There are many traditional weapons Indonesian
archipelago which have been used by tribes since the past time.
Two actual uses of those weapons were to hunt and self-defense. Today,
people just use them when they are going to have gardening activities or
entering a forest area. However, there are some who have strong belief to
the magic or mystical value inside of those traditional weapons. It is
due to the previous tribal tradition which involved supernatural power in
the making of the tools.goindonet, go indonesia, complete
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Each ethnic in Indonesia seem having their own special weapon.
Therefore, you will find many traditional weapons Indonesian
archipelago. Here are some of them:
- Rencong (reuncong)
This sharp weapon comes from Aceh with shape like the letter
“L”. It is consider as dagger type with a knife or sword. The
length of rencong blade can be 10 to 50 cm. the dagger is put in the
sheath that is usually made from horn, wood, ivory or sometimes metal
like silver or gold.
- Sumpit (sipet)
It is one of traditional weapons Indonesian
archipelago with origins from Kalimantan. It may have the
function like the weapon used by a sniper since it is known as a secret
weapon to murder the enemy or hunted animal secretly. Sumpit is blown
away using a long chopstick with the shot accuracy is able to reach 200
meters. This weapon itself is made from natural ingredients which are
beneficial to keep the nature unaffected.
- Keris
If you have ever visited Yogyakarta or Central
Java, you can find this type of weapon sold as merchandise. However, many
still consider that keris contains of mystical value. Therefore, people
with the traditional faith like this usually hold a ceremony to bath the
keris at certain dates based on Javanese calendar. Another thing that
makes this weapon unique is its shape, which looks like a snake.
- Badik
It is a typical weapon commonly used by people in Makassar, Mandar and
Bugis. It has short size and is easy to carry.
- Celurit
Originally from Madura, celurit is not only used as one of
traditional weapons Indonesian archipelago. It is even
mostly known as agricultural tool. It is made with the shape resembling a
crescent moon. During the process of making celurit, Madurese may insert
a kind of supernatural creature called khodam into the weapon.
If you travel around the country from Sabang to Merauke, each place
you visit has its own uniqueness and ethnic heritages. Despite of the
mystical value trusted by the local people, the traditional
weapons Indonesian archipelago which are different from one
place to another are worth as commercially valued collections.
