Kayan mandau

[Mytribalworld]

Originally Posted by asomotif

You can call me 'Willem'. That's what most people do



The similarity between celtic design and borneo design is something that started my interest in this culture.
In my twenties I was interested in our celtic past (I am dutch) and read some books about it. I also was interested in tattoo designs and celtic styles withing tattoo designs.
Also Borneo came in perspective due to their tattoo history.
Than in 1997 my sister planned a holiday to Sarawak and I went along.
Those 4 weeks really got me interested.
Old men adorned with various tattoo's. The old habit of headhunting and trophees. The similarity with what I knew from Celtic times where striking.

But of course designs made by humans have 1 factor in common. the're made by humans.

rattan weavings from Indonesia can be very similar to those from the Amazon.

scroll motifs, spirals are found almost everywhere.

But back to the amulet.
I find it difficult to judge an amulet when you are not sure of the age and origin of the mandau. This mandau is clearly old. But there is no way for me to guess when and where the amulet was attached to it.
This specific amulet also reminds me of jewellry from India.
Timor as Ron mentioned could be possible.

Hard to be exact on the amulet, but surely a very nice traditional mandau.

Hi,

I found this pic in Hornbill and Dragon a 300 years old coffin from the Kinabatangan area. look at the scroll motifs.....

On the Celtic influence... I was also interested in the similar connection of Celtic patterns ito Dayak and southeast asian art.
The Scyths had most likely an important role into the exchange of motifs.
They where widespread active from Europe to the borders of China.
A good example is the "twisted back style" where the back of the animal is turned 180 degrees.A art style that's also quite often used on the Aso motifs.