Keris : javanese martial art weapon part 1

Keris is a typical Indonesian stabbing weapons. Based on ancient documents, a dagger in the initial form has been used since the 9th century. Strong likelihood that the dagger has been used before this period. Kebudyaan Indonesian Minister Jero Wacik has brought the keris to UNESCO and requested assurance that this is the cultural heritage of Indonesia.


The use of the keris itself scattered in clumps community Malays. At the present time, a dagger commonly known in the area of Indonesia (especially in the areas of Java, Madura, Bali / Lombok, Sumatra, part of Borneo, as well as some of Sulawesi), Malaysia, Brunei, Thailand and the Philippines (particularly in the Mindanao region). In Mindanao, the form of weapon which is also called the keris is not a lot of similarities though also a stabbing weapon.

Keris has a variety of forms, for example, there are winding blade (always an odd they are many) and some are straight bladed. Javanese people assume different forms have different effects esoteri.

Besides being used as a weapon, a dagger is also often considered to have supernatural powers. These weapons are often cited in a variety of traditional legends, like the keris Mpu Gandring in legend of Ken Arok and Ken Dedes.

Procedures for the use of different dagger in their respective regions. In areas such as Javanese and Sundanese, a dagger is placed in the rear waist peacetime but is placed in front on the war. Meanwhile, in Sumatra, Borneo, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines, a dagger is placed in front.

In addition to a dagger stabbing weapons, there are a number of others in the archipelago, such as rencong from Aceh, badik from Sulawesi and West Java cleaver. Keris distinguished from other stabbing weapons primarily from the blade. Keris blade is not made from a cast in a single metal but a mixture of various metal layers. Due to this manufacturing technique, a dagger has a specific form of prestige on the blade.
Parts of Keris
Some terms in this section is taken from the Javanese tradition, simply because the available references.

Some experts classify aji tosan stabbing dagger as a weapon, so the main part of a keris is wilah (bar) or its lay language is like a blade. But since the dagger has other completeness, ie warangka (sarong) and part or carved dagger handles, then the unity of all its equipment is called a keris.

Keris dagger handles or upstream

Handbook keris (Javanese: diversity) is a variety of motives, for there are Balinese keris resembles gods, statues pedande, raksaka statues, sculptures of dancers, ascetic, forest, and there are carved with gold and precious stones kinatah.

Keris Handbook describes Sulawesi sea birds. It was as a symbol of some public profession of Sulawesi which is a sailor, while the bird is a symbol of world salvation. Like a bird's head motif is also used in the keris Riau Linga, and for other areas as aji tosan development center such as Aceh, Bangkinang (Riau), Palembang, Sambas, Kutai, Bugis, Luwu, Java, Madura and Sulu, has carved keris and a different symbol. In addition, the materials used were derived from a variety of materials such as ivory, bone, metals, and most are wood.

To handle the keris Javanese, generally consist of wingking sirah (head back), jiling, cigir, superficial, bathuk (head front), weteng and cauliflower.
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