Javanese machete??

kronckew · 7th March 2011, 05:45 PM

the excalibur legend is so old, i suspect that it was actually based on a bronze sword, cast in a stone mold, hence the pulling of the sword from the stone. the legends just got converted to steel to fit the local technology as the ages pass. similarly the arthurian knights are generally shown in full plate armour in the medieval period tales, which was not an option at the post roman period arthur was supposed to inhabit....

throwing a sword into a lake, also part of the excalibur mythos, was a very bronze age thing to do. you were not judged on how many posessions you had, but on how many you gave away. the ultimate was to take a bronze sword, a very expensive and important named sword even better, and throw it in a lake or river as an offering to the gods. sometimes the sword would be 'killed', that is bent or broken, to ensure it could never be used again.

anyhow more on topic, the kudi/kujang, which is most definitely steel, is also a magical tool, more ceremonial these days.

Henk · 9th March 2011, 07:39 AM

Tunggulametung,

Thank you for these pictures. Now it is clear for me what i have.

It has become a very interesting thread. Thanks to all for their input.

7th March 2011, 05:45 PM	#1
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	the excalibur legend is so old, i suspect that it was actually based on a bronze sword, cast in a stone mold, hence the pulling of the sword from the stone. the legends just got converted to steel to fit the local technology as the ages pass. similarly the arthurian knights are generally shown in full plate armour in the medieval period tales, which was not an option at the post roman period arthur was supposed to inhabit.... throwing a sword into a lake, also part of the excalibur mythos, was a very bronze age thing to do. you were not judged on how many posessions you had, but on how many you gave away. the ultimate was to take a bronze sword, a very expensive and important named sword even better, and throw it in a lake or river as an offering to the gods. sometimes the sword would be 'killed', that is bent or broken, to ensure it could never be used again. anyhow more on topic, the kudi/kujang, which is most definitely steel, is also a magical tool, more ceremonial these days. Attached Images

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9th March 2011, 07:39 AM	#2
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Tunggulametung, Thank you for these pictures. Now it is clear for me what i have. It has become a very interesting thread. Thanks to all for their input.