Indonesian golok ? Information wanted

klewang · 28th September 2009, 09:33 PM

Did some "research" on the web and came across a few goloks with a similar shape of blade as mine has. They were described as golok Bengkulu.
Does anyone here knows more about these and perhaps confirm if mine could be one?

Thanks.

Maurice · 28th September 2009, 11:18 PM

Welcome to the forum klewang!

I looked in the book of van Zonneveld. There you can find a description of the "chunderik" or "chundrik":

Chunderik:
"The name given to weapons of widely differing forms. For instance: a long sabre, a klewang or a small dagger the blade and hilt of which are forged from one piece and thus related to the so-called keris majapahit. The "chunderik" may sometimes serve as the point of a spear."

I wouldn't call your sword a "golok" either. Although all my indonesian friends call everything a "golok", whenever you can say in dutch "kapmes".
I would just call it some kind of little Javanese sword.
But I think yours is no piece used as working tool for "een paar boompjes om te hakken"

, but used as some kind of status symbol.

vriendelijke groet,
Maurice

Amuk Murugul · 29th September 2009, 12:31 AM

Hullo everybody,

The item you have there is what is called a Gobang Soenda (gobang=sabel=sabre).
They were worn by Soenda Senapati (military officers) as far back as the 15thC (perhaps even earlier).
Not surprising that it is sometimes referred to as 'Golok Bengkulu' since that area was a busy area of commerce for the Soenda during the 14th-15thC and people not familiar with Soenda weaponry generally refer to any long knife as a 'golok' (although a golok forms only part of a warrior's standard 'wear').

I have attached a photo of similar items.

mvg.

Best,

CharlesS · 29th September 2009, 02:14 PM

I am wondering if the size(small) and awkward way these seem to handle, particularly the ones with the very short, heavily curved blades, makes these more of a status or ceremonial piece.....especially after having read the above thread.

29th September 2009, 12:31 AM	#3
Amuk Murugul Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Kaboejoetan Galoenggoeng Mélben Posts: 472	Hullo everybody, The item you have there is what is called a Gobang Soenda (gobang=sabel=sabre). They were worn by Soenda Senapati (military officers) as far back as the 15thC (perhaps even earlier). Not surprising that it is sometimes referred to as 'Golok Bengkulu' since that area was a busy area of commerce for the Soenda during the 14th-15thC and people not familiar with Soenda weaponry generally refer to any long knife as a 'golok' (although a golok forms only part of a warrior's standard 'wear'). I have attached a photo of similar items. mvg. Best, Attached Images

28th September 2009, 09:33 PM	#1
klewang Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 23	Did some "research" on the web and came across a few goloks with a similar shape of blade as mine has. They were described as golok Bengkulu. Does anyone here knows more about these and perhaps confirm if mine could be one? Thanks.

28th September 2009, 11:18 PM	#2
Maurice Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,453	Welcome to the forum klewang! I looked in the book of van Zonneveld. There you can find a description of the "chunderik" or "chundrik": Chunderik: "The name given to weapons of widely differing forms. For instance: a long sabre, a klewang or a small dagger the blade and hilt of which are forged from one piece and thus related to the so-called keris majapahit. The "chunderik" may sometimes serve as the point of a spear." I wouldn't call your sword a "golok" either. Although all my indonesian friends call everything a "golok", whenever you can say in dutch "kapmes". I would just call it some kind of little Javanese sword. But I think yours is no piece used as working tool for "een paar boompjes om te hakken" , but used as some kind of status symbol. vriendelijke groet, Maurice

29th September 2009, 02:14 PM	#4
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	I am wondering if the size(small) and awkward way these seem to handle, particularly the ones with the very short, heavily curved blades, makes these more of a status or ceremonial piece.....especially after having read the above thread.