"Buginees 'Executioners' Keris" for comment

A. G. Maisey · 17th October 2012, 09:57 PM

I've just read an interesting account of Balinese execution in 1633. The Dutch Chief Merchant Jan Oosterwijk witnessed the execution by keris of 22 of the queen's women followers on the occasion of the death of the king, of course these women followers were following their queen who followed her husband. Widows, concubines, servants, other followers routinely followed their lord in death.
In Bali women of royal blood would often jump into the flames without the boon of a keris into the chest beforehand, but the servants and concubines more usually took the keris to the chest first, the more resolute would often thrust it into their own chest.
What Jan Oosterwick describes is this:-

"--- were divested of all their garments , except their sashes; four of the men seizing the victim, two by the arms, which they held extended, two by the feet, the victim standing, the fifth prepared himself for the execution, the whole being done without covering the eyes.
Some of the most courageous demanded the poignard themselves, which they received in the right hand, passing it to the left, after respectfully kissing the weapon. They wounded their right arms, sucked the blood which flowed from the wound, and stained their lips with it, making with the point of the finger a bloody mark on the forehead. Then returning the dagger to their executioners, they received a first stab between the false ribs, and a second, from the same side under the shoulder blade, the weapon being thrust up to the hilt in a slanting direction, towards the heart---"

It is only when we look more closely at the societies where the keris originated that we begin to understand just how closely it was tied to religious practice in its nature and traditional use. When it moved away from its roots in early Jawa, and then in Javanised Bali, it became primarily a weapon with some imperfectly understood social associations, in the other societies which adopted it. In its original context there was no doubt in respect of the sacred nature of the keris.

David · 18th October 2012, 01:37 AM

Wow...very interesting information Alan...

A. G. Maisey · 18th October 2012, 11:19 PM

Further to execution by keris.

In the Ying-yai Sheng-lan, Ma Huan gives a description of the summary execution of thieves in 15th century Jawa. They were stabbed with the keris between the floating ribs and in the small of the back.

The long keris down past the collar-bone is very colourful, and undoubtedly did occur, but in Jawa and Bali a good old-fashioned shiv into the chest seems to have been a lot more popular.

David · 19th October 2012, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Further to execution by keris.

In the Ying-yai Sheng-lan, Ma Huan gives a description of the summary execution of thieves in 15th century Jawa. They were stabbed with the keris between the floating ribs and in the small of the back.

The long keris down past the collar-bone is very colourful, and undoubtedly did occur, but in Jawa and Bali a good old-fashioned shiv into the chest seems to have been a lot more popular.

Alan, do you know where the panjang originated? I think the majority of this type of keris i've seen are Sumatran. I believe that i recall you mentioning having a Javanese version of this form, but is it possible that this longer blade form originated in Sumatera? Is it possible that the collar bone method might be more common in there than in Jawa?

A. G. Maisey · 19th October 2012, 12:32 AM

David, I do not know, as in know for a fact with evidence to back an argument, however, most examples of the long keris form that I have seen have been attributable to Sumatera, some possibly to the Peninsula.

I bought my first Javanese one maybe 40 years ago, and that had a very old, flimsy blade in it. Since then I've acquired other Javanese ones that look like 19th or early 20th century ones, and my impression is that they were probably a fad, because they do not fulfil any social function that I know of, in Jawa.

I also have now, and have had in the past, a number of long keris that are not Javanese and can be attributed to the Peninsula or Sumatera. I think it is probably beyond question that they were originated by Malay nobles.

I've heard or read various theories for their existence, from the execution one to imitation of Portugese rapiers. My personal opinion is that they were a symbol of authority or rank.

However, as you know, I'm not very strong on things that fall outside the core culture. The minor keris cultures are a field of study unto themselves.

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17th October 2012, 09:57 PM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,019	I've just read an interesting account of Balinese execution in 1633. The Dutch Chief Merchant Jan Oosterwijk witnessed the execution by keris of 22 of the queen's women followers on the occasion of the death of the king, of course these women followers were following their queen who followed her husband. Widows, concubines, servants, other followers routinely followed their lord in death. In Bali women of royal blood would often jump into the flames without the boon of a keris into the chest beforehand, but the servants and concubines more usually took the keris to the chest first, the more resolute would often thrust it into their own chest. What Jan Oosterwick describes is this:- "--- were divested of all their garments , except their sashes; four of the men seizing the victim, two by the arms, which they held extended, two by the feet, the victim standing, the fifth prepared himself for the execution, the whole being done without covering the eyes. Some of the most courageous demanded the poignard themselves, which they received in the right hand, passing it to the left, after respectfully kissing the weapon. They wounded their right arms, sucked the blood which flowed from the wound, and stained their lips with it, making with the point of the finger a bloody mark on the forehead. Then returning the dagger to their executioners, they received a first stab between the false ribs, and a second, from the same side under the shoulder blade, the weapon being thrust up to the hilt in a slanting direction, towards the heart---" It is only when we look more closely at the societies where the keris originated that we begin to understand just how closely it was tied to religious practice in its nature and traditional use. When it moved away from its roots in early Jawa, and then in Javanised Bali, it became primarily a weapon with some imperfectly understood social associations, in the other societies which adopted it. In its original context there was no doubt in respect of the sacred nature of the keris.

18th October 2012, 01:37 AM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,220	Wow...very interesting information Alan...

18th October 2012, 11:19 PM	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,019	Further to execution by keris. In the Ying-yai Sheng-lan, Ma Huan gives a description of the summary execution of thieves in 15th century Jawa. They were stabbed with the keris between the floating ribs and in the small of the back. The long keris down past the collar-bone is very colourful, and undoubtedly did occur, but in Jawa and Bali a good old-fashioned shiv into the chest seems to have been a lot more popular.

19th October 2012, 12:32 AM	#5
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,019	David, I do not know, as in know for a fact with evidence to back an argument, however, most examples of the long keris form that I have seen have been attributable to Sumatera, some possibly to the Peninsula. I bought my first Javanese one maybe 40 years ago, and that had a very old, flimsy blade in it. Since then I've acquired other Javanese ones that look like 19th or early 20th century ones, and my impression is that they were probably a fad, because they do not fulfil any social function that I know of, in Jawa. I also have now, and have had in the past, a number of long keris that are not Javanese and can be attributed to the Peninsula or Sumatera. I think it is probably beyond question that they were originated by Malay nobles. I've heard or read various theories for their existence, from the execution one to imitation of Portugese rapiers. My personal opinion is that they were a symbol of authority or rank. However, as you know, I'm not very strong on things that fall outside the core culture. The minor keris cultures are a field of study unto themselves.