Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - like your opinion on this Palembang keris

PenangsangII · 28th October 2011, 06:24 AM

i would suspect that the term ''balu mekabun'' derives from ''balu berkabung''. It is a Malay term for ''mourning widow''. Philosophically, the hilt of a keris in the olden days is often exposed for everyone to see. Its a warning to those who dare try to create problems with the wearer of the keris hilted with this design / motif. Something like, ''widow maker'' signage for everone to see. ''if you try to be funny with me, think about your wife at home who will definitely mourn your death''. Unfortunately, i am not able to provide any reference for this.

28th October 2011, 06:24 AM	#14
PenangsangII Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 401	balu mekabun?? i would suspect that the term ''balu mekabun'' derives from ''balu berkabung''. It is a Malay term for ''mourning widow''. Philosophically, the hilt of a keris in the olden days is often exposed for everyone to see. Its a warning to those who dare try to create problems with the wearer of the keris hilted with this design / motif. Something like, ''widow maker'' signage for everone to see. ''if you try to be funny with me, think about your wife at home who will definitely mourn your death''. Unfortunately, i am not able to provide any reference for this.