Appreciation of a Bugis kind

BluErf · 21st October 2008, 04:19 PM

The Bugis were on both sides of the straits of Malacca, so this blade could have been forged on either side. The feel of the blade is rather different from blades forged by Malays, but Bugis influenced. So I'd say this is a Bugis blade.

Here's another Terengganu sepokal, but with a small Malay blade.

BluErf · 21st October 2008, 04:28 PM

For comparison, a Bugis sepokal, very similar to the title keris here, but dressed in Sumatra.

Btw, I have the hilt of this keris. May I know if any forum member has the rest of the keris, or know the whereabouts of the keris please!?

BluErf · 21st October 2008, 04:31 PM

And as promised, here're some pics of another Terengganu keris with sheath form similar to mine. But this particular example is top-of-class! Not my keris, sadly...

A. G. Maisey · 21st October 2008, 07:15 PM

In Jawa the classification of Bugis is reserved for blades that give an overall impression of form (pawakan) that is similar to a young bambu shoot, and that have flat faces with a bevel that declines sharply to the edge.

If these two indicators exist the blade is very probably going to be classified as a Bugis blade. There are a number of other indicators, and these can influence a final decision, but without the two I have mentioned, a blade will not be classified as Bugis, or more correctly, it may be classified as a sub-classification of Bugis, such as Bugis-Sumbawa, Bugis-Sumba, Bugis-Melayu, etc.

VVV · 21st October 2008, 09:24 PM

Alan,

Are there really Bugis Keris in Sumba, or do you mean Sumbawa?
I didn't know that they hade any keris culture there at all?
If Sumba, do you have any reference pictures.

Michael

A. G. Maisey · 22nd October 2008, 09:01 AM

I mean Bugis-Sumba, Bugis-Sumbawa, and Bugis-Whereverelsebugispeoplehavetouched.

Actually Michael, I have seen photos of people wearing keris in Sumba that look like Bugis keris---in the scabbard of course. I cannot remember where I've seen these pics, but if I do, I'll post copies here. I do not know if there was/is a keris culture there, but the keris seems to crop up in many places where it would be difficult to identify an attached culture.

There is one thing that should not be overlooked:- in my earlier post I reported a Javanese perspective, as that perspective has been related to me. This does not mean it is factual, it simply means that this is the opinion held by some people in Jawa. It is reality for the people who hold the opinion, or belief, but that reality may not be your reality.

BluErf · 22nd October 2008, 04:33 PM

Yes, the hexagonal cross-section has often been cited as a trademark of Bugis blades. I would say it applies to many Malay keris blades of Bugis influence too.

In the world of Malay kerises, you have the Bugis-influenced blades, like the sepokal blades, and the wavy ones with kembang kacang and greneng.

You'd also have the pandai saras group of blades with diamond cross sections, as well as the carita and the melela.

There's also the panjang group of blades, including the bahari and anak alang.

Also, there are some very simple kerises with austere features, like a plain kembang kacang, jalen, gandik, ganja, and effectively a flat blade.

And then finally, you have the keris bethok (the short and broad leaf-shaped blades, like keris budi). (I don't have a pic)

21st October 2008, 04:19 PM	#1
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	The Bugis were on both sides of the straits of Malacca, so this blade could have been forged on either side. The feel of the blade is rather different from blades forged by Malays, but Bugis influenced. So I'd say this is a Bugis blade. Here's another Terengganu sepokal, but with a small Malay blade. Attached Images

21st October 2008, 04:28 PM	#2
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	For comparison, a Bugis sepokal, very similar to the title keris here, but dressed in Sumatra. Btw, I have the hilt of this keris. May I know if any forum member has the rest of the keris, or know the whereabouts of the keris please!? Attached Images

21st October 2008, 04:31 PM	#3
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	And as promised, here're some pics of another Terengganu keris with sheath form similar to mine. But this particular example is top-of-class! Not my keris, sadly... Attached Images

22nd October 2008, 04:33 PM	#7
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Yes, the hexagonal cross-section has often been cited as a trademark of Bugis blades. I would say it applies to many Malay keris blades of Bugis influence too. In the world of Malay kerises, you have the Bugis-influenced blades, like the sepokal blades, and the wavy ones with kembang kacang and greneng. You'd also have the pandai saras group of blades with diamond cross sections, as well as the carita and the melela. There's also the panjang group of blades, including the bahari and anak alang. Also, there are some very simple kerises with austere features, like a plain kembang kacang, jalen, gandik, ganja, and effectively a flat blade. And then finally, you have the keris bethok (the short and broad leaf-shaped blades, like keris budi). (I don't have a pic) Attached Images

21st October 2008, 07:15 PM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,015	In Jawa the classification of Bugis is reserved for blades that give an overall impression of form (pawakan) that is similar to a young bambu shoot, and that have flat faces with a bevel that declines sharply to the edge. If these two indicators exist the blade is very probably going to be classified as a Bugis blade. There are a number of other indicators, and these can influence a final decision, but without the two I have mentioned, a blade will not be classified as Bugis, or more correctly, it may be classified as a sub-classification of Bugis, such as Bugis-Sumbawa, Bugis-Sumba, Bugis-Melayu, etc.

21st October 2008, 09:24 PM	#5
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Alan, Are there really Bugis Keris in Sumba, or do you mean Sumbawa? I didn't know that they hade any keris culture there at all? If Sumba, do you have any reference pictures. Michael

22nd October 2008, 09:01 AM	#6
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,015	I mean Bugis-Sumba, Bugis-Sumbawa, and Bugis-Whereverelsebugispeoplehavetouched. Actually Michael, I have seen photos of people wearing keris in Sumba that look like Bugis keris---in the scabbard of course. I cannot remember where I've seen these pics, but if I do, I'll post copies here. I do not know if there was/is a keris culture there, but the keris seems to crop up in many places where it would be difficult to identify an attached culture. There is one thing that should not be overlooked:- in my earlier post I reported a Javanese perspective, as that perspective has been related to me. This does not mean it is factual, it simply means that this is the opinion held by some people in Jawa. It is reality for the people who hold the opinion, or belief, but that reality may not be your reality.