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.Tangguh
           Tangguh 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. Pamor
           Surface 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

Source :

www.wikipedia.org

http://www.joglosemar.co.id .