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Old 5th August 2007, 11:17 AM   #27
ganjawulung
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Default Vanna and Mario Ghiringhelli

Compared to the 17th edition of "Keris and Other Malay Weapons" (1998), the Italian Vanna and Mario Ghiringhelli (1991) wrote a more objective opinion in their first book on keris, "Kris Gli Invincibili" (The Invincible Krises). Look at page 127, under title of "A centuries-old tradition". Here is the citation from this book:

A centuries-old tradition
There is much debate as to the provenance of the kris, but without doubt the most feasible theory is that it originated in the Indonesian archipelago, more precisely in the island of Java. This view is base on the most reliable traditions, historic and documentary evidence, and on examples still existing today.

However it is very hard to ascertain the period which the kris appeared. A reasonably satisfactory theory asserts that the weapon appeared in the late 10th century during the cultural rennaissance of eastern Java following the fall of the central kingdoms. Other hypotheses date it around 1200 (reign of Pajajaran). However it is certain that at the start of the reign of Majapahit (1294-1499), the shape of the kris was so highly developed that preceding stages of evolution have to be inferred.

The mysterious group of krises named "kris majapahit" (keris sajen -- page 74) have little in common with the kris as generally understood. The blade and handle are forged in one piece, and the handle consists of a small anthropoid figure with knees bent or in squatting position, or a simple torso and head (ancestor?). These krises were not used as weapons: of small size, they formed an amulet for the protection of crops or for good fortune brought by the powerful magic.
They were included in offerings to gods and ancestors, and they were used especially in the ceremony invoking the gods' protection of farmers and land against ilness, plant diseases and accidents...

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