A Keris Bahari (or "Bahari kris") is a long version of a kris dagger mainly used in Sumatra.[1] It is also called Keris panjang (meaning, "Long kris").[2] Keris bahari is dubbed by European people as "Sumatran rapier kris" or "execution kris".[3]

Keris Bahari
Keris bahari of keris alang type.
TypeKris
Place of originIndonesia (Sumatra)
Service history
Used byMalays (ethnic group)
Specifications
Lengthoverall length: approx. 58–66 cm (23–26 in)

Blade typeStraight double edged
Hilt typeWood, ivory
Scabbard/sheathWood

History

edit

Keris bahari evolved from the original kris, which is a dagger. As men fought, they needed a weapon with greater reach, and kris became longer and heavier. Two forms then evolved: The first is rapier kris (keris bahari), and the second is broadsword kris (sundang). Because the blade became longer, the handle had to be straightened to balance it.[1]

Description

edit

The hilt of keris bahari is made of horn, sometimes of silver and fish ivory, usually beautifully carved.[4] The shape of the hilt is straight or slightly curving at the end.[1][5] The sheath tip is usually rounded, but if cased in silver it often has square tip.[6] The blade of keris bahari is long and narrow.[7] Keris bahari is classified to 3 type depending on the length: The longest is called keris panjang, the medium keris alang, and the shortest, keris pendek.[3]

Execution by kris

edit

The execution by kris is called hukuman salang. Salang is synonymous with keris panjang.[8] The executioner made the victim to squat then drove the keris panjang from certain spot inside his collar bone down to the heart.[9]

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c Gardner (1936). p. 8.
  2. ^ Gardner (1936). p. 35.
  3. ^ a b Gardner (1936). p. 37
  4. ^ Gardner (1936). p. 25.
  5. ^ Gardner (1936). p. 31.
  6. ^ Gardner (1936). p. 29.
  7. ^ Gardner (1936). p. 133.
  8. ^ "Arti kata salang - Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia (KBBI) Online". kbbi.web.id. Retrieved 2020-08-29.
  9. ^ Gardner (1936). p. 37.

Further reading

edit
  • Gardner, G. B. (1936). Keris and Other Malay Weapons. Singapore: Progressive Publishing Company.