Legend had it that the mystical keris Taming Sari could fly and seek out the enemy, just like modern missiles. Not only that but it would even rattle in its sheath to warn its owner of potential danger.
In the 15th. Century, when he wanted to ask for the hand in marriage of Majapahit princess Raden Galoh Chandra Kirana, Sultan Mansur Shah traveled to Java with his royal bodyguard, Hang Tuah.
Keris is a unique weapon synonymous to the Malay kingdom. In the ancient time, a man without a keris was akin to being naked. Simply defined, a keris is a double edged wavy blade dagger. However, what makes a blade a keris is not at its wavy form but the intricate details found at the surface of the blade; details that only exist in a blade named ‘keris’. There is always adventure and nobility in a keris. Because of its substantial significance to the Malay world, keris is always highly venerated and placed at the uppermost stature.
The names ‘Keris’ originally derived from the word ‘kekeratan’ and ‘aris‘.
Kerat in Malay means something that ‘cut’ and ‘aris’ means peace, slow and harmony. ‘Keris’ is Malay weapon that symbolise the strength of Malay warriors and Malay nobility.
Keris is also closely related to the Malays’ art of self defense ‘Silat’.
The Keris of Muslim Malays differ from the ones from the ones the Hindu Balinese uses. Balinese keris have beautiful carvings of gods and animals on the keris hilt, sheath and sometimes on the blade.
Meanwhile, since Islam forbids such figures and carving of gods and animals, Muslim Malay keris are usually plain without any carvings or have carvings of Koranic verses on the hilt,sheath and cover.
Despite the differences, both Malay/Balinese cultures believes that the Keris could summon magic.
History of Alfa Romeo
16 years ago
Very nice explanation,...
Im sure that Malay and Javanese both have very similar Culture, specialy in Keris.
i didnt knew, that names of Keris parts, realy
the same like in Javanese.
its very interesting...
i found Keris parts Names from the picture above as follow:
"Sor Soran" -> bagian bawah ( ngisor)
Gulo Milir
Atirah-tirah
Kruwingan
Poyuhan
"Pundhak Sategal" -> pundak (shoulder)
Gandhu
Tikel Alis
"Jenggot" -> jenggot (bear)
"Kembang Kacang" -> peanut flower
Jalen
Gandhik
"Lambe Gajah" -> elephant lip
Pejetan
Ganja
Pesi
"Bawang Sebungkul" -> sebungkul onion
"Ada-ada" -> odho odho ( sodho ) stick
Gusen
Gulo milir
"Janur" -> also name for young coconut leaves
"Sogokan mburi" rear sogokan (rear stiff stick)
"Sogokan ngarep" front sogokan (front stiff stick)
Wadidang
Sraweyan
Ron Dha nunut
Greneng
Thingil
Ri Pandhan
Kanyut
"Buntut Mimi" -> mimi tail
"Buntut Urang" -> shrimp tail
Gendhok
"Sirah Cecak" -> head of house lizard
"Gulu Meled" -> meled Neck
"Omah Omahan" -> Housing
all the names with " " is common javanese language... and the rest i dont know exactly, maybe it seem like in high level Javanese (kromo inggil)...
the people from central Java and a "dalang" especially will understand those Names very well...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kris
:)