Two small Coteng - keris selit or are they older?

BluErf · 11th July 2011, 04:27 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, 10:10 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, 03:05 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

BluErf · 7th November 2011, 09:50 AM

Nice old coteng sheath. The 'window' in the batang is probably old damage.

The part of the batang that has been lost could easily have been 5cm or longer, to make the proportions correct.

Sajen · 7th November 2011, 07:18 PM

Thank you Kai Wee for your informed help!

I have get with the sheath a second one from the same wood (I think) but with a old repair but the batang is still ok. I am unsure if I shall cut the broken one and should replace it with the good one, the cut don't will be visible by the silver sleeve. What do you think?

Regards,

Detlef

PenangsangII · 8th November 2011, 12:55 AM

the term ''keris selit'' is relatively new as traditionally, the smaller keris tucked in the waist band is called ''keris pandak'' in reference to short keris. Keris pandak normally holds a higher status as most probably its the type of pusaka / heirloom, whilst the longer keris could be the fighting /battle keris, which normally hand held.

WRT question on how these ppl battled out the Siamese, normally the Pattani fighters those days were also armed with klewang or parang. Though they are shorter, i did not doubt they can stand against the longer dha or a katana for that matter. These ppl have developed fighting style to suit their need, and the weapon culture was also developed for the continuous warfare with the Siamese.

BluErf · 8th November 2011, 03:14 PM

Hi Detlef,

The other sheath has a broken daunan, but the batang is one piece with the cross-piece. It is quite a waste to cut the batang to fit the first sheath.

If you don't have a keris blade and coteng hilt to fit the first sheath, why not just leave them be for the time being. If you do get a keris blade and coteng hilt in the future, you could send it to Malaysia to be fitted, and at the same time, get a batang and metal works done.

Sajen · 11th November 2011, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PenangsangII

the term ''keris selit'' is relatively new as traditionally, the smaller keris tucked in the waist band is called ''keris pandak'' in reference to short keris. Keris pandak normally holds a higher status as most probably its the type of pusaka / heirloom, whilst the longer keris could be the fighting /battle keris, which normally hand held.

WRT question on how these ppl battled out the Siamese, normally the Pattani fighters those days were also armed with klewang or parang. Though they are shorter, i did not doubt they can stand against the longer dha or a katana for that matter. These ppl have developed fighting style to suit their need, and the weapon culture was also developed for the continuous warfare with the Siamese.

Thank you for this informations!

Regards,

Detlef

6th November 2011, 03:05 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,416	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

7th November 2011, 07:18 PM	#5
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,416	Thank you Kai Wee for your informed help! I have get with the sheath a second one from the same wood (I think) but with a old repair but the batang is still ok. I am unsure if I shall cut the broken one and should replace it with the good one, the cut don't will be visible by the silver sleeve. What do you think? Regards, Detlef Attached Images

8th November 2011, 12:55 AM	#6
PenangsangII Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 401	keris selit the term ''keris selit'' is relatively new as traditionally, the smaller keris tucked in the waist band is called ''keris pandak'' in reference to short keris. Keris pandak normally holds a higher status as most probably its the type of pusaka / heirloom, whilst the longer keris could be the fighting /battle keris, which normally hand held. WRT question on how these ppl battled out the Siamese, normally the Pattani fighters those days were also armed with klewang or parang. Though they are shorter, i did not doubt they can stand against the longer dha or a katana for that matter. These ppl have developed fighting style to suit their need, and the weapon culture was also developed for the continuous warfare with the Siamese.

11th July 2011, 04:27 PM	#1
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, 10:10 PM	#2
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

7th November 2011, 09:50 AM	#4
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Nice old coteng sheath. The 'window' in the batang is probably old damage. The part of the batang that has been lost could easily have been 5cm or longer, to make the proportions correct.

8th November 2011, 03:14 PM	#7
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Hi Detlef, The other sheath has a broken daunan, but the batang is one piece with the cross-piece. It is quite a waste to cut the batang to fit the first sheath. If you don't have a keris blade and coteng hilt to fit the first sheath, why not just leave them be for the time being. If you do get a keris blade and coteng hilt in the future, you could send it to Malaysia to be fitted, and at the same time, get a batang and metal works done.