A Batak sewar for sharing and discussion

[RobT]

Detlef,

If I am not mistaken, you provided a photo of a page from The Batak by A Sibeth. Does the the book identify the leftmost dagger (the one with the curved blade and brass sheath)? If so, could you please give me the name, area of origin, ethnic group affiliation, etc? I have three of these blades and have been trying for a while to get concrete information about them.

Sincerely,
RobT

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by RobT

If I am not mistaken, you provided a photo of a page from The Batak by A Sibeth. Does the the book identify the leftmost dagger (the one with the curved blade and brass sheath)? If so, could you please give me the name, area of origin, ethnic group affiliation, etc? I have three of these blades and have been trying for a while to get concrete information about them.

Hello Rob,

It's good to read on the picture, "far left: insignia of a Karo Batak pengulu which comes from Aceh; length: c. 35 cm

Frankly said, I doubt this description. Looks North African to me.

Regards,
Detlef

[RobT]

Detlif,

I also always thought that these blades came from North Africa and have been given information attributing them to the Eritrean region. Googling pengulu yields a definition of "a leader of a colonial-style village or tribe, in some islands of Indonesia" and also an alternate spelling (penghulu). I rather doubt the dagger in question has anything to do with the Karo Batak.

Sincerely,
RobT