A Tourist (?) Tumbuk Lada for Comment
 

I recently acquired this small tumbuk lada (at least this is what I believe it is). I am far from an expert on Indonesian weapons, and I would appreciate any comments. The seller claimed it was from Sumatra, which makes sense. The length of the whole dagger is approximately 30 cm, and the blade 17cm. The hillt and the scabbard fittings are made of horn. The blade is quite simple, no pamor. It appears to be of recent manufacture. Thanks,
Teodor

IT IS RECENTLY MADE AND WOULD APPEAL TO TOURISTS BUT IT WOULD ALSO BE NICE ENOUGH FOR A LOCAL TO BUY. I GENERALY CONSIDER SUCH ITEMS AS ETHINOGRAPHIC IF THEY ARE STILL ABLE TO SERVE THEIR FUNCTION AS A KNIFE AND USE THE PROPER DECORATION AND TECKNIQUE IN CONSTRUCTION. THERE MAY BE A LARGER MARKET TO TOURISTS BUT LOCALS MAY ALSO BUY THEM IF THEY STILL USE THEM FOR WORK, PROTECTION, DRESS, OR CEREMONY.

Tumbuk Lada
 

Hi Teodor,

What you have looks a bit new but my personal opinion is it's a relatively well made piece compared to the tourist tumbuk lada to be had here. Generally, some of the less well made ones have sheaths and handles from buffalo bone, a few from horn with rudimentary carvings. The blades are generally made with false pamor and arabic writing on it from modern materials such as
This blade somehow looks nicer and better made. :)

Raja Muda and Vandoo, thanks for your comments.

Technically this should not be referred to as a tumbok lada. Tumbok lada refers to a related type of weapon from Northern Sumatra with an oversized hilt (ref. van Zonneveld, p. 149) and slightly broader blade.

A slightly more appropriate term would be sewar, although even this would be technically incorrect as the proper sewar blade has a downward curve. Being a contemporary piece though such inconsistencies are to be expected though. ;)

The previous owner maintained that the dagger originated from the Batak Toba near Lake Toba in North Sumatra. He, of course, may be wrong, and then, as you point out very well, modern renditions of traditional weapons may be somewhat different from the originals, and therefore hard to classify exactly.

Saw one in Medan almost identical this weekend. So we know they come from up north, and we know they're still being made today.