Aceh sword hilts
 

In talking with someone in Indonesia I have heard a new term used for the sword hilts. I am trying to find more information on them if anyone can help

This sword as we have discussed has a hilt called a hulu tumpang beunteung


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v9.../DSCF0641a.jpg

I also thought the hilt below was a hulu tumpang beunteung but I have in a correspondance about having a contemporary sword like this made the hilt in it was called hulu buaya.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v9...h/image004.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v9...h/image006.jpg



Is anyone familiar with the term hulu buaya ? I know that there is sometimes a difference in Indonesian naming and Aceh naming ( e.g. Hulu Meu Apet vs gagang duan tebu or hulu tumpang beunteung vs tumpang jingki)


As a side note I have been told that in Malasia Buaya means crocodile. ( from the malasian proberb Jangan disangka air yang tenang tiada buaya.
Literal translation: Do not think that placid water is without crocodiles. ) This type of hilt has been translated as hilt like the mouth of a crocodile before
Any help would be appreciated

As I understand it from looking in van Zonneveld he describes the lower hilt as a Hulu Peusangan?
The difference is because of the flattened protrusions.
Unfortunately I don't have Kreemer 1922 or Volz 1912 as he quotes from.
Peusangan is a district, as well as a river, in North of Aceh.
So Hulu Peusangan is just a hilt from Peusangan.

The hilt looks like a crocodile so Hulu Buaya seems to be a probable, and fitting, alternative name for this hilt.

Michael

Michael
Thanks for the reply. I could be mistaken but it was my belief that the straight sword like at the top was a panjang and the longer curved sword was a peusangan. So I think that term describes the blade not the hilt. I did get this backin and e-mail from from Indonesia today. This is from someone dealing with contemporary smiths there and it does clear up some of my confusion though I still welcome any and all additional information I hope to update the page on these over the holidays
John

John,

I agree with your sword definition. But there is also a hilt called Peusangan.
Panjang is long and Peusangan is, as I understand it, a regional name?
All of the Sikin Peusangan found in van Zonneveld happens to also have the Hulu Peusangan.

Michael

Thanks I'll have to look into the hilt named for this. Your comments did get me to find that Peusangan is in the district of Bireuen on east coast of Aceh

Yes,

I just noticed that my answer was a bit confusing.
Instead of regional name I meant the name of a region.
Sometimes it's hard to switch between different languages all the time when communicating...

Michael

Here are some pics off different handle s some with gold and inlay

Ben

Some excellent examples thank you for posting them