Milandro, you are showing two completely different kinds of wrapping that serve very different practical or cultural purposes.
The top photo is an example of a type of wrapping that i can only assume is used to protect the sheath stem from wear. I have a couple of examples of this kind of thing in my own collection, both on Bugis style keris. Often this type of binding occurs on gandar that are made in two pieces so it seems it likely serves the function of holding the two halves together.
The second wrapping you show is known as Passio Sumange or Toli Toli. There does seem to be more to this wrap than simple practical purpose, though it may have begun as that. But there is some debate as to the real or original purpose for this. Often this simple string wrap is replaced by fancier loops made of precious metals and studded with gemstones.
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ght=loop+keris
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ght=loop+keris