Madura Keris?

[A. G. Maisey]

This is actually a pretty good question Martin --- I think of "good questions" as ones that I need to think about before I can respond to, and although I could have given a quick, off-the-cuff response to this question, I've been thinking about how best I should respond. I think I might now be able to do so.

In Jawa, when we refer to the angle of a keris blade, we refer to that as the "condong campur" of the blade.

"condong campur" applied to the keris & in Bahasa Indonesia can be understood as a "confused angle", actual translation is campur = mixed/confused, condong = leaning; used in Basa Jawa context the understanding is similar but the actual translation is campur = to mix, condhong = in agreement with.

So the blade angle in this keris is bit too "condong campur".

Now, in the Surakarta Pakem, there is a straight keris that is Dhapur Condhong Campur. It has not been drawn with an extreme blade angle, the only remarkable thing about it is that it has sogokan for the full length of the blade. There is also a waved keris that is given as Condhong Campur.

So there you have an explanation of how we would think of this keris in Jawa, but it still does not give you a dhapur name for it, and in my opinion, the blade is far too worn for us to be able to determine exactly how it looked when new.

Footnote: in fact the practical application of this extreme angle is an attempt at an ergonomic application, the angle moves the blade point to a position more favourable to centering on an opponent's body. Now that doesn't matter much today, but it might have provided some slight advantage when keris were used to end life.

[Pendita65]

Dear Mr. Maisey,

thank you again for the way you took the time to think about my question and giving an good explanation. Step by step i learn new things about the Keris and it is an never ending story i guess in getting into the depth of the keris and its meanings in execution and the mystical side of it.

I just aquired the book by David Gallas about the mystical side of the Keris.
called: Pusaka Pangruwating Jiwa.
So hope to gain more insight into the world of Keris.

Have a nice day and thank you so much again,

Regards, Martin

[A. G. Maisey]

You're most welcome Martin.

[RobT]

Regarding Alan Maisey’s footnote,

The practical reason for this angle (Condong Leleh) was discussed in this thread (http://vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=5174) started by Michel on Sept. 3, 2007. Although I fenced sabre, I know that the blade angle on foils was considered so advantageous that the judges would rigorously check and limit the angle amount before and during matches.

Sincerely,
RobT

[A. G. Maisey]

Rob, you've used 'condong leleh' rather than 'condong campur', I think most people would agree with this usage, in fact I used to use leleh rather campur all the time myself.

A few months ago I was pulled up on this usage by a Javanese gentleman whom I regard as pretty well educated in matters revolving around the keris, he made the point that 'condong leleh' implies a 'soft angle' whilst 'condong campur' implies an angle that is not quite right. What he said made sense to me, even though the more usual usage is as you have given it.

Currently I'm using 'campur' & trying to find out how many people disagree with this. Currently its about a 50/50 split.

[Jayaningkurnia]

I understand in Madura, sandang walikat warangka are often used as the primary sandangan and more ornately decorated. There are several types/designs, among other Jurigan (the most common Sumenep style often paired with donoreko hilt), Saron, Nam-Nam, etc.

[A. G. Maisey]

Yes, some keris dress used in Madura is highly ornamented, my memory is that this ornamentation is not limited to sandang walikat form.

I do not understand the word "jurigan" in this context, can you please clarify.

Thank you.