Mandau (knife)

Traditional weapon of the Dayak people of Borneo

Mandau

A mandau complete with a langgei puai (whittling blade), pre-1927.

Type| Sword, cutlass, ceremonial blade
Place of origin| Borneo (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia)
Service history
Used by| Dayak (Sea Dayak, Bidayuh, Kayan, Kenyah, Penan, Lun Bawang/Lundayeh)
Specifications
Blade type| Single edge, one side convex and concave on the other side
Hilt type| Antler/deer horn, wood, animal or human hair
Scabbard/sheath| Wood, antler or bone fittings, animal or human hair

A mandau[1] is the traditional weapon of the Dayak people of Borneo.[2][3] It is also known as parang ilang among the Bidayuh, Iban and Penan people, malat by the Kayan people, baieng by the Kenyah people, or bandau by Lun Bawang, and pelepet or felepet by Lundayeh. The mandau is mostly ceremonial, but a less elaborate version called an ambang is used as an everyday practical tool.

Associated with the headhunting ceremony, in which people would gather to attack other tribes and gather heads to be used in various festivities, the mandau is both a work of art and a weapon.

## Description

[edit]

Various parts that makes up a complete mandau.

The mandau's blade is convex on one side and somewhat concave on the other side.[4] It is mostly made of tempered metals, with exquisite vine-works and inlaid brass. The hilt is made from animal horns, such as deer horns, although some variations with human bones and fragrant wood also have been found. Both the hilt and scabbard are elaborately carved and plumed. Details of carvings vary from tribe to tribe, but mostly depict creatures or, if human bones were used, anthropomorphic deities. A mandau is often accompanied with a whittling knife, generally referred to as pisau raut.

### Ambang

[edit]

An ambang is a mandau made from common steel, often sold as a souvenir. Those who are not familiar with the mandau will often be unable to distinguish between a mandau and an ambang, because of their similar appearance. However the two are actually very different. The mandau's blade is engraved, and it is embedded with gold, copper or silver. It holds a stronger edge and is more flexible: it is said that the mandau is made from iron ore obtained from rocky mountains forged by skilled blacksmiths, whereas the ambang is made from ordinary steel.[5]

## In popular culture

[edit]

As a symbol of Dayak culture, the mandau is frequently depicted in various ways. The Indonesian provinces of East Kalimantan, West Kalimantan, and Central Kalimantan all featured a mandau in their provincial emblems.[6][7][8] The paramilitary organization Mandau Talawang Pancasila was named after the weapon.[9] The insignia of the military commands Kodam VI/Mulawarman and Kodam XII/Tanjungpura in Indonesia also featured them.

## See also

[edit]

* Indonesia portal
* Malaysia portal

* Jimpul
* Pandat
* Langgai Tinggang
* Niabor

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Active Interest Media, Inc. (October 1984). "Black Belt". Black Belt. Buyer's Guide. Active Interest Media, Inc.: 41–. ISSN 0277-3066.
2. ^ Lumholtz, Carl (1920). Through Central Borneo. C. Scribner's sons. ISBN 978-1-314-54676-7. `{{cite book}}`: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
3. ^ unknown (2003). "Arts of Asia – Volume 33, Issues 4-6". Arts of Asia. Arts of Asia Publications, University of Virginia. ISSN 0004-4083.
4. ^ Albert G Van Zonneveld (2002). Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago. Koninklyk Instituut Voor Taal Land. ISBN 90-5450-004-2.
5. ^ Yuyus Kardiman, Yasnita Yasin, Aslidar & Windi Marathun Sholiha (2010). Masyarakat Indonesia: teropong antropologi budaya Indonesia. Laboratorium Sosial Politik Press. ISBN 978-60-287-6809-2.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
6. ^ Fikry, Muhammad I. (2017-09-20). "Logo Provinsi Kalimantan Tengah". DINAS PERUMAHAN, KAWASAN PERMUKIMAN DAN PERTANAHAN (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2022-02-05.
7. ^ "Arti dan Makna Lambang Provinsi Kalimantan Barat". Tribunpontianak.co.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2022-02-05.
8. ^ "Lambang". kaltimprov.go.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2022-02-05.
9. ^ van Klinken, Gerry (2006-04-01). "Colonizing Borneo: State-Building and Ethnicity in Central Kalimantan". (untitled). Rochester, NY. SSRN 1876543.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mandau.

* Parang Ilang (Iban), Malat/Mandau (Kayan) or Baieng (Kenyah)

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* Category:Knives / Daggers

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