Kris in Java

The kris, common to ethnic groups in both the Indonesian archipelago and the Malay Peninsula, was recognized by UNESCO in 2005 as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

In its crudest form, the blade made its first documented appearance in a 9th-century relief at the Borobudur Temple in Magelang, Central Java. In Indonesia the kris is commonly associated with Javanese culture, although other ethnicities are familiar with the weapon as part of their culture, such as the Balinese,Malays, Sundanese, Madurese,-Bugis, Makassar and Filipino.

Kris are used for display, as talismans with magical powers, weapons, a sanctified heirloom (pusaka), auxiliary equipment for court soldiers, an accessory for ceremonial dress, an indicator of social status, a symbol of heroism, etc

For Javanese the Kris is most usually worn in such a manner as not to be instantly at hand. It is proper to wear it trust through the sash in an oblique way, lower end of the sheath on the left side, grip on the right side. If carried aring downward the intention is peaceful. Reversing the aring so that it points upward requires the normal sheath to be worn frontal side against the back; this is not usual, but such a wearing permits an instant draw and fast use of the blade.

The kris has also served as a tool of execution for criminals. The condemned man was made to kneel. His executioner stood behind him holding the kris above the condemned’s left shoulder. At a given signal the executioner plunged the blade in an oblique path, downward through the shoulder flesh near the collarbone and into the victim’s heart.

The most beautiful blades were forged on the island of Java in the 19th century, when bladesmiths crafting royal krisses created the inlaid patterns known as pamor (meaning aura) using nickel iron ores from a large meteorite that had fallen near the Prambanan Temple complex near Borobudur.

Javanese blade types do not stop with the kris. An almost unaccountable variety of blade designs can be found on this island. Some generalizations are possible and may sometimes be extended to then weapons of other areas of Indonesia. The terms pedang, kelewang, parang, pisau, golok, and arit all identify bladed weapons commonly seen on Java.
Kris in Java

Javanese people - Native to the Indonesian island of Java

Javanese people are a Southeast Asian ethnic group native to the Indonesian island of Java. With approximately 100 million people, they form the largest ethnic group in Indonesia.

The Javanese language belongs to the Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian) family. They are identified as being highly ethical, both in attitude and speech. A majority of the Javanese people identify themselves as Sunni Muslims, with a small minority identifying as Christians and Hindus.

The Austronesian ancestors of the Javanese arrived perhaps as early as 3000 BC from the Kalimantan coast. Apparently, the island's agricultural bounty was renowned from the earliest times: "Java" comes from the Sanskrit Yavadvipa ("island of barley").

Javanese homelands are in the central and eastern parts of the island. The second-largest ethnic and linguistic group, the Sundanese, occupy the western part of Java.

In the fifteenth century AD, Java's north coast ports fell under the influence of Muslim Malacca, and under the rule of the descendants of non-Javanese Muslim merchants.

In the early 16th century, Islamic states had been founded in the port towns of the pasisir : Gresik, Tuban, Demak.

In 1743, the north coast of Java was fully leased to the VOC that ruled it alone, controlled the ports and regulated trade. The Dutch government took control of Java in the 1830s.
Javanese people - Native to the Indonesian island of Java