Symbolic and Features of The Keris

The past significance of the kris in the indonesian society is summarized by the following common saying:
The five sacred belongings of a Javanese are his house, his wife, his singing birds, his horse, ans his kris.
Things have drastically changed in modern times Indonesia, and the 3 last items have been respectively replaced by the television, the motorcycle, and the dish antenna!

Some krisses were considered as possessing their own soul. One illustration of the personification granted to the kris was the possibility given to a bridegroom not able to attend his own wedding, to be represented by his kris.
The kris was frequently used - especially in Sumatra - as a ritual object for taking sacred loyalty or obedience oaths to a king or a local governor. The grantee had to pronounce the following sacred words: If I betray, I shall be executed by means of this kris.

The decoration and value of a kris had to be in accordance with the social status or merits of its owner; usually, wearing a gold kris was exclusively limited to the members of the royal family.
The etiquette for handling and unsheathing a kris was very codified, and is still followed nowadays by the experts respecting the kris tradition.

In Java for instance, the ritual for unsheathing a kris was as follows:

-The left hand holds the sheath on the reverse side with the palm placed underneath, the tip of the sheath pointing upwards.
-The right hand holds the hilt, the thumb pressing against the mouth of the sheath and pushing to unsheathe the blade. If the blade is stiff within the sheath, it should not be forced.
-Once the blade is unsheathed, it shall be slowly brought to the forehead as a sign of respect to the soul of the kris.

In Bali, somebody willing to unsheathe a kris should first get the agreement from the owner to do so, and to be protected against the malefice. The ritual for unsheathing a kris is basically similar to the one used in Java, but the blade should not be brought close to the face nor touched for avoiding to be poisoned. After having examined the blade, it should be slowly sheathed with a grateful feeling.

For skeptical individuals, this is a true story narrated by a balinese author.
A Balinese was the owner of a sacred heirloom kris (pusaka), and one of his friends had visited him for examining it. The friend was holding the kris, and he suddenly unsheathed it without having been authorized first, then he declared that the kris was similar to the other krisses he had already seen with few minor exceptions. The kris owner was annoyed at this serious breach of good manners, but he did not comment.

The next day, the friend came back holding his painful right arm and asked to be apologized. The kris owner was surprised, and the friend told him that during the previous night, he felt a strong and persistent pain to his right hand; after having managed to fall asleep, he dreamed of an old man talking to him angrily and saying: How dared you unsheathe my kris? Go back immediately to my grand-son and apologize to him, and ask him some holy water to cure your pain!”. The friend complied with the instruction, and three days later he was cured and visited the kris owner to thank him, but dared not look at the kris.

The Magical Power of Keris

Despite its physical characteristic, keris contain a spiritual mission.

1. The original spiritual power is the wishes of the Empu, the maker. While preparing and making a keris, the Empu, in the holy state, solemnly pray to God Almighty, the keris should contain spiritual wishes as requested by the Empu or the consumer. It depends who is going to use the keris, the mission should be different, for instance, for the kings, begawans (priest), generals, high ranking officials, farmers, traders, fishermen, workers, soldiers, etc. So, it could be easy to understand that a keris which good for king, may be not good for a trader.

2. The Additional and/or Other Spiritual Power of Keris.
The keris could be filled with spiritual beings, unseen by ordinary people, such as a genie, (jin or qodam) in order to protect or to help the keris owner. 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.
3. 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. 

This shown the example of keris Luk 3:

This shown the example of keris Luk 7:

This shown the example of keris Luk 9:

Collection of Museum of Asian Art, University Malaya.

Types of Keris

Koleksi keris dan senjata yang terdapat di Muzium Seni Asia

Keris Panjang Tatah Perak

UM.2010.01

Hulu kaki kuda

 Keris Bahari Maha Lurut

UM.80.139

Hulu tegak Bulat

Sampir berbentuk jalur, bujur bulat 

Sampul/sarung perak corak awan larat repousse

Dibeli daripada En. Ali Basa Toko Yulida, Medan Sumatra.

Dimensi: 50x65cm

 Keris Panjang

UM.86.512

 Keris Berayat Mata Bersurat

UM.76.116

Hulu berbentuk Jawa Deman

Mata tidak Berlok (Sepukal)

Pendongkok Perak

Nik Abd. Rahman Hj. Nik Dir, Kelantan.

Panjang mata: 15 3/4"

Hulu&Sarung: 22 1/2" 

 

Keris Cerita Hulu Jawa Deman

UM.80.144

Diperbuat daripada gading gajah 

Sarung daripada tulang

Minangkabau, Sumatra pada abad ke-20 

Dimensi: 34.3x47cm

 Keris Melaka
Bentuk keris lok 3

UM.09.25

 Keris Tajong Hulu Pekaka

UM.MSA.07.10

Bentuk hidung yang panjang

 Menyerupai paruh burung pekaka 

Berasal dari Patani

Keris Sajen / Majapahit

UM.83.21
Hulu bentuk manusia

Berasal dari Jawa 

 Keris Picit Pekan Pahang

UM.76.56

Hulu berbentuk lembing manusia

Dibeli daripada An. Mohd Ariff B Ismail 

Panjang: 18cm

 Lawi Ayam

UM.79.259

Dibuat oleh En. Ahmad Zabidin Mohd Zam 

Kuala Kangsar, Perak.

Dimensi: 6.5x13cm

Tumbuk Lada Hulu dan Sarung Berukir

UM.80.141

Sarung bersimpul rotan

Dibeli daripada En. Ali Basa Toko Yulida, Medan Sumatra.

Dimensi: 16.5x25cm 

 Badik

UM.79.161

Hulu dan sarung diperbuat daripada kayu temular

Sarung berbentuk lipas

Hiasan garis turis

Dibeli daripada Mohd Daud B. Din, Pendang Kedah.

Panjang: 39cm

Mata: 23.5cm

 Tumbuk Lada Kedah

UM.79.250

Sarung diperbuat daripada kayu hitam

Sampir dan ekar kayu kemuning emas

Hulu kayu kuning

Dibuat oleh En. Ahmad Radzil Mohd Jaafar, Alor Setar Kedah.

Panjang: 32.7cm

Mata: 22.7cm

Sewar 

UM.80.145

Hulu dan sarung gading berukir turisan

Dibeli daripada En. Ali Basa Toko Yulida, Medan Sumatra.

Dimensi: 32x32cm

Pisau Wali Hulu dan Sarung Kayu

UM.79.253

Temular ekor, tanduk kerbau

Hulu berbentuk tapak kuda

Hiasan sisik 

Dibuat oleh Mohd Daud B Din, Pendang Kedah. 

Panjang: 38cm

Mata: 22.8cm

 Hulu dan Sampir Gading

UM.79.17
Pedongkok perak
Bentuk lipas

Tongkat Senjata 

UM.80.151

Tumbuk Lada Indonesia

Hulu kayu turisan perak

Sarung kayu berbalut perak hiasan garis berturis

Dibeli daripada En. Ali Basa Toko Yulida, Medan Sumatra.

28.8x41.5cm

Tumbuk Lada Kedah

UM.79.252

Bahan: Hulu dan sarung kayu temular

Ekar: tulang terusi tulang

Hiasan garis turis

Dibuat oleh En. Mohd Daud B Din, Pendang Kedah.

Mata: 26.5cm

Hulu sarung: 41.5cm

 Hulu bedik / Tumbuk Lada Kelantan

UM.79.10

Diperbuat daripada kayu

Dibeli daripada En. A. Zahari Antik, Kota Bharu Kelantan.

Panjang: 10cm

Lebar: 4.2cm

 Tumbuk Lada Pahang

UM.76.63

Berhulu dan sarung diperbuat daripada kayu

Pendongkok tembaga licin

Dibeli daripada Hj Abdullah Hj Hussin, Pekan Pahang.

Mata: 7 7/8"

Sarung: 10 3/8" 

 Keris Jawa Pamor Bulu ayam

UM.2010.03
Berbentuk cabang seperti lidah ular

 Hulu Keris Jawa Demam

UM.79.8

Dibuat daripada kayu

Dibeli daripada En. A. Zahari Antik, Kota Bharu Kelantan.

Panjang: 10.7cm

Tinggi: 5.4cm

 Keris Sempena

UM.79.249

Hulu berbentuk Jawa Deman 

Bahan: sampir kayu kemuning emas

Pendongkok: Perak celup emas

Sarung: ekar lipas mata keris Bugis lok 7

Dibuat oleh En. Ahmad Radzil Mohd Jaafar, Alor Setar Kedah.

Hulu sarung: 47cm

Keris Tok Chu Patani

UM.09.27
Sampir kemuning batang serunai sena
Panjang bilah 16.5 inci

 Keris Tanjung Hulu Gading Pekaka

Reka bentuk Bima

Hiasan ukiran bunga bayam

Peraksi, Pendongkok Perak

Hulu dan sarung dibuat oleh Tengku Ibrahim B Tengku Wok

Mata oleh Awang Isa, Terengganu

Dimensi: 30x23cm

Keris Sepukal
Besi campuran berpamor
Bahan kayu sena
Panjang bilah 15 inci

UM.86.510 

Keris / Berlok

UM.76.54

Hulu dan sarung kayu

Pendongkok dari tembaga 

Milik En. Ismail B Muhammad, Pekan

Dibeli oleh An. Mohd Ariff B. Ismail

Mata: 14 1/4"

Sarung: 18 1/4"

Collections of Museum of Asian Art, University Malaya.

About Keris And The Others Weapon

History of Museum of Asian Art, University of Malaya

The collection of the Museum of Asian Art has a long history, having been built up over a period of almost 50 years. The first item on record is a bronze Buddha head from Chiengsen period (1400-1550 AD), Thailand, given to the museum by Kun Krassri Nimanamhasminda in 1954. This contribution marked the beginning of the University of Malaya Art Museum at that time based in the university’s campus in Singapore. The Buddha head was thus acquired several years before the University of Malaya campus was established in Kuala Lumpur in 1962. At that time a section of the university library was used to display the artifacts. The museum’s present home was built to accommodate the increasing new acquisition. In Jun 1980, the new building was built in the scenic area between the Faculty of Economics and the Law Faculty (currently occupied by the Business and accounting Faculty). Within its three floors of exhibition space, the museum represents three civilizations; the Indian, The Chinese and the Islamic (Malay culture).

University of Malaya's Museum of Asian Art is an outstanding education-oriented museum. Located in the main campus of the university it aims to promote Asian art among multicultural Malaysians. The Museum holds nearly 7,000 treasures, representing cultures from  throughout Asia, and spanning 4,000 years of Asian history. Featuring 1,500 squares feet of gallery space, the museum showcases the unique material aesthetic, and intellectual achievements of Asian art and culture, including Chinese pottery Hindu statuary, textiles from the Malay archipelago, and sacred masks of Orang Asli communities.

The Malay collection includes crafts products such as basketry, textiles, brass ad silver and wood carving. Some of these artifacts are used as jewelery, household items, weaponry and items in Malay customary practice (adat).
Has a collection of Khmer pottery from 9th-14th century. Outstanding examples of Khmer style pottery such as an elephant spouts, owl bowls asymmetrical egg porcelain. The most important collection of Thai ceramics comes from Ban Chiang Period, as well as Sukhothai and Sawankhalok. A comprehensive collection of keris (daggers)from the Malay world. The cultures of Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines are represented through sculptures, textiles, jewelery, ceramics, and terra-cotta works and so on.

A collection of Indian stone sculpture, from as early as the Sathavahana period, as well as Jain and Buddhist iconography. Temple sculptures, bronze images, miniature painting, and wood carvings reflecting the richness of Indian culture.

Ceramics from as early as the Kashan period which created blue and white porcelain to the 19th century. Islamic bronzes, miniature paintings, tombstones and precious stones for the purpose of making seals.

A range of Chinese ceramics and porcelain that covers almost entire history of the art form in China (3,000 years); represented by tripod pottery, Tzu Chuan wares, artifacts including porcelain from the Song Dynasty till Chiang dynasty (late 19th century) porcelain.

Ceramics originating from the early Karatsu tradition and Imari/Kakiemon period. A group of ceramics called as Temmuku. Most scholars recognize these as artifacts introduced from China, but used by Japanese as part of the tea ceremony in the early 14th century and Museum of Asian Art also has a collection of keris and the other malay and asian weapon.