PARANG PANDIT

Mytribalworld · 9th May 2009, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VVV

I have no idea on how to estimate the age of a pandat by features and styles.
So by looking on patina and work details my guess is mid to late 19th C (in order).
I have been told from a local source that the Pandat wasn't manufactured after the 1930's.

Michael

Hi Michael,

Nice examples again ! I have a old book that where the writer ( 1865) describes the use of the parang latok, In my opinion close related to the pandat. At first he mentioned that the sword was a Malay influence and was already in disuse for warlike purpose course blades from europe where imported which where cheaper.

Interesting is that he explaines the use ( parang latok) as beiing used at two different ways. The one for small jobs like chopping wood,where they hold the sword in the nick of the blade for a better grip.
The other way is for an very effective blow where you use the blade in his full length and first slash the blade into the wound and then pull the entire length trough the wound which maybe explain why the handle is that simple.
The sword has to be taken between the fingers when pulling trough the wound. I can also imagine that a head can be chopped off with one blow that way.

Your pandat with the holes drilled in it can be very old I think and I see some similarity with designs of the malay Anak Wali ( see spirit of wood) so maybe closer to the source? ( just a guess)

Arjan.

VVV · 10th May 2009, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mandaukudi

(snip) Your pandat with the holes drilled in it can be very old I think and I see some similarity with designs of the malay Anak Wali ( see spirit of wood) so maybe closer to the source? ( just a guess)

Arjan.

Hi Arjan,

Thanks for the description on the use of the Land Dayak swords.
I don't get the resemblence with an Anak Wali however?
Please develop this idea when you find time.

Michael

asomotif · 2nd March 2011, 12:51 AM

ca. 1875 picture/drawing. studio made

tom hyle · 9th March 2011, 01:07 AM

OMG what a cool sword!!!!! I have so much to say I'm liable to forget 1/2 of it plus I'm in a room with friends to distract me.
OMG OMG OMG
OK
OK calm down, Tom!
Beautiful swords!
I find a resemblance to the wierd big Naga sword with the iron handle and integral crossguard; no? Are these super-rare and perhaps ceremonial, like those?
What relation of Nagas and Dyaks, ethno-historically? Other than the handle, seems to be a pretty straitforward parang latok in concept, and so in use? But note how it's dangling "backwards" from the man's hand; is this a method of use or is this how it's carried?
Are the crossguards used for control like the "finger" on a pinegas?
OMG!!!!!!!

When cutting with parang latok/parang lading, as with other swords that curve, bend, or lean back (kilij is particularly similar, while this is often spoken/written of in N America in reference to Japanese swords) the back-wards angle to the blade causes it to pull thru the target with a slashlike action, even when the hand action is a simple "hack".

Battara · 10th March 2011, 04:26 AM

Wonderful pieces!

STill don't understand how they were used however.

asomotif · 11th March 2011, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom hyle

!
I find a resemblance to the wierd big Naga sword with the iron handle and integral crossguard; no? Are these super-rare and perhaps ceremonial, like those?
What relation of Nagas and Dyaks, ethno-historically? Other than the handle, seems to be a pretty straitforward parang latok in concept, and so in use? But note how it's dangling "backwards" from the man's hand; is this a method of use or is this how it's carried?
Are the crossguards used for control like the "finger" on a pinegas?
.

Yes they indeed do resemble the naga swords, after I found a (rare) example on Oriental arms. But I do'nt know if there is a connection between these regions.

tom hyle · 13th March 2011, 06:19 AM

In both cases there is a certain resemblance to swords from the same nations with more ordinary hilts (ie. Parang latok/lading and Naga Dao). In both cases, not only is the handle made of iron/steel, and integral to the blade, but there is the addition of the crossguard, and also in both cases there is an altered step-down or offset to the transition from blade to grip.
I think something is going on here; are these all high status/ritual swords? They seem it?.......

Coming in from the side, appropos of nothin; the sharply rectangular cross-section of the grip is reminiscent of that on "machete Phillipiana" (spelling?)
But is the grip on the Naga one rectangular, too? It looks more comfortably rounded?

Mytribalworld · 13th March 2011, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tom hyle

OMG what a cool sword!!!!! I have so much to say I'm liable to forget 1/2 of it plus I'm in a room with friends to distract me.
OMG OMG OMG
OK
OK calm down, Tom!
Beautiful swords!
I find a resemblance to the wierd big Naga sword with the iron handle and integral crossguard; no? Are these super-rare and perhaps ceremonial, like those?
What relation of Nagas and Dyaks, ethno-historically? Other than the handle, seems to be a pretty straitforward parang latok in concept, and so in use? But note how it's dangling "backwards" from the man's hand; is this a method of use or is this how it's carried?
Are the crossguards used for control like the "finger" on a pinegas?
OMG!!!!!!!

When cutting with parang latok/parang lading, as with other swords that curve, bend, or lean back (kilij is particularly similar, while this is often spoken/written of in N America in reference to Japanese swords) the back-wards angle to the blade causes it to pull thru the target with a slashlike action, even when the hand action is a simple "hack".

In overall shape there's seems to be a relation between the Naga sword and the Borneo pandat.
In use the Nagasword is for me,( I just exercised with it) the most ergonomic type. It wouldn't suprise me if the bone or antler top at the pandat handle was actually once of iron( for both hand use) but developped later to smaller proportions.
There seems relation between the Naga and Indonesian tribes and there are comparables in their culture like headhunting, feast of merit,megaliths,Y-posts,tattooing etc

Arjan

tom hyle · 11th June 2011, 07:32 AM

I found out that pandit is a Hindoo priest or religious instructor of some kind.

VVV · 8th January 2012, 10:43 PM

Here is another pandat I have found.
It has resembling motifs on the scabbard as the others but the end piece on this is ivory, which I haven't seen before.

Michael

2nd March 2011, 12:51 AM	#3
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,237	ca. 1875 picture/drawing. studio made Attached Images

9th March 2011, 01:07 AM	#4
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	OMG what a cool sword!!!!! I have so much to say I'm liable to forget 1/2 of it plus I'm in a room with friends to distract me. OMG OMG OMG OK OK calm down, Tom! Beautiful swords! I find a resemblance to the wierd big Naga sword with the iron handle and integral crossguard; no? Are these super-rare and perhaps ceremonial, like those? What relation of Nagas and Dyaks, ethno-historically? Other than the handle, seems to be a pretty straitforward parang latok in concept, and so in use? But note how it's dangling "backwards" from the man's hand; is this a method of use or is this how it's carried? Are the crossguards used for control like the "finger" on a pinegas? OMG!!!!!!! When cutting with parang latok/parang lading, as with other swords that curve, bend, or lean back (kilij is particularly similar, while this is often spoken/written of in N America in reference to Japanese swords) the back-wards angle to the blade causes it to pull thru the target with a slashlike action, even when the hand action is a simple "hack". Last edited by tom hyle; 9th March 2011 at 03:50 PM.

8th January 2012, 10:43 PM	#10
VVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sweden Posts: 1,637	Here is another pandat I have found. It has resembling motifs on the scabbard as the others but the end piece on this is ivory, which I haven't seen before. Michael Attached Images

10th March 2011, 04:26 AM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	Wonderful pieces! STill don't understand how they were used however.

13th March 2011, 06:19 AM	#7
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	In both cases there is a certain resemblance to swords from the same nations with more ordinary hilts (ie. Parang latok/lading and Naga Dao). In both cases, not only is the handle made of iron/steel, and integral to the blade, but there is the addition of the crossguard, and also in both cases there is an altered step-down or offset to the transition from blade to grip. I think something is going on here; are these all high status/ritual swords? They seem it?....... Coming in from the side, appropos of nothin; the sharply rectangular cross-section of the grip is reminiscent of that on "machete Phillipiana" (spelling?) But is the grip on the Naga one rectangular, too? It looks more comfortably rounded?

11th June 2011, 07:32 AM	#9
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	I found out that pandit is a Hindoo priest or religious instructor of some kind.