A Tourist (?) Tumbuk Lada for Comment

TVV · 21st December 2004, 05:00 PM

Raja Muda and Vandoo, thanks for your comments.

DAHenkel · 22nd December 2004, 10:31 AM

Technically this should not be referred to as a tumbok lada. Tumbok lada refers to a related type of weapon from Northern Sumatra with an oversized hilt (ref. van Zonneveld, p. 149) and slightly broader blade.

A slightly more appropriate term would be sewar, although even this would be technically incorrect as the proper sewar blade has a downward curve. Being a contemporary piece though such inconsistencies are to be expected though.

TVV · 22nd December 2004, 05:28 PM

The previous owner maintained that the dagger originated from the Batak Toba near Lake Toba in North Sumatra. He, of course, may be wrong, and then, as you point out very well, modern renditions of traditional weapons may be somewhat different from the originals, and therefore hard to classify exactly.

DAHenkel · 27th December 2004, 02:05 PM

Saw one in Medan almost identical this weekend. So we know they come from up north, and we know they're still being made today.

21st December 2004, 05:00 PM	#1
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,660	Raja Muda and Vandoo, thanks for your comments.

22nd December 2004, 10:31 AM	#2
DAHenkel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 125	Technically this should not be referred to as a tumbok lada. Tumbok lada refers to a related type of weapon from Northern Sumatra with an oversized hilt (ref. van Zonneveld, p. 149) and slightly broader blade. A slightly more appropriate term would be sewar, although even this would be technically incorrect as the proper sewar blade has a downward curve. Being a contemporary piece though such inconsistencies are to be expected though.

22nd December 2004, 05:28 PM	#3
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,660	The previous owner maintained that the dagger originated from the Batak Toba near Lake Toba in North Sumatra. He, of course, may be wrong, and then, as you point out very well, modern renditions of traditional weapons may be somewhat different from the originals, and therefore hard to classify exactly.

27th December 2004, 02:05 PM	#4
DAHenkel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 125	Saw one in Medan almost identical this weekend. So we know they come from up north, and we know they're still being made today.