KERIS is a traditional Indonesian weapon that in the development of the keris culture follows a historical journey and now this culture has spread to other countries. In addition to Indonesia, the country that currently has this culture is Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Thailand and In Java, the keris are classified as one of the branches of a tosan culture.
In addition, since the culture of tosan aji has begun and the island of Java, many of the courts are also used in other areas. On the island of Java, it is also called suspicious, ambiguous, or vocal. On the island of Bali, the weapon is called shrinkage or wrinkles. In other areas, other titles include tappi, selle, gayang, kres, kris or karieh. This culture has been known to the West at least since the 17th century. The oldest note about the presence of a keris in England states that in 1637, was owned by a collector.
While the Danish Museum collects keris from 1647. The term keris, other than its other name, is used by all ethnic groups in Indonesia. The term is even used by Brunei and Malaysia, but some Westerners are still in doubt to choose the use of the word and the spell of kris or kris or kriss. Edward Frey, author of The Kris book, Mystic Weapon of the Malay World in his book introducing his book, finds no reason to replace the "kris" spelling, which has been used for over 150 years by researchers (West). Also some examples of Western writers who use the term keris, including Raffles who use the term kris since 1817; Wallace since 1869; McNair since 1882, Groneman since 1910, and a series of Western writers and researchers from Western writers who use the term kriss, also exists, among them Forbes (1885); Huyser (1918); and Buttin (1933). While still using the term "keris", among them are Wolley, Hill, Gardner, and Garret & Bronwen Solyom.
is a result of wrought art, whose ingredients should consist of at least two types of metal, but the good is made of three types of metal, namely iron, pretreatment, and steel. Thus, an object made by means of a printed or printed material is not classified as a kris, though it is the exact shape. In addition, it should always be forward, subject. An upright and straight thing like be-passing, can not be considered a dagger.
The origin of the dagger
Tosan aji and other traditional weapons became a treasure of Indonesian culture, of course after our ancestors knew iron. Various stone temples built in the days before the 10th century proved that the Indonesian people at that time had known good iron equipment, so they could create a high value carving artwork. But if then Indonesian people know the culture of keris as we know now, new experts can grope.
The most ancient relief of iron equipment is found in stone inscriptions found in Dakuwu Village, in Grabag, Magelang, Central Java. Seeing the form of tuhsannya, estimated the inscription was made around AD 500 AD. The letters are used, the letter Pallawa. The language used is Sanskrit. The inscription mentions the existence of a clean and clear spring. On the writing of the inscription there are some pictures, among them: tricula, ax, crescent, and dagger or knife that are very similar to the made of Nyi Sombro, a female empress from Pajajaran era. There are also pitches, trumpets, and lotus flowers. Kendi, in ancient Javanese philosophy is the emblem of science, the trumpet symbolizes immortality, while the lotus flower symbolizes harmony with nature.
There are already many cultural experts discussing the history of the existence and development of aji. G.B. GARDNER in 1936 had theorized that the keris was the development of the shape of a prehistoric staple weapon, ie the tail bone or sting pan removed from the base, then wrapped in a cloth on the stalk. That way the weapon can be pulled and taken. Then be a dangerous weapon, according to the size of that time. Meanwhile, GRIFFITH WILKENS in 1937 argued that the culture had just emerged in the 14th and 15th centuries.
Pusaka Keris Singo Pandawa Luk 5
Asli Sepuh Mataram 8
He said the shape of the kris is the growth of the spear that is widely used by nations inhabiting islands between Asia and Australia. From the spear's eyes then there arises a short type of weapon or a stabbed weapon, which is later known as the keris. Another reason, the spear or spear that the long stalks are not easy to carry anywhere, is difficult to infiltrate into the forest. Because at that time it was not easy for people to get iron material, the spear's eyes were removed and the stalk became a weapon. Another opinion A.J. BARNET KEMPERS.