information about this prabot, please

[Alam Shah]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

In respect of Javanese keris we normally use the word "prabot" to refer to the things that make a keris complete, such as the warangka, jejeran, mendhak, etc.

Some people do use the word "prabot" to refer to the features of a blade, but I have never met one of these people, and everybody I know uses the word "ricikan" to refer to the features of a keris blade.

The word "prabot" in its everyday sense means "tools, utensils, equipment" etc (it has other meanings as well, but they are not relevant here).

The word "ricikan" comes from "ricik", to divide up. "Ricikan" means "extra or additional parts" it can also mean "requirements".

It can be easily seen that ricikan is the correct, and more appropriate word to use to refer to the features of a keris blade. These features are not "tools, utensils, equipment", but are "additional parts", or "requirements", in the sense of a specific requirement to satisfy a particular dhapur.

In Malay, 'prabot' (which probably comes from the word 'perabot') refers to furniture or tools. Alan, perhaps the reason why you seldom hear, because it is used in Peninsular Malaysia rather than in Jawa... Afaik, ricikan = prabot. Furnishing in this case, would probably meant to refer as blade decorations.

[A. G. Maisey]

Yes Shahrial, I do see "prabot" used often by Malaysian based collectors, that is the reason I phrased my comment as :- "In respect of Javanese keris---"

In Jawa, I understand that some people will use prabot, instead of ricikan, but according to the people I know, and have known, in Jawa, this is quite incorrect.

I think you will find that "prabot", and "perabot", are exactly the same word, only alternate spellings or inflexions.

Prabot can mean "furnishing" in Indonesian or Javanese too:- "prabot rumah".

[ganjawulung]

If you refer to keris terminology in Java, yes, Alan is correct. "Perabot keris" or you may spell it as "prabot keris" as you like, means all the things that make keris complete -- except the blade. Such as keris hilt, warangka, mendhak, selut, pendhok etc.

Yes, perabot can mean "utensils". The synonim of perabot in Javanese language is "piranti". Or in Indonesian "alat". Even there is a modern terminology in Indonesian now, "piranti lunak" to mention "software" (computer). Or "perangkat lunak" to mention the similar thing (software)...

To mention the details of keris, such as greneng, tikel alis, wadidang, ganja, luk, sekar kacang, pesi, we use the word "ricikan".

Just another information for you...

[sjors]

Thank you Gentlemen,
That's what I really like about this forum; every day I learn more about keris and its cultural surroundings.
regards Sjors

[Alam Shah]

Originally Posted by sjors

Thank you Gentlemen,
That's what I really like about this forum; every day I learn more about keris and its cultural surroundings.
regards Sjors

Hi sjors,
Nice keris, a simple and elegant piece, imo.

[Alam Shah]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Yes Shahrial, I do see "prabot" used often by Malaysian based collectors, that is the reason I phrased my comment as :- "In respect of Javanese keris---"
...

Hi Alan and Pak Jimmy, I do understand. I'm merely stating the use of 'prabot' as in the Malay Peninsular use and context. I'm not saying it's right or wrong... in my posts, I use the term 'ricikan' too when refering to the blade features, especially the base area.