The Purpose of Keris Panjang

PenangsangII · 21st June 2007, 01:27 AM

Hello all,

I agree with Kai that despite the panjang's use as a status wear and excecution implement, it's still battle worthy.

According to Malay blade culture, weapons especially keris including the panjang, are not to be clashed with another weapon. That being said, the panjang is used as a weapon by employing silat principle (which I believe is very hard to be demonstrated here in the forum) whereby the keris wielders normally fight in circular motions. I think the best analogy is if we can think of western boxing - feint, duck, jab etc without having to block opponent's strikes.

The use of pasikutan sized blade is slightly different although the principle is the same. A Malay warrior normally will stand side way (sendeng), and will use the sarung to parry another blade (only when necessary) and will strike with the keris with another hand without having to surge forward with the right leg - again, think western boxing.

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21st June 2007, 01:27 AM	#9
PenangsangII Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 401	Hello all, I agree with Kai that despite the panjang's use as a status wear and excecution implement, it's still battle worthy. According to Malay blade culture, weapons especially keris including the panjang, are not to be clashed with another weapon. That being said, the panjang is used as a weapon by employing silat principle (which I believe is very hard to be demonstrated here in the forum) whereby the keris wielders normally fight in circular motions. I think the best analogy is if we can think of western boxing - feint, duck, jab etc without having to block opponent's strikes. The use of pasikutan sized blade is slightly different although the principle is the same. A Malay warrior normally will stand side way (sendeng), and will use the sarung to parry another blade (only when necessary) and will strike with the keris with another hand without having to surge forward with the right leg - again, think western boxing.