Sulawesi Armor

David · 1st December 2012, 02:44 PM

Here are references to these Toraja war vest from an internet site quoting the books mentioned:
* Bangs & Kallen 1988 p153
"Each time another family was ready to make its offerings, a new parade was organized to follow the same route through town. The parade was led by a small group of dancing warriors, each with an elaborate headdress symbolic of buffalo horns on his head."

* Power and Gold 1988 p132
"Buffalo horns were also important components of Sa'dan 'war suits' baju pa'barani). At one level these costumes provided soldiers with actual armor (the vest is reinforced with shell disks). At another, the ensemble afforded the warrior a number of magical amulets for repelling the mystical threats of enemy soldiers and spellcasters: the hat is topped with buffalo horns, symbolizing luck and success; the boar-tusk necklace plays on themes of fierceness; and the shells on the jacket have magical protective qualities."
http://www.forensicfashion.com/1907S...jaWarrior.html

The Toraja people have many public rituals and processions. I wonder if in later years these became more ritual costume than items built to withstand real combat.

VANDOO · 1st December 2012, 04:22 PM

I HAVE SEEN QUITE A FEW OF THESE ON EBAY MOSTLY FROM INDONESIA,AND BORNEO. I SUSPECT MOST WERE RECENT ITEMS EITHER FOR TOURISTS OR PERHAPS CEREMONY IN SOME CASES. THEY ARE USED FOR PARADES AND SHOWS FOR TOURISTS WHERE TOURISTS ARE AVAILABLE. HERE ARE SEVERAL EXAMPLES AS WELL AS TORAJA WARRIORS IN FULL REGALIA. BONE, SHELL, HORN AND SEA BEANS ARE USED AS ARMOR PLATES.
THE EXAMPLE WITH WELL CARVED FIGURES ON EACH PLATE WAS FROM BORNEO AND I HAVE SEEN A DAYAK BABY CARRIER WITH THE SAME CARVED PLATES AS WELL. NOTE THE USE OF BUFFALOW TEETH FOR DECORATION ON ONE AND THE SPIKEY COLLAR ON THE SET ON THE MANEQUIN.

David · 1st December 2012, 04:49 PM

Thanks Barry. I knew you had posted one of these before. Here is one more just for the collection...

Battara · 1st December 2012, 09:03 PM

Even if for parade or ceremonial usage, the carvings on some of these are superior!

asomotif · 2nd December 2012, 11:27 PM

Once more RMV collection.

A picture of Toradja armour made in 1911.

1st December 2012, 04:22 PM	#2
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	I HAVE SEEN QUITE A FEW OF THESE ON EBAY MOSTLY FROM INDONESIA,AND BORNEO. I SUSPECT MOST WERE RECENT ITEMS EITHER FOR TOURISTS OR PERHAPS CEREMONY IN SOME CASES. THEY ARE USED FOR PARADES AND SHOWS FOR TOURISTS WHERE TOURISTS ARE AVAILABLE. HERE ARE SEVERAL EXAMPLES AS WELL AS TORAJA WARRIORS IN FULL REGALIA. BONE, SHELL, HORN AND SEA BEANS ARE USED AS ARMOR PLATES. THE EXAMPLE WITH WELL CARVED FIGURES ON EACH PLATE WAS FROM BORNEO AND I HAVE SEEN A DAYAK BABY CARRIER WITH THE SAME CARVED PLATES AS WELL. NOTE THE USE OF BUFFALOW TEETH FOR DECORATION ON ONE AND THE SPIKEY COLLAR ON THE SET ON THE MANEQUIN. Attached Images Last edited by VANDOO; 1st December 2012 at 04:44 PM.

1st December 2012, 04:49 PM	#3
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,250	Thanks Barry. I knew you had posted one of these before. Here is one more just for the collection... Attached Images

2nd December 2012, 11:27 PM	#5
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,237	Once more RMV collection. A picture of Toradja armour made in 1911. Attached Images

1st December 2012, 02:44 PM	#1
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,250	Here are references to these Toraja war vest from an internet site quoting the books mentioned: * Bangs & Kallen 1988 p153 "Each time another family was ready to make its offerings, a new parade was organized to follow the same route through town. The parade was led by a small group of dancing warriors, each with an elaborate headdress symbolic of buffalo horns on his head." * Power and Gold 1988 p132 "Buffalo horns were also important components of Sa'dan 'war suits' baju pa'barani). At one level these costumes provided soldiers with actual armor (the vest is reinforced with shell disks). At another, the ensemble afforded the warrior a number of magical amulets for repelling the mystical threats of enemy soldiers and spellcasters: the hat is topped with buffalo horns, symbolizing luck and success; the boar-tusk necklace plays on themes of fierceness; and the shells on the jacket have magical protective qualities." http://www.forensicfashion.com/1907S...jaWarrior.html The Toraja people have many public rituals and processions. I wonder if in later years these became more ritual costume than items built to withstand real combat.

1st December 2012, 09:03 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	Even if for parade or ceremonial usage, the carvings on some of these are superior!