Another Most Interesting Parang Nabur/Beladah Belabang

VVV · 6th June 2008, 09:16 AM

Arjan,

Thanks for a good explanation. Actually extremely oversized swords are found in classic European regalia too as power symbols.
And animism, as well as superstition, I think could be found among all human, or visible, people.

Michael

Royston · 8th June 2008, 05:35 PM

Charles,

I also have a liking for these and have quite a few.

Rumour has it that everything is bigger in the States but perhaps this time we win !!!!!

However, This is the largest that I have seen. No scabbard unfortunately. Please forgive the poor photograph, I know it is unusual in England but the big yellow thing in the sky is out at the moment making it hard to get decent photos.

Cheers
Royston

CharlesS · 8th June 2008, 06:57 PM

Royston, that's a lovely example with a deep curve and very similar blade style. I like the chieselling and the fetish cartouche.

Seems the blade tip is almsot identical to mine.

Thanks for sharing.

VVV · 8th June 2008, 10:33 PM

Royston,
That's both large and a beauty!
How long is it?

Michael

Royston · 9th June 2008, 01:41 PM

I guess you cannot enlarge these photos, but if you look at the end of the tape by the hilt, it just touches 38 inches.

Royston

Royston · 9th June 2008, 01:55 PM

Charles,
The tips are similar although mine is quite blunt and has never been sharpened. I cannot see it ever having been used as a stabbing weapon, which considering the length would have made it more useful. I realise that a curved blade like this would have been designed for slashing, but one would think that a point would give that extra advantage in combat.
Mine is also pierced at the tip with 5 holes which I assume are purely for decoration.

Regards
Royston

VVV · 9th June 2008, 02:44 PM

Here up North they grow even more - my longest is 45 inch

On the tips the Beladah Belabang is of course mainly a slashing weapon.
Especially the longer ones.
But the medium-sized ones are well balanced for a combinaton of thrust and slash attacks.
Here are 2 medium-sized versions of other kind of BB tips and decorative piercing.
I just noticed that Charles' BB has the holes arranged in a tumpal motif (VVV).

Michael

8th June 2008, 05:35 PM	#2
Royston Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Poole England Posts: 443	IS MINE BIGGER THAN YOURS ? Charles, I also have a liking for these and have quite a few. Rumour has it that everything is bigger in the States but perhaps this time we win !!!!! However, This is the largest that I have seen. No scabbard unfortunately. Please forgive the poor photograph, I know it is unusual in England but the big yellow thing in the sky is out at the moment making it hard to get decent photos. Cheers Royston Attached Images

9th June 2008, 01:41 PM	#5
Royston Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Poole England Posts: 443	BB I guess you cannot enlarge these photos, but if you look at the end of the tape by the hilt, it just touches 38 inches. Royston

9th June 2008, 02:44 PM	#7
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Here up North they grow even more - my longest is 45 inch On the tips the Beladah Belabang is of course mainly a slashing weapon. Especially the longer ones. But the medium-sized ones are well balanced for a combinaton of thrust and slash attacks. Here are 2 medium-sized versions of other kind of BB tips and decorative piercing. I just noticed that Charles' BB has the holes arranged in a tumpal motif (VVV). Michael Attached Images

6th June 2008, 09:16 AM	#1
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Arjan, Thanks for a good explanation. Actually extremely oversized swords are found in classic European regalia too as power symbols. And animism, as well as superstition, I think could be found among all human, or visible, people. Michael

8th June 2008, 06:57 PM	#3
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Royston, that's a lovely example with a deep curve and very similar blade style. I like the chieselling and the fetish cartouche. Seems the blade tip is almsot identical to mine. Thanks for sharing.

8th June 2008, 10:33 PM	#4
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Royston, That's both large and a beauty! How long is it? Michael

9th June 2008, 01:55 PM	#6
Royston Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Poole England Posts: 443	Charles, The tips are similar although mine is quite blunt and has never been sharpened. I cannot see it ever having been used as a stabbing weapon, which considering the length would have made it more useful. I realise that a curved blade like this would have been designed for slashing, but one would think that a point would give that extra advantage in combat. Mine is also pierced at the tip with 5 holes which I assume are purely for decoration. Regards Royston