Two Very Interesting and Unusual Swords From Sumatra

CharlesS · 18th May 2011, 07:20 PM

David,

The blade is just over 1.5in. wide at the hilt, and 3/16 of an inch thick hilt. The blade is, indeed, single edged -and razor sharp- until about 10 inches before the tip. There the last 10 inches of the spine are as sharp as the bottom edge, creating what I suppose we can call a false edge. I think that would allow one to argue that is was "made that way", of course that is not an absolute either.

Rick,

This blade profile on the larger one is a common one throughout the region, but especially in Sumatra. There are many variations of the tip, that is, variations as to where the downturn begins at the end of the blade. That one does have an elongated and elegant downturn, quite a bit like a kirach. Notice that both of these are very much alike in profile at first glance, but then the downturned spine is actually quite different on the two.

Please tell me more about this pamor...three people have seen it and instantly identified it as "death shroud"...would love to know more...

VVV · 18th May 2011, 07:31 PM

Fantastic!!!

I have never seen the Palembang nose parang with either floral carving or a pamor blade before. Yours is also unusual based on the blade shape which on all other parang I have seen has been more resembling a wakizashi (see pict).
Except Palembang I have also seen it attributed to Benkulen/Bengkulu so I assume it was spread in that region. Several years ago I saw it listed as a "Pelitai".
Here is a reference picture from Tropen of a Rawas-chief from Palembang.

Michael

CharlesS · 18th May 2011, 10:46 PM

Thanks VVV...knew I could count on you!

Wasn't there a thread on these before...I looked for one but could not find it.

A. G. Maisey · 19th May 2011, 12:26 AM

Charles, the "death shroud" thing is the product of misunderstanding.

This has been discussed at length in (probably) the Warung Kopi. It might have been raised in the old Forum too.

Very briefly the correct Javanese name of this "death shroud" pamor is "buntel mayat".

Buntel mayat means " a wrapping that slopes upwards". This is a perfect description of this pamor.

In Bali and Lombok where this pamor is most frequently found it named "tambangan Badung".

Badung is an administrative division of Bali, tambang is rope.

Popular misunderstanding has turned the name "buntel mayat" into "buntel mayit".

"mayit" means corpse, thus we have "corpse wrapping".

Buntel mayat pamor is a twisted pamor that has no visible core.

As far as I can judge from the photos, the pamor on your sword does have a core.

In my opinion the applicable Javanese name for this pamor is pandan iris :- sliced pandan.

Although this sword is from South Sumatera, and the pamor could well have a different name there, I feel that it may be legitimate to use the Javanese name, as there is a very long political association between South Sumatera and the Javanese courts.

CharlesS · 19th May 2011, 01:32 AM

GREAT info A.G.........THANKS so much!

18th May 2011, 07:31 PM	#2
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Fantastic!!! I have never seen the Palembang nose parang with either floral carving or a pamor blade before. Yours is also unusual based on the blade shape which on all other parang I have seen has been more resembling a wakizashi (see pict). Except Palembang I have also seen it attributed to Benkulen/Bengkulu so I assume it was spread in that region. Several years ago I saw it listed as a "Pelitai". Here is a reference picture from Tropen of a Rawas-chief from Palembang. Michael Attached Images

18th May 2011, 07:20 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	David, The blade is just over 1.5in. wide at the hilt, and 3/16 of an inch thick hilt. The blade is, indeed, single edged -and razor sharp- until about 10 inches before the tip. There the last 10 inches of the spine are as sharp as the bottom edge, creating what I suppose we can call a false edge. I think that would allow one to argue that is was "made that way", of course that is not an absolute either. Rick, This blade profile on the larger one is a common one throughout the region, but especially in Sumatra. There are many variations of the tip, that is, variations as to where the downturn begins at the end of the blade. That one does have an elongated and elegant downturn, quite a bit like a kirach. Notice that both of these are very much alike in profile at first glance, but then the downturned spine is actually quite different on the two. Please tell me more about this pamor...three people have seen it and instantly identified it as "death shroud"...would love to know more...

18th May 2011, 10:46 PM	#3
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Thanks VVV...knew I could count on you! Wasn't there a thread on these before...I looked for one but could not find it.

19th May 2011, 12:26 AM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,991	Charles, the "death shroud" thing is the product of misunderstanding. This has been discussed at length in (probably) the Warung Kopi. It might have been raised in the old Forum too. Very briefly the correct Javanese name of this "death shroud" pamor is "buntel mayat". Buntel mayat means " a wrapping that slopes upwards". This is a perfect description of this pamor. In Bali and Lombok where this pamor is most frequently found it named "tambangan Badung". Badung is an administrative division of Bali, tambang is rope. Popular misunderstanding has turned the name "buntel mayat" into "buntel mayit". "mayit" means corpse, thus we have "corpse wrapping". Buntel mayat pamor is a twisted pamor that has no visible core. As far as I can judge from the photos, the pamor on your sword does have a core. In my opinion the applicable Javanese name for this pamor is pandan iris :- sliced pandan. Although this sword is from South Sumatera, and the pamor could well have a different name there, I feel that it may be legitimate to use the Javanese name, as there is a very long political association between South Sumatera and the Javanese courts.

19th May 2011, 01:32 AM	#5
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	GREAT info A.G.........THANKS so much!