Keris as a window into earlier Malay life

Kota Bharu, Malaysia witnessed a Kelantan Heritage Weapons Festival where Aizal Azwan Amaran, an old-weapons collector, shed light on the intricate details of keris that reveal aspects of earlier Malay life. Collectors believe that the length of the blade, sheath design, carvings, and metals used can all provide clues about the historical context, symbolism, and the role of the keris owner, whether they were rulers, nobles, scholars, or common folk.

Azel Abu Bakar, a 64-year-old collector, highlighted how different types of keris, such as the Keris Debek and the Keris Penyalang, could indicate an individual's position within society, with the former being linked to religious figures and the latter to customary authority. The ukiran kerawang, or openwork carvings, as well as the sampir, or sheath designs, also offer insight into the values and environment of the communities that produced them.

For instance, sampir designs from the east coast often display maritime influences, reflecting the strong ties between these communities and coastal life.

Collectors emphasize that age alone is not sufficient to establish the significance of a keris, and they scrutinize factors such as blade structure, corrosion patterns, and construction techniques to determine its age. The condition of the sheath, however, may not always be an accurate indicator, as it may have been replaced or preserved separately from the blade itself.

Additionally, the use of mixed metals, or pamor, can offer valuable information about the origin and craftsmanship of a keris, particularly in relation to Bugis traditions.

The allure of keris lies in their ability to preserve the traces of the people who crafted, used, and passed them down through generations, offering a unique window into an earlier Malay world. For Aizal and Azel, these historical artifacts are valued not only for their age or ornate appearance but for their capacity to reveal the stories of the past.