Two small Coteng - keris selit or are they older?

BluErf · 10th July 2011, 03:43 AM

I've seen small coteng kerises around, but I'm not so sure they can be classified as 'older' because of size. "Keris selit" as a term may not be applicable North of Kelantan/Terengganu, as it seems to have a Kelantanese/Terengganu origin.

Cotengs are inherently quite slim and petite, even in their full sizes, compared to the larger kerises that can be found down South. There may not be a very strong reason to downsize them further for a 'keris selit' effect.

VVV · 10th July 2011, 10:13 AM

Thanks Kai Wee!

I didn't know how local the keris selit-phenomena was as it was new to me before DA Henkel wrote about it.
Where there any other kind of blades than the flamboyant Parang Patani that were common to carry among Malays in South Thailand 100+ years ago?
Any longer straight swords?
I have a problem to understand the reasons for carrying so small kerises other than as a traditional part of your dress or for a metaphysical reason.

Michael

David · 10th July 2011, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VVV

I have a problem to understand the reasons for carrying so small kerises other than as a traditional part of your dress or for a metaphysical reason.

Would these reasons not be sufficient?

VVV · 10th July 2011, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Would these reasons not be sufficient?

Yes, you (we

) are of course correct in that.
But sometimes people want a back up weapon, not to "disturb" the invisible forces unnecessarily.
Maybe I am to much self-defense/weapon oriented about this?

Michael

BluErf · 11th July 2011, 03:27 PM

I think in the later part of the keris evolution, it is not so much a weapon as a part of the dress code.

I don't recall seeing many long swords in Kelantan, but that does not mean there isn't any. Maybe I'm just not meeting the people who collects them, but the most common bladed types I've see are keris, badik, golok, kapak (axe), parang and klewang (both curved types). Don't recall many long swords.

VVV · 11th July 2011, 09:10 PM

Thanks for your feedback.
It's strange that they didn't carry any longer weapons than the parang or curved klewang.
I wonder how they fought against the Thai with only short- and mid-range blades?

Michael

Sajen · 6th November 2011, 02:05 PM

I just bought this small coteng sheath (I think it is one?). It is only 27 cm long but the tip of the batang is broken and covered with a silver (?) cover. I have several questions about this sheath. Since the "window" in the batang seems old and patinated: is there a special purpose for such a window? Are the hilts smaller than a "normal" coteng hilt? (Here is special Michael asked) Do someone know from which wood this sheath is carved? And which sort of blade would be adequate?

Thank you in advance,

Detlef

6th November 2011, 02:05 PM	#7
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,328	I just bought this small coteng sheath (I think it is one?). It is only 27 cm long but the tip of the batang is broken and covered with a silver (?) cover. I have several questions about this sheath. Since the "window" in the batang seems old and patinated: is there a special purpose for such a window? Are the hilts smaller than a "normal" coteng hilt? (Here is special Michael asked) Do someone know from which wood this sheath is carved? And which sort of blade would be adequate? Thank you in advance, Detlef Attached Images

10th July 2011, 03:43 AM	#1
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	I've seen small coteng kerises around, but I'm not so sure they can be classified as 'older' because of size. "Keris selit" as a term may not be applicable North of Kelantan/Terengganu, as it seems to have a Kelantanese/Terengganu origin. Cotengs are inherently quite slim and petite, even in their full sizes, compared to the larger kerises that can be found down South. There may not be a very strong reason to downsize them further for a 'keris selit' effect.

10th July 2011, 10:13 AM	#2
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Thanks Kai Wee! I didn't know how local the keris selit-phenomena was as it was new to me before DA Henkel wrote about it. Where there any other kind of blades than the flamboyant Parang Patani that were common to carry among Malays in South Thailand 100+ years ago? Any longer straight swords? I have a problem to understand the reasons for carrying so small kerises other than as a traditional part of your dress or for a metaphysical reason. Michael

11th July 2011, 03:27 PM	#5
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	I think in the later part of the keris evolution, it is not so much a weapon as a part of the dress code. I don't recall seeing many long swords in Kelantan, but that does not mean there isn't any. Maybe I'm just not meeting the people who collects them, but the most common bladed types I've see are keris, badik, golok, kapak (axe), parang and klewang (both curved types). Don't recall many long swords.

11th July 2011, 09:10 PM	#6
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Thanks for your feedback. It's strange that they didn't carry any longer weapons than the parang or curved klewang. I wonder how they fought against the Thai with only short- and mid-range blades? Michael