The Indonesian Keris Dagger Forged From Metal, Imbued With Spirit
In 2005, the Southeast Asian dagger, keris, was designated as a Masterpiece of Humanity's Oral and Intangible Heritage by UNESCO. The keris is an asymmetrical dagger with a unique blade design made possible by alternating iron and pamor (nickelous iron laminations). A keris has various practical and spiritual purposes. It may be used for display, magical talismans, weapons, a sanctified pusaka (heirloom), auxiliary weapon for court soldiers, accessory for ceremonial dress, indicator of social status, a symbol of heroism, and many more. The Barong Dance of Bali highlights the dangerous and mystical qualities of keris when the villain Rangda tries to magically enchant the prince's soldiers to commit suicide while another magician makes them invincible to sharp objects. In a trance state, the male dancers stab themselves in the chest with their own keris but remain unhurt.
Barong dance performance with kris-wielding dancers and Rangda in Bali. (Tropenmuseum / CC BY-SA 3.0)
History Of Keris
The history of keris is generally traced through the study of carvings and bas-relief panels discovered on the Indonesian island of Java. Some of the most famous depictions of a kris can be found on the bas-reliefs of the Borobudur temple (825 AD) and the Prambanan temple (850 AD) in Central Java. The Humanding inscription (875 AD), Jurungan inscription and Haliwangbang inscription (876 AD), Taji inscription (901 AD), Poh inscription (905 AD), and Rukam inscription (907 AD) all mention the word keris.
