Bali keris holder use

SidJ · 9th December 2023, 01:07 AM

Thank you Alan,
I am grateful indeed for your thoughts. For clarity my query related to the time before the Puputans when old Balinese culture was strong. Now we live in a largely homogenous world where one worldview sadly dominates. I am sure many will find your post insightful. Thanks again.

A. G. Maisey · 9th December 2023, 02:16 AM

Thanks Sid.

I possibly could have written more, but then we need to decide just where to stop with this sort of stuff.

But maybe a qualification will not go astray:- my comments apply very particularly to the Bali that an outsider will see, & even there, the requisite offerings are made every day by most people. If one is prepared to put in the time, and to live for extended periods in out of the way places, then they might, if they are lucky, find a different Bali.

SidJ · 9th December 2023, 10:43 AM

I was reflecting on Balinese culture and despite the huge changes in the previous century the people are still by relative measures deeply spiritual and practice all sorts of prayers for many occassions. Offerings on cross roads etc etc. I think post the Bali bombings this interest was heightened. Covid too might have played a role. In any case these prayers may have worked as Bali is booming again.

Gustav · 9th December 2023, 01:42 PM

Yes, T.J. Bezemer writes (1931), men visiting do place their keris in keris holders.

Another mention of use of keris holders- Court Arts of Indonesia (1990) - "Though spectacular as sculptures and used to flank the seat of honor of the ruler in Bali and Lombok, kris-holders were not designed to hold the most sacred krises, which would be kept in pusaka boxes and brought out only on ceremonial occasions."

This is a picture of offerings to enshrined founders of a Puri. On this ocassion Keris associated with them are placed in holders, flanking their "seat".

A. G. Maisey · 9th December 2023, 07:38 PM

Puri or Pura Gustav?

That pic is a good find.

Gustav · 9th December 2023, 07:43 PM

Alan, Puri (palace) indeed.

A. G. Maisey · 9th December 2023, 08:37 PM

Thanks Gustav, I asked the question because I heard of a pura in Tabanan that has something similar to this staged regularly.

Yes, we normally refer to a Balinese ruler's abode (hardly a palace) as a puri, but in fact it can be applied to the abode of any nobleman.

Ordinary people sometimes use the word jokingly to apply to their own house.

9th December 2023, 01:42 PM	#4
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,208	Yes, T.J. Bezemer writes (1931), men visiting do place their keris in keris holders. Another mention of use of keris holders- Court Arts of Indonesia (1990) - "Though spectacular as sculptures and used to flank the seat of honor of the ruler in Bali and Lombok, kris-holders were not designed to hold the most sacred krises, which would be kept in pusaka boxes and brought out only on ceremonial occasions." This is a picture of offerings to enshrined founders of a Puri. On this ocassion Keris associated with them are placed in holders, flanking their "seat". Attached Images Last edited by Gustav; 9th December 2023 at 07:05 PM.

9th December 2023, 01:07 AM	#1
SidJ Member Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 177	Thank you Alan, I am grateful indeed for your thoughts. For clarity my query related to the time before the Puputans when old Balinese culture was strong. Now we live in a largely homogenous world where one worldview sadly dominates. I am sure many will find your post insightful. Thanks again.

9th December 2023, 02:16 AM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,746	Thanks Sid. I possibly could have written more, but then we need to decide just where to stop with this sort of stuff. But maybe a qualification will not go astray:- my comments apply very particularly to the Bali that an outsider will see, & even there, the requisite offerings are made every day by most people. If one is prepared to put in the time, and to live for extended periods in out of the way places, then they might, if they are lucky, find a different Bali.

9th December 2023, 10:43 AM	#3
SidJ Member Join Date: Apr 2020 Posts: 177	I was reflecting on Balinese culture and despite the huge changes in the previous century the people are still by relative measures deeply spiritual and practice all sorts of prayers for many occassions. Offerings on cross roads etc etc. I think post the Bali bombings this interest was heightened. Covid too might have played a role. In any case these prayers may have worked as Bali is booming again.

9th December 2023, 07:38 PM	#5
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,746	Puri or Pura Gustav? That pic is a good find.

9th December 2023, 07:43 PM	#6
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,208	Alan, Puri (palace) indeed.

9th December 2023, 08:37 PM	#7
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,746	Thanks Gustav, I asked the question because I heard of a pura in Tabanan that has something similar to this staged regularly. Yes, we normally refer to a Balinese ruler's abode (hardly a palace) as a puri, but in fact it can be applied to the abode of any nobleman. Ordinary people sometimes use the word jokingly to apply to their own house.