The Wadon hilt form.

David · 16th July 2023, 04:35 PM

A good analysis Alan. I believe part of the problem here is what i have seen as a tendency to conflate Calonarang with Durga and Rangda. They are all connected in some way, of course, but are certainly different figures with different stories to tell.
Just for illustrative purposes, here is my Balinese Wadon hilt which had been shown on these pages before.

David · 16th July 2023, 05:01 PM

Alan, i am curious what your thought might be on wadon hilts that do not depict the female character as veiled. Are these part of the same mythos or a different story and character altogether?
This first one is obviously a contemporary hilt, but i have seen antique versions of this form so it does seem to have some cultural legitimacy.
The second is based more on the common Javanese "Durga" form, but has a face made from ivory, so is unlike her veiled sisters.

A. G. Maisey · 16th July 2023, 10:05 PM

David, in respect of post#2.

Yes, correct, different characters, and as I wrote:-

"--- There are a great many variations to the stories of Mahendradatta, Rangda & Calonarang, the principle characters of these stories tend to merge one into the other, but one major theme does seem to be (relatively) clear, and that is that Rangda did not magically appear out of nowhere, and nor did Calonarang. ---"

This tendency for stories, beliefs, characteristics to merge seems to be something that often happens with historic, and even current ideas & beliefs in both Bali & Jawa.

I feel that this tendency to combine the characteristics & features of one person, or character, or place, or concept might not be limited to only Jawa/Bali, but could be a general human trait that is spread across all humanity.

In respect of Post #3.

I have never given the questions you have raised any thought, David.

I have no answer.

I have never given this any thought

16th July 2023, 04:35 PM	#1
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,237	A good analysis Alan. I believe part of the problem here is what i have seen as a tendency to conflate Calonarang with Durga and Rangda. They are all connected in some way, of course, but are certainly different figures with different stories to tell. Just for illustrative purposes, here is my Balinese Wadon hilt which had been shown on these pages before. Attached Images

16th July 2023, 05:01 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,237	Alan, i am curious what your thought might be on wadon hilts that do not depict the female character as veiled. Are these part of the same mythos or a different story and character altogether? This first one is obviously a contemporary hilt, but i have seen antique versions of this form so it does seem to have some cultural legitimacy. The second is based more on the common Javanese "Durga" form, but has a face made from ivory, so is unlike her veiled sisters. Attached Images

16th July 2023, 10:05 PM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,056	David, in respect of post#2. Yes, correct, different characters, and as I wrote:- "--- There are a great many variations to the stories of Mahendradatta, Rangda & Calonarang, the principle characters of these stories tend to merge one into the other, but one major theme does seem to be (relatively) clear, and that is that Rangda did not magically appear out of nowhere, and nor did Calonarang. ---" This tendency for stories, beliefs, characteristics to merge seems to be something that often happens with historic, and even current ideas & beliefs in both Bali & Jawa. I feel that this tendency to combine the characteristics & features of one person, or character, or place, or concept might not be limited to only Jawa/Bali, but could be a general human trait that is spread across all humanity. In respect of Post #3. I have never given the questions you have raised any thought, David. I have no answer. I have never given this any thought