifics.

[PenangsangII]

However, let's have a look at some of the characteristics of this type of pieces.. ref: Edward Frey's, The Kris (3rd Ed), pg 64 and 67, Fig 24.. picture b and c. It is stated that these are Sulawesi-Bugis Keris. However, a few years back when checking with Sulawesi-based friends, collectors and dealers, these types are not found there. Personal findings indicated that these types are found in the Riau-Lingga archipelago. Some examples can be found in the collection of Malaysian museums and also at Asians Civilisations Museums in Singapore.

Yes, for years collectors were under the impression that what was generally termed "Bugis keris" came from Sulawesi. The fact that even Buginese royalty in SulSel do not have in their possession that many keris of resembling to the book you mentioned struck me by surprise. We knew later that "sudanga", "alamang" and badik were more prominent within Bugis in SulSel realm, except recently (20th C?) where more keris were produced by the local pande. All along the antique keris in our possession have been peninsular or sumatran made, some even Cirebon made.

[Battara]

Although I don't think this piece is Bugis, would it still qualify as a chieftain's keris, once posted by BluErf? (or would it also be considered Bugis after all?)

[Battara]

Also Oriental-arms calls these Bugis keris chieftain's:

www.oriental-arms.com/photos.php?id=1306

www.oriental-arms.com/photos.php?id=2469

Any truth to this attribution?

[Battara]

I think it was Adni from Malay Gallery that said alluded to the width and size of the wrangka is what designates a chieftain's keris. What do you folks think (since I am not sure)?

[Alam Shah]

Although I don't think this piece is Bugis, would it still qualify as a chieftain's keris, once posted by BluErf? (or would it also be considered Bugis after all?)As far as I could recall, that was a piece from a Malaysian museum, posted by Rasdan. It is attributed to Bugis, but imho, not from Sulawesi. It's origin is probably from Peninsular Malay, Sumatran or Riau-Lingga, based on the 'prada mas', painted sheath. It somewhat qualify as a Chieftain Keris..

[Alam Shah]

Also Oriental-arms calls these Bugis keris chieftain's:

www.oriental-arms.com/photos.php?id=1306

www.oriental-arms.com/photos.php?id=2469

Any truth to this attribution?Sheath form, looks like a Bugis Chieftain, but blade does not qualify as one. The second piece, I'm very familiar. It's in my possesion.. The blade although looks thick, the entire ensemble is small. (( see here for more details )) (http://alamshah.fotopic.net/c1230877.html).

[Battara]

Thank you. Helpful. But what then makes for a chieftain's blade?

[khalifah muda]

Thank you. Helpful. But what then makes for a chieftain's blade?

To my experience, it should be a thick, stoud, a medium length, slender and very close luks.

[Battara]

Very helpful, thank you. Is it possible to not have luks at all but be a straight blade?

[khalifah muda]

Very helpful, thank you. Is it possible to not have luks at all but be a straight blade?

It is possible but not seen so far. Luks represent certain status for individuals. For 'Chieftain', which means 'Penghulu' in Bahasa, is a man of status, sure there's luk. :)

[Battara]

Thank you for answering my question. Again, there is little information in the books about this subject.

[Moshah]

If penghulu keris must have luks, should it be of any numbers or a specific number of luks to be had there?

[khalifah muda]

If penghulu keris must have luks, should it be of any numbers or a specific number of luks to be had there?

Seen before, 5, 7 & 9.

[Moshah]

Yeah I've seen few with differ luk numbers, but I also heard that the real one should be of 7 luks, nothing more or less than that.

I can only speculate, but if the cheiftain keris do exist, there should be more specific standardization of the blade as much as the dress itself. Even though it is not a royal keris, but still it should be addressing some kind of status, hence the differences as compared to normal kerises, wouldn't they?

[khalifah muda]

Another example in my possesion.

[A. G. Maisey]

and I have its brother

[henri]

My last buy of what some call " chieftain keris " . Some restoration made to this keris bought in very poor condition ( silver features ) and tried to clean and rejuvenate the faded goldish flowers painted on the scabbard . Blade is 99 % original to scabbard .

[Jean]

Another example in my possesion.

Very nice piece, congratuations! What is the hilt materials? (looks like marine ivory but which type?).
Would this blade qualify for a Chieftain kris? It is 33.5 cm long and housed in a standard Bugis sheath from Sulawesi (the tip was damaged and replaced).
Regards

[Jean]

My last buy of what some call " chieftain keris " . Some restoration made to this keris bought in very poor condition ( silver features ) and tried to clean and rejuvenate the faded goldish flowers painted on the scabbard . Blade is 99 % original to scabbard .

Hello Henri,
Excellent piece also with original sheath and very nice hilt but this Bugis blade seems of standard proportions as compared to the criterias defined by Khalifah Muda? (thick, stout, slender and very close luks).
Regards

[David]

A lot of nice examples going up, but frankly i'm not convinced that we are any closer to answering José's initial question. Certainly a form of dress exists which collectors at least have seen fit to tag as "chieftain" keris. I have seen a couple of posts that begin "i have heard" or some other unsubstantiated claim, but nothing that nails down that a keris of a certain width with 7 luks in one of these fat, wide sheaths is definitely a "chieftain" keris and not simply that of a wealthy merchant or man of means. :shrug:

[Jean]

A lot of nice examples going up, but frankly i'm not convinced that we are any closer to answering José's initial question. Certainly a form of dress exists which collectors at least have seen fit to tag as "chieftain" keris. I have seen a couple of posts that begin "i have heard" or some other unsubstantiated claim, but nothing that nails down that a keris of a certain width with 7 luks in one of these fat, wide sheaths is definitely a "chieftain" keris and not simply that of a wealthy merchant or man of means. :shrug:

Hello David,
At least there are 2 partial and reasonably accurate replies to Jose's question:
1. These "chieftain" krisses exist and a representative specimen is shown in post # 26.
2. I concur with Alam Shah and others that these krisses are not indigenous to Sulawesi/ Sumbawa but probably from the Peninsula (but which area?) and possibly the Riau islands. From memory I never saw any specimen in Indonesia even in the museums, and they are not mentioned in the recent book about Bugis Sulawesi weapons.
Regarding the blades features and by whom were they worn, I don't know.
Regards

[David]

Well Jean, of course they exist, we have all seen these examples before. Their existence is not what is actually in question here. But just because we assign them to the ownership of "chieftains" doesn't make it so. What i would like to see is photographic evidence of acknowledged chieftains with these keris in their possession or perhaps images of obviously non-chieftain types (perhaps just well off merchants or people of other status) with them. Who first began calling these "chieftain" keris and when? If indeed this type of ensemble was held by certain Bugis chieftains in a particular part of the Indonesian archipelago, were they the only ones permitted to wear such dress or could anyone who could afford such an ensemble own one?
Your second reply was not part of José's initial question, but certainly it brings us a little closer to the origin of these keris if by nothing else the process of elimination.

[Battara]

Here, here, David, here, here! :D