Traditional Malay Weapon: Keris

The keris (kris) is an iconic cultural artefact unique only to the Malay Archipelago. For all the magic and mysticism and ritual associated with the Keris, it was, for the first few hundred years of its existence, primarily a weapon of defense and sudden assault. Literature abounds with accounts of its use in assassinations and executions, intrigues, rivalry and sneak attacks.

Indeed, at one time and in some areas, it was considered a despicable weapon, fit only for brigands, a weapon of treachery and with poisonous qualities at that. The very smallness of the weapon, fitted as it was with a bent- over or pistol-like grip made it a perfect stabbing instrument.

It was easy to make a straight –line thrust to the belly or kidney of the victim while the elbow was bent. This made was effective in a confined space and no doubt contributed to its reputation as a weapon of ill reputed.

In ancient times, blacksmiths were considered among the elite occupations and assumed to be a principal contributor in creating early concepts of understanding the behavior of metals, particularly iron.

Keris can be divided into two parts: mata/bilah (blade) and hulu (hilt). Its distinctive wavy edges known as luk, are always odd in number, from three to thirteen waves.
Traditional Malay Weapon: Keris