An old dayak ? Parang latok

Ian · 15th November 2025, 03:50 AM

It would be helpful to see a picture of the whole sword, but the evidence so far suggests this is a parang latok. Van Zonneveld says that the hilts on these are almost always wooden, but I have an example that has a bone hilt too. Fran, yours is only the second one I have seen with a bone hilt, and the hilt mounted in this fashion.

Regards,
Ian.

P.S. I found a thread where my example was discussed on the forum previously. There is some mention of a similar weapon used by the Land Dyaks called a buko. Also discussed inn that thread were soe characteristics that help distinguish between a parang latok (Sea Dyak) from buko (Land Dyak). Hope this is helpful to thinking about the sword posted above.

15th November 2025, 03:50 AM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,541	It would be helpful to see a picture of the whole sword, but the evidence so far suggests this is a parang latok. Van Zonneveld says that the hilts on these are almost always wooden, but I have an example that has a bone hilt too. Fran, yours is only the second one I have seen with a bone hilt, and the hilt mounted in this fashion. Regards, Ian. P.S. I found a thread where my example was discussed on the forum previously. There is some mention of a similar weapon used by the Land Dyaks called a buko. Also discussed inn that thread were soe characteristics that help distinguish between a parang latok (Sea Dyak) from buko (Land Dyak). Hope this is helpful to thinking about the sword posted above. Last edited by Ian; 15th November 2025 at 05:05 AM.