New User Introduction/Question for all

nechesh · 27th October 2005, 01:52 AM

Hi Bamboo and welcome to the forum. Though i live in Cincinnati these days i was born in Brooklyn, so i guess we are homeys bro!

That's a pretty big order of question there. My best suggestion would be for you to spend an aweful long time researching the archives since everything you have asked about has been discussed in depth here for many years. You should research the old site as well as this one. There are some VERY good threads on restoration and care of keris and i would hate to have to start new ones up again when the info is already in the archives. If you then have more specific questions ask away.
Just a word of advice, we are all students here, all at various levels, but students still. The sad truth is that there are very, very, VERY few people around that understand the full picture about keris, even in Indonesia. So if i were you i would take everything you hear with just a little grain of salt and beware of those who might set themselves up as experts.
I would also suggest that along with studying the keris itself you also study the cultures of Indonesia as well. It is impossible to come to true understanding of anything in a vacuum.

Rick · 27th October 2005, 02:41 AM

In that vein I would suggest Margaret Weiner's book Visible and Invisible Realms ; try a site such as abebooks.com .

nechesh · 27th October 2005, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

In that vein I would suggest Margaret Weiner's book Visible and Invisible Realms ; try a site such as abebooks.com .

YES!

Bamboo · 27th October 2005, 10:54 PM

Thanks very much for all the welcome and also the suggestions. I should have thought of the search function first rather than burdening the forum with more of the same question. As for culture I get some from studying the martial arts, and my teacher has taught me a lot about the daily care and also the spiritual side of the keris. I've done a little research myself on line but never had the opportunity to speak directly with others who are involved with them, I am looking very forward to it.
Also, hello to the former Brooklynite. It's always good to meet somebody else from NYC. Here it seems like all I meet are people from other places. The born and raised New Yorker is a rare thing.

27th October 2005, 02:41 AM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	Welcome Bamboo In that vein I would suggest Margaret Weiner's book Visible and Invisible Realms ; try a site such as abebooks.com .

27th October 2005, 10:54 PM	#4
Bamboo Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 2	Thanks for the warm welcome! Thanks very much for all the welcome and also the suggestions. I should have thought of the search function first rather than burdening the forum with more of the same question. As for culture I get some from studying the martial arts, and my teacher has taught me a lot about the daily care and also the spiritual side of the keris. I've done a little research myself on line but never had the opportunity to speak directly with others who are involved with them, I am looking very forward to it. Also, hello to the former Brooklynite. It's always good to meet somebody else from NYC. Here it seems like all I meet are people from other places. The born and raised New Yorker is a rare thing.

27th October 2005, 01:52 AM	#1
nechesh Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 940	Hi Bamboo and welcome to the forum. Though i live in Cincinnati these days i was born in Brooklyn, so i guess we are homeys bro! That's a pretty big order of question there. My best suggestion would be for you to spend an aweful long time researching the archives since everything you have asked about has been discussed in depth here for many years. You should research the old site as well as this one. There are some VERY good threads on restoration and care of keris and i would hate to have to start new ones up again when the info is already in the archives. If you then have more specific questions ask away. Just a word of advice, we are all students here, all at various levels, but students still. The sad truth is that there are very, very, VERY few people around that understand the full picture about keris, even in Indonesia. So if i were you i would take everything you hear with just a little grain of salt and beware of those who might set themselves up as experts. I would also suggest that along with studying the keris itself you also study the cultures of Indonesia as well. It is impossible to come to true understanding of anything in a vacuum.