Here is additional info on this kind of sword among the Dusun from an article by Evans, published in 1912:
"Once, nevertheless, at Tuaran I was witness of a small portion of a head-hunting ceremony. Seven or eight men were walking in single file near a village and were keeping up a continual war cry, which had a peculiar whistling sound. Each man was wearing a ceremonial sword with a very long scabbard that was profusely decorated with human hair. This sword is called "Tenumpassuan," it consists of a straight blade about 2 1/2 feet long and a brass grip with guards; when combined with a short sheath it is usually known as "pedang." The scabbard of the tenumpassuan is about 4 feet long and broadens out to a width of 6 inches at its further end, The outer face is covered with rude carving."
Michael
And some additional reference pictures of the pedang. The drawing seems to be the same guy as the picture above that Maurice posted.
|