Bali Keris Update, 1 of 2

[S.Workman]

Thanks for your comments Kai. I am actually very pleased with the idea of this keris getting battered through its life by being lugged around by someone who lived an outdoor life. While of course I have nothing against kraton work, the keris that I like the most are the simple and soldierly ones. Do you know of a good source for determining the name of the dapur?

[ganjawulung]

Dear Workman,

I am more inclined to see this as a Lombok keris, with its keris hilt also typical style of Lombok called "Cenangan". It looked like a form of "Gerantim" but Gerantim always with gold windings (very rare specimens). And indeed Gerantim destined the owner of nobility rank in Lombok..

Keris Lombok and its accessories, generally it resembles Balinese keris. And it's not surprising, because there is a closeness between the history of Bali in the era of kingdoms, with Lombok.

Regards,
Ganjawulung

[A. G. Maisey]

I feel that the results achieved in restoration of this keris are better than acceptable, and probably about as good as could be expected, given the condition of the blade prior to the clean & stain, and the type of material used in its construction.

You have done a very good job Mr. Workman.

It is a Bali style blade, but there is no way of knowing if it was made in Bali, or in Lombok. Bali had a colony on Lombok that had close ties with Klungkung. Some later Balinese - Lombok keris had a tendency to be a little bit extreme in style, and to vary from the recognised Balinese norm, whilst still retaining the Balinese style, but this is a simple keris, and it could have been produced in either Bali or Lombok.

It should be noted that all Lombok keris are not necessarily of the Balinese form. Lombok was settled and developed by people from various societies, and each of these societal groups had their own form of keris dress.

This hilt form is known as "Loncengan" in both Bali and Lombok.

The Loncengan hilt and the "Cenangan" hilt are very similar, and the Loncengan hilts that are not bound with hair or twine are called Cenangan by some people, however, if a hilt has this form, and it is bound with hair or twine, it appears to be correct to refer to it as Loncengan in both Bali and in Lombok. The differences between the two types, Loncengan and Cenangan, are often slight and not all that easy to see.This similarity in form is also found with the Gerantim and the Cenangan hilts:- both are very similar in form, but as has already been mentioned, the Gerantim used precious metals and was the prerogative of the aristocracy.

In previous times the Loncengan hilt style was normally paired with a Kajongan wrongko, and was considered to be a style of dress suitable for a young man.

My terminology is from personal informants, but their information agrees with both Djelenga and Neka/Yuwono.

In Bali and in the Balinese societies that took root in Lombok, the center of power was not a Kraton, but a Pura, the dwelling place of the ruler. "Kraton", including all variations in spelling, is a Javanese term, not Balinese, the term for the dwelling place of a Balinese ruler is Puri. "Puri" is also used to refer to a temple.

In the case of Javanese social structure, the Kraton absorbed the empus who worked for the Kraton, into Kraton society and accorded them rank within the Kraton hierarchy. In the case of Balinese social structure, the Pandes remained separate from, and outside of, the inner society of the ruler's Puri. When a ruler required a particular pande to work for him, the pande would be called to the Puri and given instructions for the required job.

The members of the Pande Clan in Bali are to a degree a separate group living within the greater society, but observing their own religious traditions, and with their own priests.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

I feel that the results achieved in restoration of this keris are better than acceptable, and probably about as good as could be expected, given the condition of the blade prior to the clean & stain, and the type of material used in its construction.

You have done a very good job Mr. Workman.

Full agreement! Very good job. Some blades just don't have a strong contrast like the other blade you have stained.

Regards,
Detlef

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

It is a Bali style blade, but there is no way of knowing if it was made in Bali, or in Lombok. Bali had a colony on Lombok that had close ties with Klungkung. Some later Balinese - Lombok keris had a tendency to be a little bit extreme in style, and to vary from the recognised Balinese norm, whilst still retaining the Balinese style, but this is a simple keris, and it could have been produced in either Bali or Lombok.

It should be noted that all Lombok keris are not necessarily of the Balinese form. Lombok was settled and developed by people from various societies, and each of these societal groups had their own form of keris dress.

This hilt form is known as "Loncengan" in both Bali and Lombok.

The Loncengan hilt and the "Cenangan" hilt are very similar, and the Loncengan hilts that are not bound with hair or twine are called Cenangan by some people, however, if a hilt has this form, and it is bound with hair or twine, it appears to be correct to refer to it as Loncengan in both Bali and in Lombok. The differences between the two types, Loncengan and Cenangan, are often slight and not all that easy to see.This similarity in form is also found with the Gerantim and the Cenangan hilts:- both are very similar in form, but as has already been mentioned, the Gerantim used precious metals and was the prerogative of the aristocracy.

In previous times the Loncengan hilt style was normally paired with a Kajongan wrongko, and was considered to be a style of dress suitable for a young man.

My terminology is from personal informants, but their information agrees with both Djelenga and Neka/Yuwono.

In Bali and in the Balinese societies that took root in Lombok, the center of power was not a Kraton, but a Pura, the dwelling place of the ruler. "Kraton", including all variations in spelling, is a Javanese term, not Balinese, the term for the dwelling place of a Balinese ruler is Puri. "Puri" is also used to refer to a temple.

In the case of Javanese social structure, the Kraton absorbed the empus who worked for the Kraton, into Kraton society and accorded them rank within the Kraton hierarchy. In the case of Balinese social structure, the Pandes remained separate from, and outside of, the inner society of the ruler's Puri. When a ruler required a particular pande to work for him, the pande would be called to the Puri and given instructions for the required job.

The members of the Pande Clan in Bali are to a degree a separate group living within the greater society, but observing their own religious traditions, and with their own priests.

Great informations! Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge with us.

Regards,
Detlef

[Jean]

Assuming that this is a kris from Lombok and according to Lalu Djelenga, the dapur name should be Demung (kembang kacang, jenggot, lambe gajah, pejetan, full greneng). If from Bali, it would be different...
Regards

[S.Workman]

Originally Posted by Jean

Assuming that this is a kris from Lombok and according to Lalu Djelenga, the dapur name should be Demung (kembang kacang, jenggot, lambe gajah, pejetan, full greneng). If from Bali, it would be different...
Regards

Wait, the terms aren't even universal?!?

[A. G. Maisey]

Yes, correct Mr. Workman.

Keris terminology is very far from universal.

In fact, if we view the keris against a matrix of time and location, that is traveling backwards in time, and in ever expanding circles from any given point in the present, even the word "keris" is not universal.

Remember the "oils ain't oils" ad of some years back?

Well, keris ain't keris.

Your question relating to the position in society of the Balinese Pande Clan really needs a long and complex explanation that probably does not belong here, but it is perhaps sufficient to say that the Clan does not see itself discriminated against, rather it regards itself as a structure equal and apart.

You have mentioned "caste", but caste in Bali is not like caste in India. The Balinese caste system is really a hierarchical system that is based on inherited titles. The title that one inherits establishes right to the place that one has in society, but although that system may be the warp of the society, the weft is comprised of numerous other factors, and all these things together establish the functional position in society.

I have tried for a very long time to understand exactly how this system works, and I still do not understand it. In fact, I have come to the opinion that nobody can truly understand unless they are born Balinese and upon that foundation dedicate a great deal of time to the study of the society. There is simply too much that is hidden from anybody who is not a part of the society.

If this aspect is of interest to you, perhaps a good place to begin would be Sekala and Niskala -Fred B. Eisman,jr.,ISBN 0-945971-03-6.

[S.Workman]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Yes, correct Mr. Workman.

Keris terminology is very far from universal.

In fact, if we view the keris against a matrix of time and location, that is traveling backwards in time, and in ever expanding circles from any given point in the present, even the word "keris" is not universal.

Remember the "oils ain't oils" ad of some years back?

Well, keris ain't keris.

Your question relating to the position in society of the Balinese Pande Clan really needs a long and complex explanation that probably does not belong here, but it is perhaps sufficient to say that the Clan does not see itself discriminated against, rather it regards itself as a structure equal and apart.

You have mentioned "caste", but caste in Bali is not like caste in India. The Balinese caste system is really a hierarchical system that is based on inherited titles. The title that one inherits establishes right to the place that one has in society, but although that system may be the warp of the society, the weft is comprised of numerous other factors, and all these things together establish the functional position in society.

I have tried for a very long time to understand exactly how this system works, and I still do not understand it. In fact, I have come to the opinion that nobody can truly understand unless they are born Balinese and upon that foundation dedicate a great deal of time to the study of the society. There is simply too much that is hidden from anybody who is not a part of the society.

If this aspect is of interest to you, perhaps a good place to begin would be Sekala and Niskala -Fred B. Eisman,jr.,ISBN 0-945971-03-6.

Thank you, I will look into it. I had wondered if maybe smiths were set apart because their art was ambiguous. They are needed, but their works can bring about negative consequences.
Incidentally, did you have a peek at my other keris, here:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=18638
I would very much like to see if you can shed any light on this one too.

[S.Workman]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

I feel that the results achieved in restoration of this keris are better than acceptable, and probably about as good as could be expected, given the condition of the blade prior to the clean & stain, and the type of material used in its construction.

You have done a very good job Mr. Workman.

It is a Bali style blade, but there is no way of knowing if it was made in Bali, or in Lombok. Bali had a colony on Lombok that had close ties with Klungkung. Some later Balinese - Lombok keris had a tendency to be a little bit extreme in style, and to vary from the recognised Balinese norm, whilst still retaining the Balinese style, but this is a simple keris, and it could have been produced in either Bali or Lombok.

It should be noted that all Lombok keris are not necessarily of the Balinese form. Lombok was settled and developed by people from various societies, and each of these societal groups had their own form of keris dress.

This hilt form is known as "Loncengan" in both Bali and Lombok.

The Loncengan hilt and the "Cenangan" hilt are very similar, and the Loncengan hilts that are not bound with hair or twine are called Cenangan by some people, however, if a hilt has this form, and it is bound with hair or twine, it appears to be correct to refer to it as Loncengan in both Bali and in Lombok. The differences between the two types, Loncengan and Cenangan, are often slight and not all that easy to see.This similarity in form is also found with the Gerantim and the Cenangan hilts:- both are very similar in form, but as has already been mentioned, the Gerantim used precious metals and was the prerogative of the aristocracy.

In previous times the Loncengan hilt style was normally paired with a Kajongan wrongko, and was considered to be a style of dress suitable for a young man.

My terminology is from personal informants, but their information agrees with both Djelenga and Neka/Yuwono.

In Bali and in the Balinese societies that took root in Lombok, the center of power was not a Kraton, but a Pura, the dwelling place of the ruler. "Kraton", including all variations in spelling, is a Javanese term, not Balinese, the term for the dwelling place of a Balinese ruler is Puri. "Puri" is also used to refer to a temple.

In the case of Javanese social structure, the Kraton absorbed the empus who worked for the Kraton, into Kraton society and accorded them rank within the Kraton hierarchy. In the case of Balinese social structure, the Pandes remained separate from, and outside of, the inner society of the ruler's Puri. When a ruler required a particular pande to work for him, the pande would be called to the Puri and given instructions for the required job.

The members of the Pande Clan in Bali are to a degree a separate group living within the greater society, but observing their own religious traditions, and with their own priests.

Thanks so much for taking the time to reflect on this keris, it is much appreciated. Does the difference in court arrangement and the semi excluded position of the pande have a basis in caste system? Or did they perhaps favor the role, since it kept their metalworking secrets to themselves?