KERIS
Keris
is the most famous pusaka or heirloom
for Javanese people. In the ancient time, a man is not considered as a real man if he has no
keris. The keris is highly valued, treated and respected with special care. Keris is a prized asymmetrical dagger
most strongly associated with the culture of Indonesia, but also indigenous
to Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei
and Singapore.
It is known as kalis
in the Southern Philiphine. The keris is famous
for its distinctive wavy blade, although many have straight blades as well. In
Java, this pusaka is usually inherited
from fore fathers. According to Javanese ancient tradition, especially in the
court families, a father was obliged to give to his adult son at least a keris.
In general, keris is divided to two
important parts, the blade (Wilah) and the scabbard (Warangka), to protect the
blade. The process of the making of the blade in the old days may last one year
only for one keris. The keris maker is called an Empu (Blacksmith). Only the
respectable Empus could make a high quality keris, physically and spiritually.
Empu has to do some spiritual deeds to prepare a keris, like fasting, not
sleeping for several days and nights, meditation, etc.
Keris
history is generally traced through the study of carvings and bas-relief panels
found in Southeast Asia. It is believed that the
earliest keris prototype can be traced to Dong Son bronze culture in Vietnam circa 300 BC that spread to other parts of Southeast Asia. Another theory is
that the keris was based on daggers from India.
Some of the most famous renderings of a keris appear on the bas-reliefs of Borobudur
(825) and Prambanan
temple (850). However from Raffles (1817) study of the Candi Sukuh
that the keris recognized today came into existence around 1361 AD in the
kingdom of Majapahit, East Java.
The scene in bas relief of Sukuh Temple in Central Java
dated from 15th century Majapahit era, shows the workshop of a Javanese keris Empu.
The scene depicted Bhima as the Empu on the left forging the metal, Ganesha in
the center, and Arjuna on the right operating the piston bellows to blow air
into the furnace. The wall behind the Empu displays various items manufactured
in the forge, including keris. These representations of the keris in Candi
Sukuh established the fact that by the year 1437 the keris had already gained
an important place within Javanese culture.
The Sanghyang siksakandang karesian canto XVII, a Sundanese manuscript dated from Saka 1440 or
1518 AD, describes the keris as the weapon of kings, while the kujang
is the weapon of farmers. There exist claims of earlier forms predating the
Majapahit keris but none are verifiable. In the past, the majority of keris had
straight blades but this became less frequent over time. Tome Pires,
in early 16th century, describes the importance of the keris to the Javanese.
While
it is commonly believed that keris were the primary weapons wielded by fighters
in the past, they were actually carried by warriors as a secondary armament if
they lost their main weapon, which was usually a spear. For commoners however, keris
were worn on a daily basis, especially when travelling because it might be
needed for self-defense. During time of peace, people wore keris as part of
ceremonial attire. Ceremonial keris were often meticulously decorated with
intricate carving in gold and precious stones. Heirloom blades were handed down
through successive generations and worn during special events such as weddings
and other ceremonies. Men usually wore only one keris but the famous admiral Hang Tuah
is said in the Hikayat Hang Tuah to have armed himself with one short and one
long keris. Women also wore keris, though usually of a smaller size than a
man's. In battle, a fighter might have carried more than one keris, some
carried three keris: his own, one from his father-in-law, and one as a family
heirloom. The extra two served as parrying daggers but if none were available,
the sheath would serve the same purpose.
At
workshop with good fire plate to case the row materials such as 5 kg iron
plate, measuring; 4 cm wide, 2 cm thick, 15 cm long; 50 gr of nickel and 0,5 kg
of steel. The iron is heated until it become smaller, it forges again and
again. The 5 kg iron become 2 kg forged iron. The nickel inserted in between
the forged iron, smolder them, forged them carefully to produce the desired
'pamor' or surface pattern. Afterward the steel sheet, together with above
forged iron and nickel, smolder and forge again.
In this stage the keris should be
made Keris Lurus (a straight keris) or Keris Luk (keris with curves). The keris
should be formed in accordance to the blue print, using several tools such as;
rough fine, triangular files, grindstone and chisels. Afterwards the keris
should be heated but not smoldered and than plated, to make the keris more
durable. After it has been plated, it should be soaked in a mix solution of
sulfur, lemon juice and salt. The keris is ready and its weight is about 0,4
kg.
The Physical Characteristic of Keris
:
1. Keris Lurus (straight Keris) and Keris Luk (curved
keris)2. Dapur
Dapur or shape is the keris specific form or type and identified by particular combination of parts and curved (luk). The meaning of dapur is based on certain standard which is called Pakem Dapur Keris. The names of dapur among other :
o Sangga Buwono
o Jangkung Mangkurat
o Pasopati
o Tilam Upih
o Sengkelat
o Jalak Nyucup Madu
o Etc.
3.TangguhTangguh is the estimated era of keris making. It is linked with prominent kingdoms, such as ;
o Tangguh Kahuripan of XI AD
o Tangguh Singasari of XII AD
o Tangguh Pajajaran of XIII AD
o Tangguh Majapahit of XIV AD
o Tangguh Mataram of XIV - XVI AD
o Tangguh Kartosuro
o Tangguh Surokarto
o Tangguh Yogyakarta
o Etc.
4. PamorSurface pattern of a keris blade, the design has not been carved, it appears as a result of forging technique of different metals. Some pamor's name are :
o Ilining Warih
o Wos Wutah
o Lintang Kemukus
o Udan Mas
o Mlati Sumebar
The Physical characteristic of
Keris, also symbolizing its mission.
1.
Dapur
: Jalak Ngucup Madu (jalak is a
starling, a kind of bird; ngucup is drink; madu is honey). The wish is clear,
the owner of the keris should live in prosperity.
2.
Pamor
: Udan Mas (udan is rain; mas is gold).
The keris has a mission to help its owner to have an abundant wealth.
A. Keris Lurus or Straight Keris, symbolizing
self-confidence, strong mentality.
B. Keris Luk or Keris with Curved
Luk 3 : symbolizing a success to achieve some wishes.
Luk 5 : to be loved by other people.
Luk 7 : dignity.
Luk 9 : dignity, charismatic and
leadership.
Luk 11 : to achieve high position
Luk 13 : peaceful and stability of live
Luk 11 : to achieve high position
Luk 13 : peaceful and stability of live
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