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If we are meeting for the first time, my name is Khairi Johari, better known as Pak JoFe, The Keris Collector from Singapore, your personal guide to the exciting world of the keris and its collecting culture.
If you are a fan of history, art, and mythology, embodied into these traditional daggers, that we natives of the Malay World refer to as the keris, be sure to subscribe and join our community right here on The Keris Collector YouTube Channel.
First Cut at some of the highlights from yesterday’s event which I was invited to.
This set of videos was recorded from my phone as my camera battery went flat and I forgot to pack spare batteries. Note to self. Always check your spares before leaving for an event!!!
I am still plughing through the photos and videos from my camera. Will edit them together soon.
Edited in iMovie from my mobile. Enjoy.
https://www.facebook.com/thekeriscollector/videos/1317725001639629/
As a collector, oftentimes passions with traditional and cultural arts, lulls us into complacency and ignorance to the happenings closest to our heart – our children.
In zealous pursuit of knowledge, understanding, exploration and educational expansion of the subject of interest to one’s desires, at times children are left neglected, or so it would seem.
For me, my children are my inspiration that drives me to continue further into my interest on the subject of keris and its related “Malay” material culture.
Life’s temporary bliss is in the form of material collection and possession. Materialistic as this statement may sound but it is a fact.
Material possessions earned through commitment and dedication fills us with an assured feeling of euphoria to a certain extent. However it its prudent to look beyond one’s own interest. A simple fact – life is impermanent.
What is going to happen when a collector passes on? What will become of his collections? His research, findings and library? Will it be appreciated? Kept as heirlooms? Passed on to the next generation?
Or will it be conveniently discarded, disposed and auctioned away?
In all honesty I do not have the guaranteed answers to these questions. I am however, convinced that children are the future.
Through our children, there is a higher probability that the rich and vibrant cultural legacy will be preserved and passed on. Hence, efforts to instil interests in traditional and cultural arts, begins at home – with our own children.
A stoic and poignant observation from my years as a collector; I have known many collectors both locally in Singapore and overseas; it is regrettable to note that throughout a period of 15 years, to date, I keep seeing the same old faces so to speak.
One question that springs to mind is – where are the next generation of collectors and proteges? I do not see new faces taking after them. What of their own children then?
Any established collector should invest time; aside from becoming intimately knowledgeable of his collections and subjects related; towards grooming the next generation of collectors and subject matter experts. I have yet to meet any collectors whose children are groomed as their proteges for the future.
I do not see collectors walking hand in hand with their children, attending exhibitions, book launches, visiting experts or getting involved at public events as passionate cultural activists. What I observe is that the hobby is only relished by the collector alongside his like minded collector friends.
At times I do feel that as a collector, I tend to spend more time pursuing my passions, and dedicating myself to my hobby more than with my family.
In retrospect, however I am certain that I maintain a healthy balance between family, hobby and work.
When my son was born, it would be insane if I were to drag him everywhere I went. It would be laborious and an inconvenience to others alongside myself.
Hence I patiently waited for the day my son was able to walk on his own. That was the day that I introduced him into my world. Today, my son; a boy of 3 years of age; is capable of handling a keris and any edged weapons on his own (with my supervision of course). He also has a sharp sense of observation and appreciation for cultural artefacts.
My son would stare, at times for hours, at my display shelves. with an expression of awe and amazement; he does try his luck at opening the display which for obvious safety reasons, are kept locked at all times; makes me wonder what he was thinking of at that time.
Children pick up traits easily from observing their surroundings. Especially at home. It would be wise to instil positive attributes, interests and virtues while they are still young. Children needs to be inspired before they take off towards a specific direction and interest.
As a parent and a collector, I am obliged to to impart my knowledge, principles and virtues in my children. I do not however expect them to grow up into the adage old saying of being “a chip of the old block” so to speak. I’d settle for them being “the apple does not fall far from the tree” types.
Life is impermanent. As much as it is nice to have like minded friends to associate yourself with, nothing can ever truly replace a harmonious family.
Like keris, it is never complete without its’ parts and components. So too is family. A man is not complete without his spouse and children by his side. Regardless how big a collection, a library or even knowledge a man may possess, he can never be fully satisfied and satiated with just these alone.
On this note, I hope to see the children of fellow collectors taking up the helm of their parents and become the next wave of traditional cultural activists for the next generation. To carry on the legacy of their parents, assuring that the cultural legacy and collections acquired by their parents are preserved and passed on for the benefit of the community. To collectors whom may not yet have any heirs, do consider grooming proteges to take after you.
Till my next post. This is Khairi Johari (Pak JoFe) wishing you well wishes, may you be granted easy passage in life, blessed with health, sustenance, strength through faith and be happy always alongside loved ones. May your prayers of good intent be granted. God Bless!!!
Bpk. Haryono Haryoguritno Bin Taslim Pranowo Hadikusomo, passed away peacefully in the wee hours of Monday, 13 March 2017 at 5.15am (Indonesian Time) in RS Jatinegara Premier. East Jakarta, at the age of 85 years of age. He will be laid to rest at Giritama muslim cemetery at Tonjong Bogor.
Almarhum Bpk. Haryono Haryoguritno was born on 26 January 1932, in Temanggung (Central Java). The eldest of four siblings; from Bpk. Pranowo Hadikusomo and Ibu Soemariyah Hadiwisastro.
Bpk Haryono Haryoguritno was an active proponent of Indonesian arts and culture, and his contributions in the area of Courts Arts and Keris of Indonesia, is renown throughout the region amongst collectors and aficionados of the Indonesian art.
Almarhum Bpk. Haryono Haryoguritno has written several books on such subject and his most noteworthy and last known publication on the subject of Keris was the book titled “Keris Jawa: Antara Mistik Dan Nalar, published in 2005 by PT Indonesia Kebanggaanku.”
He will be dearly missed but his Legacy will live on in present and future collectors. The Keris Collector, extends his condolences to the family and friends of the late Bpk. Haryono Haryoguritno. May he rest in peace amongst the faithful. Al-Fateha.
REFERENCE:
Segera Bentuk Lembaga Keris Indonesia | Suara Pembaruan”. http://sp.beritasatu.com. N.p., 2017. Web. 14 Mar. 2017.
IDENTIFYING KERIS PARTS
1. INTRODUCTION
In any discussions related to Nusantara (Malay Archipelago), seldom can one shy away from discussing the subject of the keris – the single hand, double edged, asymmetrical; bladed weapon of the indigenous inhabitants of the region.
This weapon type, whose origin remains a mystery till this day, can only be uniquely found in abundance throughout the regions of Nusantara and strangely nowhere else in the world.
The keris, saturated myths, legends and traditions of indigenous coastal communities of Nusantara, centuries long before the arrival of the first European colonialist. Eventually, through European colonisers, they brought the lore and specimens of the keris out of Nusantara and introduced it to the world.
The mysticism and metaphorical divinity associated with the keris continues to fascinate the minds of collectors and aficionados alike to this day.
However, before delving further on the intricacies and technicalities related to the art, science and myth of the keris, let us first familiarise ourselves with the keris. What is a keris?
2. WHAT IS A KERIS?
Depending on the choice of reference literature available on this subject; kris (European), criss (Portuguese), crees (German), keris (Malay), karis (Aceh); all refers to the same thing. For the sake of consistency in reference, I shall be using the term “keris” throughout my writings.
A keris, according to Woolley (1947), is “a double-edged dagger or rapier varying in shape and size, primarily for thrusting; it’s essential characteristic is the widening of the blade towards the hilt to form a guard, long and pointed on one side, short and blunt on the other.”
To a certain extent, this is somewhat close to describing what a keris is, however upon closer observation and study, Woolley’s notes is but a generalisation without going into detailed specifics. Key specifics are the crux that makes the art of the keris, more fascinating to study today.
A keris from an astute observation is defined as a seamless blend and synergy between artisans. The keris is a composite artistic combination of beautifully created parts and components. Which by themselves are fascinating works of art but cannot be defined singularly as a keris.
Only in combination does each of these components then merge as one and becomes the apropos keris.
3. THE KERIS
3.1 KERIS DRESS AND FITTINGS
3.2 KERIS SARUNG (SHEATH/SCABBARD)
3.3 KERIS HULU (HILT/HANDLE)
3.4 KERIS BILAH (BLADE)
3.5 KERIS DAPUR/PERABOTS/BANGUNAN
3.6 COUNTING LUKS: METHOD 1
3.7 COUNTING LUKS: METHOD 2
4. CONCLUSION
The study of the keris form and art is diverse and transverse across regions within the Malay Archipelago (Nusantara), there are various styles and forms adopted; some exclusively specific to some regions. However the basic structure of a keris; how it is made and built; remains consistent throughout its history.
Before you embark on a journey to discover more, it is crucial that you ensure your basic footing on the subject is firm and solid. It would be pointless and a waste if your basic understanding is astray from the beginning.
In summary, a keris, is technically defined as an asymmetrical thrusting and slashing double edged bladed weapon, designed as an underarm tool of attack, whose blade broadens at the base and tapers towards its tip. The keris comprises of several key components, without which none can function without the other on its own. The keris is unique only to the indigenous inhabitants of the region of the Malay Archipelago.
The hilt, the blade, the sheath and the hilt cup serves a rudimentary purpose to the proper function and usage of the keris as a weapon and a tool for communication. These aspects will be discussed further in future write-ups.
On this note, I hope my brief introduction to this subject, be of benefit to you. In this write up, I introduced the basics of the keris, presented as an object. I will elaborate more on future write-ups. Till then, enjoy this reference material and please share it so that others out there may benefit from my writing too. Cheers.
5. REFERENCES
