Keris hilts with raised curved backbones

[Sajen]

Here is an example in my collection. It's a type I've seen in other collections also. When I remember correct is the prominent backbone an attribute of this hilts.

Regards,
Detlef

[Sajen]

Here for comparison an other Palembang hilt.

[Marcokeris]

Very nice hilts! .... but about these kind of gana-top hilts: how many sumatran handles are there with this identical shape? I've seen dozens of them and I find strange that Nature offers so many tops almost perfectly equal

[A. G. Maisey]

There are several different ways in which to understand the Gana type hilt. The first is one that I believe to be the most common understanding in Central Jawa, it is what I have been told by a number of people over a +50 year period.

The Gana form is a natural form that comes from nature, thus it is gift from God and as such has esoteric qualities that come directly from God. Ideally there should be no alteration or "improvement" to it at all, but if it is necessary to have a human intervention in its form, that intervention should be absolutely minimal because it is not really acceptable to try to improve upon the work of God. Each piece of human intervention lessens the power of the hilt.

Another way to understand the Gana form is that it is a natural talisman that incorporates the idea of new or beginning life. One of the ways in which to understand the word "gana" is "foetus, larva, pupa", so the Gana Hilt incorporates a similar understanding to the understanding attached to the Balinese Kocet-kocetan/Kusia group of hilts.

A third way of understanding is that the vaguely humanoid form of a Gana hilt is representative of one of the followers of Ganesha, who are known as Ganas. In Sanskrit, which then comes into Kawi, a gana can be a friend, a follower, a helper, a member of the group of demi-gods who are attached to a Deity.

A fourth way of understanding the Gana form is that this form is representative of Ganesha himself. Taking account of the prevalence of Ganesha cults in Jawa, and the length of time these cults have existed, this understanding seems to me to be the most relevant.

Other understandings that I have heard, but to me seem to be less believable are that Gana hilt form can represent a cloud, and can be understood symbolically in the same way as a cloud; secondly, that a Gana hilt, yaitu pegangan "Gana" is simply a way of saying "figural hilt".

I would suggest that perhaps only the original owner of any Gana hilt would know what it represented to him.

[Interested Party]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

There are several different ways in which to understand the Gana type hilt.....I would suggest that perhaps only the original owner of any Gana hilt would know what it represented to him.

Thank you for the incite. Is the original owner the same thing as artesian who carved it?

[A. G. Maisey]

Who knows?

As I said, as little as possible should be done to the natural form. This type of hilt should not carved, nor "improved" if at all possible. So, if somebody finds something like this, I would imagine that if some slight modification needs to be done in order to use as a hilt, then the finder would do that.

This type of hilt should not be something that is ordered from an artist-craftsman, it should be something that God, or if you wish Mother Earth, has given to you.

[drdavid]

Interesting that in the examples shown the 'backbone' has an initial concavity to the left in the lower part and concavity to the right in the upper part. In medical terms a 'balanced or compensated scoliosis'. Has anyone an example where the curves are reversed
drd

[Jean]

Originally Posted by Marcokeris

Very nice hilts! .... but about these kind of gana-top hilts: how many sumatran handles are there with this identical shape? I've seen dozens of them and I find strange that Nature offers so many tops almost perfectly equal

Hello Marco,
I believe that these Sumatrese gana hilts are actually carved, unlike some naturally shaped Javanese specimens.
Regards

[A. G. Maisey]

Yes Jean, I agree, I think it is obvious that at the very least these hilts shown here have been "improved", and really, by definition that disqualifies them from being named as "Gana", but then we have the problem of what else to call them.

[Marcokeris]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Yes Jean, I agree, I think it is obvious that at the very least these hilts shown here have been "improved", and really, by definition that disqualifies them from being named as "Gana", but then we have the problem of what else to call them.

I have red just now your answer Mr. Maisey and I agree

[Interested Party]

And the thread comes full circle. I now have some understanding of Gana, a subject that when we began this talk I didn't know enough about to know that I didn't know anything. Great discussion of culture and aesthetics. It makes me miss my university days. Does anyone have a supposition on the importance of the spine in this form? Hunger, scoliosis, a point of attack? The highlight of that one physical feature is fascinating in pieces this abstract.

[Marcokeris]

Originally Posted by Jean

Hello Marco,
I believe that these Sumatrese gana hilts are actually carved, unlike some naturally shaped Javanese specimens.
Regards

Jean you have understood what I meant. But then I ask to myself: these Sumatra handles can be considered "gana" if, hypothetically, they were carved on the basis of guidelines repeated several times at different times by different carvers ... or they could have another name instead gana that identifies them (such as for example: donoriko, jawa deman, tunggak semi, duga, pangulu etc. etc.)?