Bali keris holder use

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.

Gustav · 9th December 2023, 09:25 PM

Alan, I wonder if that is not Puri Anyar Kerambitan.

https://www.nowbali.co.id/puri-anyar...alace-history/

A. G. Maisey · 9th December 2023, 09:53 PM

No Gustav, it was a pura, supposedly there was a cave under this pura that held a hoard of sacred keris, tombak & other paraphernalia.

I got this story second hand, cannot vouch for any of it, but it was a good story, the teller was a longtime European ex-pat who lives near Ubud.

Gustav · 10th December 2023, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

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

My home is my Puri!

A. G. Maisey · 10th December 2023, 12:28 AM

Absolutely!

9th December 2023, 01:42 PM	#2
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,202	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, 10:43 AM	#1
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	#3
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,736	Puri or Pura Gustav? That pic is a good find.

9th December 2023, 07:43 PM	#4
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,202	Alan, Puri (palace) indeed.

9th December 2023, 08:37 PM	#5
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,736	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, 09:25 PM	#6
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,202	Alan, I wonder if that is not Puri Anyar Kerambitan. https://www.nowbali.co.id/puri-anyar...alace-history/

9th December 2023, 09:53 PM	#7
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,736	No Gustav, it was a pura, supposedly there was a cave under this pura that held a hoard of sacred keris, tombak & other paraphernalia. I got this story second hand, cannot vouch for any of it, but it was a good story, the teller was a longtime European ex-pat who lives near Ubud.

10th December 2023, 12:28 AM	#9
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,736	Absolutely!