Semarang, the parang from Halmahera

Sajen · 25th January 2009, 08:51 PM

Hello Michael and all others,
I have one Salawaku in my collection that is very different to all others. My guess have been that it maybe originate from Ternate and come to Halmahera long time ago. I collect it in a small village nearby Tobelo and the people told me that it is a very old heirloom. The motives indicate it to Moluccas for sure. Someone have seen a shield like this before?
Regards,
Detlef

VVV · 26th January 2009, 09:21 AM

Interesting shield!
I haven't seen any like that before but I am not collecting shields myself.
Maybe you should ask Arjan or Ben?

Michael

Sajen · 27th January 2009, 01:19 AM

Hello Michael,
Ben have seen this shield, he like it but also don't know moore about it.
Maybe Arjan look this threat and will give his comment.
Regards,
Detlef

Mytribalworld · 27th January 2009, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hello Michael and all others,
I have one Salawaku in my collection that is very different to all others. My guess have been that it maybe originate from Ternate and come to Halmahera long time ago. I collect it in a small village nearby Tobelo and the people told me that it is a very old heirloom. The motives indicate it to Moluccas for sure. Someone have seen a shield like this before?
Regards,
Detlef

Hi Detlef,

Not that I can remember,But I think your in the good direction with Ternate.
The shields from Ternate are indeed more rectangular and has the flowermotif your shield also have. There are also brass shields from Ternate more or less in this style, here a pic....

Arjan.

Sajen · 28th January 2009, 07:00 PM

Thank you Arjan for reply,
I've also seen a similar shield in a book but can't remember in which one.
Regards,
Detlef

Maurice · 22nd October 2012, 11:32 AM

Because of the "ridges" in front of the shield from top to bottom (over the length of the shield) I would say it's made in regions were the Salawaku's were made, as they also had these kind of "ridges" sometimes (if that's the good word for it).... but this is my personal oppinion, and I have no proof for it.

But it's hard to determine the origin, as the shield on the image below was collected in 1857 at the "Tomori bay expedition" in Celebes (which looks a lot like the shield Arjan posted, but it isn't the same as it's decorated a bit different....).
According to Juynboll book part XIX, "Celebes" (1927), there still were a few of these shields in Limbotto and in the Minahassa, and were they still used in feastly parades and mirrorfights by the best warriors.

It's a bit like the copper helmets (taoboetaoes), which were found in Celebes, Moluccans and also the Philippines...
Salawaku's were also found in the north part of Celebes, as in the Molucan islands.
And also the pade like parangs were found on Celebes and around the Moluccan islands....

Limbotto

Battara · 22nd October 2012, 10:57 PM

The shield above looks like it is metal covered and repoussed. Is this the case?

Maurice · 22nd October 2012, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

The shield above looks like it is metal covered and repoussed. Is this the case?

Yes it consists of wood and copper according the museumdatabase.
Look at the (bad) picture which gives you an indication of how it looks like in real.

Battara · 23rd October 2012, 01:41 AM

Thank you Maurice. I guess this is a very rare form of this shield, right?

25th January 2009, 08:51 PM	#1
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,409	Hello Michael and all others, I have one Salawaku in my collection that is very different to all others. My guess have been that it maybe originate from Ternate and come to Halmahera long time ago. I collect it in a small village nearby Tobelo and the people told me that it is a very old heirloom. The motives indicate it to Moluccas for sure. Someone have seen a shield like this before? Regards, Detlef Attached Images

22nd October 2012, 11:32 AM	#6
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,462	Because of the "ridges" in front of the shield from top to bottom (over the length of the shield) I would say it's made in regions were the Salawaku's were made, as they also had these kind of "ridges" sometimes (if that's the good word for it).... but this is my personal oppinion, and I have no proof for it. But it's hard to determine the origin, as the shield on the image below was collected in 1857 at the "Tomori bay expedition" in Celebes (which looks a lot like the shield Arjan posted, but it isn't the same as it's decorated a bit different....). According to Juynboll book part XIX, "Celebes" (1927), there still were a few of these shields in Limbotto and in the Minahassa, and were they still used in feastly parades and mirrorfights by the best warriors. It's a bit like the copper helmets (taoboetaoes), which were found in Celebes, Moluccans and also the Philippines... Salawaku's were also found in the north part of Celebes, as in the Molucan islands. And also the pade like parangs were found on Celebes and around the Moluccan islands.... Limbotto Attached Images

26th January 2009, 09:21 AM	#2
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Interesting shield! I haven't seen any like that before but I am not collecting shields myself. Maybe you should ask Arjan or Ben? Michael

27th January 2009, 01:19 AM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,409	Hello Michael, Ben have seen this shield, he like it but also don't know moore about it. Maybe Arjan look this threat and will give his comment. Regards, Detlef

28th January 2009, 07:00 PM	#5
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,409	Thank you Arjan for reply, I've also seen a similar shield in a book but can't remember in which one. Regards, Detlef

22nd October 2012, 10:57 PM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,342	The shield above looks like it is metal covered and repoussed. Is this the case?

23rd October 2012, 01:41 AM	#9
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,342	Thank you Maurice. I guess this is a very rare form of this shield, right?