Bali keris holder use

[Gustav]

Yes, T.J. Bezemer writes (1931), men visiting do place their keris in keris holders.

Another mention of use of keris holders- Court Arts of Indonesia (1990) - "Though spectacular as sculptures and used to flank the seat of honor of the ruler in Bali and Lombok, kris-holders were not designed to hold the most sacred krises, which would be kept in pusaka boxes and brought out only on ceremonial occasions."

This is a picture of offerings to enshrined founders of a Puri. On this ocassion Keris associated with them are placed in holders, flanking their "seat".

[A. G. Maisey]

Puri or Pura Gustav?

That pic is a good find.

[Gustav]

Alan, Puri (palace) indeed.

[A. G. Maisey]

Thanks Gustav, I asked the question because I heard of a pura in Tabanan that has something similar to this staged regularly.

Yes, we normally refer to a Balinese ruler's abode (hardly a palace) as a puri, but in fact it can be applied to the abode of any nobleman.

Ordinary people sometimes use the word jokingly to apply to their own house.

[Gustav]

Alan, I wonder if that is not Puri Anyar Kerambitan.

https://www.nowbali.co.id/puri-anyar...alace-history/

[A. G. Maisey]

No Gustav, it was a pura, supposedly there was a cave under this pura that held a hoard of sacred keris, tombak & other paraphernalia.

I got this story second hand, cannot vouch for any of it, but it was a good story, the teller was a longtime European ex-pat who lives near Ubud.

[Gustav]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Ordinary people sometimes use the word jokingly to apply to their own house.

My home is my Puri!

[A. G. Maisey]

Absolutely!