Balatos -- swords with balls

Bill M · 8th September 2006, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANDOO

VERY NICE SWORDS BILL!!
IT LOOKS LIKE THERE ARE NOT TOO MANY BOARS TUSKS MISSING PERHAPS JUST PUTTING THOSE THAT ARE THERE BACK IN PLACE AND PERHAPS TIGHTENING THEM DOWN A BIT MIGHT COME CLOSE TO FIXING IT. IT LOOKS LIKE SOMEONE OPENED IT UP TO TAKE OUT THE MEDICINE PACKET IN THE CENTER BEFORE SELLING IT. WHAT SORT OF RELIGION OR BELIEFS DO THEY HAVE ON NIAS IT CAN'T BE ISLAM AS IT WOULD SURLY FORBID HAVEING ANYTHING TO DO WITH PIGS.

Indonesian Islamic religion is very different from the middle east, especially Iraq and Iran. It is a thin veneer over the old animistic culture.

Islam is practiced and its laws enforced very differently in different cultures. The middle east version seems the most restrictive and severe,but, as is usual with religion, each culture feels its version is the correct one.

Can you imagine the Javanese with their emphasis on magic, offerings to various entities, existing in Iraq?

katana · 8th September 2006, 03:10 PM

What a fantastic collection......I think the talisman additions to ethnographic weapons of many cultures is truly facinating.
I wonder whether talisman from your defeated foe would be 'transfered' to the 'victor's' weapon..... to gain his 'magic' ?

utami · 21st September 2006, 06:49 AM

Balatos is my favourite indonesia weapon, so pretty and yet so sharp

well bill, you have a treasure and valuable collection.

to vandoo and other, most nias is cristian. the first missionarist in nias around 1860, and in 1890 more than 700 family became cristian. and now days some people in nias is cristian and some other is islam.

i've been searching for balato maker, since last year but can't found one

David · 21st September 2006, 07:30 PM

Wow, beautiful sword! I especially love the intricately carved hilt on this one.

If it were me Bill, i would take Barry's advice, restore what's there, but don't add to it.
Great photo. I really dig those crazy battle vests they wear.

Dajak · 21st September 2006, 08:16 PM

Hi they look nice but how old you think these are

utami · 29th September 2006, 02:35 AM

Bill you have 4 balato's, Nice collection

i do agree with david and Barry's advice, " restore what's there, but don't add to it." Your the current balato already a piece of beauty

imho, seem to me the pieces is early 19th

Cyclura99 · 4th October 2006, 10:02 AM

NIAS Swords are NOT OLD as in 19th c ... Not even close .....

Cy

4th October 2006, 10:02 AM	#7
Cyclura99 Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 15	Balatos NIAS Swords are NOT OLD as in 19th c ... Not even close ..... Cy

8th September 2006, 03:10 PM	#2
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	What a fantastic collection......I think the talisman additions to ethnographic weapons of many cultures is truly facinating. I wonder whether talisman from your defeated foe would be 'transfered' to the 'victor's' weapon..... to gain his 'magic' ?

21st September 2006, 06:49 AM	#3
utami Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Java, Indonesia Posts: 49	Balatos is my favourite indonesia weapon, so pretty and yet so sharp well bill, you have a treasure and valuable collection. to vandoo and other, most nias is cristian. the first missionarist in nias around 1860, and in 1890 more than 700 family became cristian. and now days some people in nias is cristian and some other is islam. i've been searching for balato maker, since last year but can't found one

21st September 2006, 07:30 PM	#4
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,250	Wow, beautiful sword! I especially love the intricately carved hilt on this one. If it were me Bill, i would take Barry's advice, restore what's there, but don't add to it. Great photo. I really dig those crazy battle vests they wear.

21st September 2006, 08:16 PM	#5
Dajak Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 951	Hi they look nice but how old you think these are

29th September 2006, 02:35 AM	#6
utami Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Java, Indonesia Posts: 49	Bill you have 4 balato's, Nice collection i do agree with david and Barry's advice, " restore what's there, but don't add to it." Your the current balato already a piece of beauty imho, seem to me the pieces is early 19th