Centipede Aceh

[Kubur]

Thanks Jean Baptiste

I agree centipedes have magical powers, they give strenght and protection.

Here some examples of shield and keris (from this forum) with centipedes on it.

IMO the wavy blade of the keris are representation of centipedes.


And the steel pattern on the blades represent the legs and the head of the centipede is a the forte of the blade.

I need keris specialists expertise...

Keris are stingy weapons, it would be the meaning.

I will be grateful if the admin can move back this thread to weapons...

[kai]

Thanks for the examples, Kubur!

I'm afraid that the current selection is not really convincing to me: The keris are very recent pieces (or recently modified from old blades); these are clearly not traditional and, thus, only representative of the current era approach of a limited sector of society on Java to regard keris as art for art's sake only (i.e. not restricted by any traditional constraints).

These brass "Aceh" bucklers were produced in huge numbers for the late-colonial collector's market (for colonial Dutch and other visitors); the addition of a snake and a centipede is certainly unusual and not representative of any older pieces I remember - I'm pretty sure that this piece isn't from a workshop run by Acehnese craftsmen.

There is no doubt that centipedes have been widely regarded as special (strong and dangerous) animals like elephants, crocodiles, snakes, tigers, etc. As poisonous animals, they will also have found a place in rituals as well as parlor tricks.

Regards,
Kai

[kronckew]

I've seen videos of Filipino smiths basting red-hot blades just before quenching with crushed spiders and centipedes t 'poison' the blade for extra lethality. Don't think any actual poison is left after tho. Maybe just a bit of the spirit of the angry animal enters the blade tho.

[Kubur]

I agree for the two keris.

And do you explain the pamor Kelabang Sayuta or Kelabang Sewu?
The centipede pamor

[Battara]

I'll see if this can be sent back over to the Ethnographic side.

[Battara]

Thank you Fernando!

[josh stout]

The "five deadly venoms" isn't just a classic kung-fu film. The centipede, snake, lizard, scorpion and toad are the classic deadly animals of Chinese folklore. Indonesian mythology holds similar ideas about venomous animals, including a widespread belief in poisonous lizards (not so ridiculous considering the Komodo dragon, a toxic Indonesian lizard with lots of untested relatives.).

The keris is clearly a snake (or more properly, a regal naga), and its use would be like a striking snake, rather than a slicing or chopping technique. It is very interesting though, to see someone has switched in another of the deadly animals, even if it is a recent depiction.

I am posting a related obat (medicine) bottle from Sumatra, perhaps Aceh. It has five deadly animals that are a little different than the Chinese versions. This obat bottle has a Snake, lizard, spider (replacing toad), and a combination centipede/scorpion. Both aspects are clear, from the pincers of the scorpion, to the sinuous body of the centipede with the characteristic forked tip. The snake is represented by carved bands of scales, with the bands in the form of straps. The venoms can be represented in part, and combined, to multiply the effect. The combined power of the venoms gives the medicine its power, or from another point of view, represents the power of the medicine within. At the top of the bottle is a stopper in the form of a crouched figure similar to a keris hilt. This is an obvious reference to a sick figure being cured by the medicine in the bottle, but it is also a figure containing the magic of the deadly venoms. In my opinion, the handle of the keris is similarly controlling a venomous snake, which, can then be seen as ritualistically equivalent to a centipede.

I wouldn't be surprised to someday see a lizard keris.

[Kubur]

Originally Posted by Battara

Thank you Fernando!

I agree with Battara and I join him to thanks Fernando.