Mandau Sanaman Mantikei mix with Djangkarang

[kai]

Hello, welcome to the forum!

I am originally Dayak from Central Kalimantan (Dayak Ngaju).

That's exciting to have someone from an originating culture here!

My great grandfather used to be known as blacksmith of Mandau, yet, none of his descendants now inherit his skills.

Are there possibly any other traditional bladesmiths that you could contact and who might pass on info before it goes extinct?

In central Kalimantan, the famous materials of Mandau only come from 2 kinds of stone:

If you could obtain samples and pics of these 2 as well as other ores utilized for making iron/steel and forging mandau that would be terrific!

Is one of these sources "iron sand" from rivers?

According to my grandfather story, back in times, when blacksmith wanted to forge Mandau, he will sing ‘karungut’ – a traditional song from Dayak Ngaju.

Any chance to get a translation of this song?


Sorry for so many questions/requests but I am sure the specialized mandau collectors will be thrilled to have you on our forum!

Let us know if we can help your quest with pics from our pieces or other other info.

Regards,
Kai

[Cakszz]

Hello, welcome to the forum!

Yes thanks

That's exciting to have someone from an originating culture here!

I thought mostly dayak ini this forum..

Are there possibly any other traditional bladesmiths that you could contact and who might pass on info before it goes extinct?

Yes there ara some.. that live in the upriver in Katingan and Kahayan.. and mostly good mandau come from this area..

If you could obtain samples and pics of these 2 as well as other ores utilized for making iron/steel and forging mandau that would be terrific!

Is one of these sources "iron sand" from rivers?

I have the pic of raw mantikei and the mandau of mantikei.. but I need to ask the owner 1st whether he allow me to share it or not.. you will see how it bent by only rub it with "daun sirih"

Any chance to get a translation of this song?

No... i dont.. they sing not in normal dayak language.. but "bahasa sangeng/ bahasa sangiang/ bahasa dewa" its kind of language that only can be understand by the basir (dayak priest).. in Kaharingan religion (original religion of Dayak).. in every ritual "balian" they will sing or pray in this language.. I can understand some words.. but not all.. if you like to see the ritual, come to central borneo if there is Tiwah ritual.. Tiwah is such a burrial ritual..

Sorry for so many questions/requests but I am sure the specialized mandau collectors will be thrilled to have you on our forum!

Let us know if we can help your quest with pics from our pieces or other other info.

Regards,
Kai

hehe yes its oke...

[Cakszz]

I have the the pic of raw mantikei

IMG_3098.JPG

This mantikei is beeing cooked
IMG_3099.JPG

This is Mantikei mandau:
IMG_3100.JPG

This mandau was bent only by rubing it with "daun sirih" - betel
kd.jpg

[Battara]

Welcome to our little forum. Glad we could be of some help to you, and hopefully you will be willing to add to our knowledge here.

[Cakszz]

why my reply is not appear? is that taking long time or need admin approval?

[VVV]

Welcome to the forum Cakszz,

I have never seen the raw mantikei material before, thanks for sharing.
Is daun sirih (betel leaf) also used during the forging process of the mandau mantikei?

Michael

[David]

Welcome to the forum Cakszz. This is all very interesting, but would you be able to explain why someone would want to bend a blade like this in the first place? I don't see the purpose of the exercise as it would seem to render the blade useless.

[Cakszz]

Originally Posted by David

Welcome to the forum Cakszz. This is all very interesting, but would you be able to explain why someone would want to bend a blade like this in the first place? I don't see the purpose of the exercise as it would seem to render the blade useless.

Its the typical of mantikei, bentable yet it solid, strong and sharp.. But this kind of weapon is not good to cut soft material such banana trees it only good to cut hard material such bones or nails that why this typical mandau is onky use for war or headhunting...

For working we call it pisau ambang.. Looks like mandau but its different.. From material, tatahan... So some people would be wrong to identify mandau or ambang...

[David]

Originally Posted by Cakszz

Its the typical of mantikei, bentable yet it solid, strong and sharp.. But this kind of weapon is not good to cut soft material such banana trees it only good to cut hard material such bones or nails that why this typical mandau is onky use for war or headhunting...

For working we call it pisau ambang.. Looks like mandau but its different.. From material, tatahan... So some people would be wrong to identify mandau or ambang...

Sorry to be insistent, but you didn't really answer my question. WHY would you want to rub betel leaves on the blade and bend it like this? What purpose could that serve even if you can bend it back?
You have also written that this type of weapon is not good for cutting soft materials, but is used for headhunting and because it cuts bone well. But there is quite a bit of soft flesh before you get to the bone that the blade must cut through first so this does not really make sense to me.
You have mentioned that the pisau ambang looks like a mandau, but it is different. Could you explain how it is different so that we would be able to recognize those differences. Thanks much!

[Cakszz]

Originally Posted by VVV

Welcome to the forum Cakszz,

I have never seen the raw mantikei material before, thanks for sharing.
Is daun sirih (betel leaf) also used during the forging process of the mandau mantikei?

Michael

Its not used during the forging.. I dont know why if mandau mantikei is rubbed by betel leaf the metal will be soft and can be bent but can be straighten again... Yet it still strong and sharp to cut a nail for example

[kai]

Originally Posted by Cakszz

why my reply is not appear? is that taking long time or need admin approval?

Thanks for all your answers!

Yes, posts of new members need moderators' approval. This is a bit annoying since the discussion moves on while your replies only show up later and may even get overlooked if a thread is really busy. Please bear with us though since this also helps to protect the forum. After a while you'll get freed out off this quarantine mode - maybe contact a mod when you believe you've proven yourself...

Regards,
Kai