Gayo? sikin panjang with talismans in etched raised relief

Loedjoe · 23rd April 2014, 10:29 AM

Thank you very much, Kai, for your kind words, and very helpful reply to my queries - much appreciated.

VANDOO · 23rd April 2014, 04:32 PM

A VERY INTERESTING SWORD. I HAVE NOT SEEN THESE SYMBOLS ON A PANJANG BEFORE. THESE TAILSMANIC SYMBOLS ARE SOMETIMES SEEN ON BATAK AND PHILIPPINE ITEMS. ON YOUR SWORD I ASSUME THE INTENT IS TO SOMEHOW GIVE THE BLADE THE MAGICAL POWER TO STING AND POISON THE ENEMY WHEN HE IS STRUCK.
THESE SYMBOLS ARE SOMETIMES SEEN IN CHINA AND OTHER AREAS AS PROTECTIVE (THEY WILL PROTECT THE BEARER FROM THE STINGS AND BITES OF THESE POSINOUS CRITTERS). SOMETIMES SEEN ON BABY CARRIERS OR BLANKETS AND CLOTHING FOR EXAMPLE.

Maurice · 14th February 2015, 08:42 PM

Today I have seen a Batak podang, very old balde and etched on the same way as yours Tim!
Not the same motifs, but some text.

Unfortunately I don't have a photo of it.

Oliver Pinchot · 15th February 2015, 09:41 PM

The Arabic inscription on the bolster reads, THERE IS NO GOD BUT ALLAH!
and beneath that, MUHAMMAD.

I will pass along your comments to Anne, Loedjoe.

Loedjoe · 16th February 2015, 09:09 AM

Many thanks Oliver, both for the reading of the inscription, and for passing on my thanks to Anne.

kronckew · 16th February 2015, 02:01 PM

there is a low gold alloy called suasa used in indonesia and other parts of SE asia & the phillipines. discussed HERE on the forum. used frequently in aceh where these sikin come from. it has just enough gold in it to prevent oxidation of the copper/silver part of the alloy, especially if handled and cleaned.

apparently in islamic sections, like aceh, pure gold was too ostentatious for a devout mulslim to adorn himself and his weapons, a true muslim is humble before allah and not vain. suasa however, being low gold content, was acceptable. a belief not held universally, but allowed lower income people to afford gold jewellery and decorated items.

the sikin swords are still made, last contact i had with my supplier in indonesia, he'd found only two smiths still making them, and he'd not heard from them since the tsunami. i hope he has since. i've not heard from him recently either. rebels in the area.

my sikin was made for him by one of the smiths, i managed to talk him out of it at a price that made both of us happy. sadly no suasa or inscriptions, just a razor sharp blade.

p.s. - the dark specks on the blade are reflections of birds overhead)

16th February 2015, 02:01 PM	#6
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,259	there is a low gold alloy called suasa used in indonesia and other parts of SE asia & the phillipines. discussed HERE on the forum. used frequently in aceh where these sikin come from. it has just enough gold in it to prevent oxidation of the copper/silver part of the alloy, especially if handled and cleaned. apparently in islamic sections, like aceh, pure gold was too ostentatious for a devout mulslim to adorn himself and his weapons, a true muslim is humble before allah and not vain. suasa however, being low gold content, was acceptable. a belief not held universally, but allowed lower income people to afford gold jewellery and decorated items. the sikin swords are still made, last contact i had with my supplier in indonesia, he'd found only two smiths still making them, and he'd not heard from them since the tsunami. i hope he has since. i've not heard from him recently either. rebels in the area. my sikin was made for him by one of the smiths, i managed to talk him out of it at a price that made both of us happy. sadly no suasa or inscriptions, just a razor sharp blade. p.s. - the dark specks on the blade are reflections of birds overhead) Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 16th February 2015 at 02:43 PM.

23rd April 2014, 10:29 AM	#1
Loedjoe Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Oxford (UK) Posts: 96	Thank you very much, Kai, for your kind words, and very helpful reply to my queries - much appreciated.

23rd April 2014, 04:32 PM	#2
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	A VERY INTERESTING SWORD. I HAVE NOT SEEN THESE SYMBOLS ON A PANJANG BEFORE. THESE TAILSMANIC SYMBOLS ARE SOMETIMES SEEN ON BATAK AND PHILIPPINE ITEMS. ON YOUR SWORD I ASSUME THE INTENT IS TO SOMEHOW GIVE THE BLADE THE MAGICAL POWER TO STING AND POISON THE ENEMY WHEN HE IS STRUCK. THESE SYMBOLS ARE SOMETIMES SEEN IN CHINA AND OTHER AREAS AS PROTECTIVE (THEY WILL PROTECT THE BEARER FROM THE STINGS AND BITES OF THESE POSINOUS CRITTERS). SOMETIMES SEEN ON BABY CARRIERS OR BLANKETS AND CLOTHING FOR EXAMPLE.

14th February 2015, 08:42 PM	#3
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,462	Today I have seen a Batak podang, very old balde and etched on the same way as yours Tim! Not the same motifs, but some text. Unfortunately I don't have a photo of it.

15th February 2015, 09:41 PM	#4
Oliver Pinchot Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 470	The Arabic inscription on the bolster reads, THERE IS NO GOD BUT ALLAH! and beneath that, MUHAMMAD. I will pass along your comments to Anne, Loedjoe.

16th February 2015, 09:09 AM	#5
Loedjoe Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Oxford (UK) Posts: 96	Many thanks Oliver, both for the reading of the inscription, and for passing on my thanks to Anne.