Ekajo
| Ekajo | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Information | |
| Weapon type: | spear |
| Designations: | Ekajo, Poki Poki |
| Use: | weapon |
| Region of origin / author: |
Indonesia , ethnic groups from Indonesia |
| Distribution: | Indonesia |
| Overall length: | about 168 cm to about 204 cm |
| Blade length: | about 12.5 cm to about 22.5 cm |
| Handle: | Wood |
| Lists on the subject | |
The Ekajo , also poki poki , is an Indonesian spear of the ethnic groups on the island of Enggano, off the west coast of Sumatra .
description
In general, Ekajo denotes the war spear (further names in Enggano : ebaoe , ekajo feji or kanakinie ); The names of the hunting spears, which differ slightly in shape, are bohoi or ekitoba . Multi- pointed fish spears that differ from the Ekajo are also known as keyako or kiakowe .
The Ekajo is the national weapon of the ethnic groups from the island of Enggano (Pulau Enggano), of which every man owned several and which were also a sign of his wealth.
The Ekajo has a straight, round shaft made of wood. The blades are available in different designs: they can be barbed , or they can be smooth and have a central ridge. The number of barbs is not determined and varies depending on the version. Their shape can be symmetrical or asymmetrical. The Italian researcher Elio Modigliani , who traveled to Enggano in 1891, already shows nine different basic types in an illustration in his work L'isola delle donne from 1894. The Ekajo is generally used as a throwing spear in war or conflict; Barbs are used to push down the opponent's shield, spears with a broad or heavy tip are used to penetrate the shield.
The materials used to manufacture it also vary. It is iron , copper , bone , bamboo or wood used. The Enggano do not have blacksmithing skills. Spearheads and thorns made of metal are made from one piece, mostly otherwise unusable remnants from machetes or swords called parang imported from outside , without fire or heat by hammering, grinding and polishing. Barbs made of other materials can also be attached.
The shaft becomes thinner from the blade to the end and is often decorated with figurative representations. The end of the shaft is often wrapped with vegetable fibers and equipped with a pointed metal spike.
The lengths of the Ekajo are adjusted as required. The children of the Enggano tribes begin their training with a spear from about 50 cm to a maximum of 100 cm in length. With age and experience, the length is gradually increased to the maximum length. Accurate hits are possible up to a distance of 50 meters.
literature
- Albert G. van Zonneveld: Traditional weapons of the Indonesian archipelago. C. Zwartenkot Art Books, Leiden 2001, ISBN 90-5450-004-2 , p. 45 and illustrations 104-105.
- Elio Modigliani: L'isola delle donne. Viaggio ad Engano. Ulrico Hoepli, Milan 1894, ( Internet Archive ).
