The Lawi Ayam artifact is also described as a personal protection tool for women. It is a small weapon that can be hidden in specific places on the user‟s bodysuch as woman‟shair bun or man‟s cloth fold.
The lawi ayam blade is arguably the most unique, efficient and deadliest blade used in Malay Archipelago’s silat fighting arts. This knife can tear through flesh like paper, cut off fingers with little effort and disembowel a human with one swipe.
Lawi ayam is believed to have originated among the Minangkabau people. The lawi ayam’s design is based on a tiger's claw. The razor-sharp blade should be optimized for hooking, tearing, ripping, slicing and maximum efficiency with minimal effort.
The blade developed strong roots in Malay Peninsula, where it was used as a defensive and backup weapon and for every day chores.
Each lawi ayam is traditionally created based on the owner’s eye size and the width of blade is based on the forefinger. Using the owner’s body measurements was believed to be the best way to make the weapon. Every lawi ayam was specially designed with a specific measurement of the user, thus highlighting the knowledge of the Malay blacksmiths on logical calculation of human body parts.
According to the researchers Lawi Ayam is used by village people as a survival technology. The transformation of its use happened in wars be-tween the 15th and 19th century in certain states of the Malaysian peninsula such as Kelantan, Pahang, Johor, Selangor, and Perak.
Traditional weapon: Lawi ayam
