Help with the Moro Kris/Kalis/Sundang

Ian · 18th December 2024, 12:05 PM

Jeff, it's interesting to note that when a Moro kris is made with a single asang asang, that single asang asang is always on the side of the "elephant trunk." This is also true for Malayan sundang. When there is evidence of twin asang asang having once been present but only one remains on the sword, the remaining one is almost always on the "elephant trunk" side. (I say almost always because I can only recall two or three that have had the remaining one on the side of the greneng.) This suggests to me that the asang asang from the greneng side is removed intentionally to convert a doubly-endowed blade to a single asang asang.

I believe double asang asang are a feature mainly of Sulu kris, while single asang asang are a feature mainly of Mindanao kris and Malayan sundang. Thus, if a Maranao or Maguindanao or Iranum wished to redress a Sulu kris according to their cultural norms, the extra asang asang on the greneng side would likely be removed. I think this is why we see quite a few kris like the one you show, with signs of a missing asang asang on the greneng side.

BTW, the elephant trunk area of the sword in post #22 above looks to be Maranao in origin.

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18th December 2024, 12:05 PM	#22
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,399	Jeff, it's interesting to note that when a Moro kris is made with a single asang asang, that single asang asang is always on the side of the "elephant trunk." This is also true for Malayan sundang. When there is evidence of twin asang asang having once been present but only one remains on the sword, the remaining one is almost always on the "elephant trunk" side. (I say almost always because I can only recall two or three that have had the remaining one on the side of the greneng.) This suggests to me that the asang asang from the greneng side is removed intentionally to convert a doubly-endowed blade to a single asang asang. I believe double asang asang are a feature mainly of Sulu kris, while single asang asang are a feature mainly of Mindanao kris and Malayan sundang. Thus, if a Maranao or Maguindanao or Iranum wished to redress a Sulu kris according to their cultural norms, the extra asang asang on the greneng side would likely be removed. I think this is why we see quite a few kris like the one you show, with signs of a missing asang asang on the greneng side. BTW, the elephant trunk area of the sword in post #22 above looks to be Maranao in origin.