Nio (booklet)
The Nio are handles on Indonesian knives and swords that come from Nias .
"Nio" is the common word for magazine in Indonesia . In most cases the material is wood and a metal staple clamp is attached to the blade side, which is simply designed or lavishly decorated. Ivory , horn or bone notebooks are rarer. There are different versions.
Booklet types
Niobawa Lawolo The Niobawa Lawolo is carved in the shape of a "Lasara" head (an Indonesian mythical figure). He is equipped with an open mouth , teeth and a "Bekhu" figure (indon, "evil spirit"), which lies in the neck of the head. This type of stitching is most common in the Nias region. There are many different versions that are realistic or abstract.
Nioasu Buwuna The Nioasu Buwuna is a version of the "Lasara" head from South Nias. The "Bekhu" figure is not present on this one.
Niobawa Bae The Niobawa Bae is carved in the shape of a monkey's head with an open mouth. Also in this version there is often a "Bekhu" figure in the neck of the monkey's head. The open mouth and the visible teeth make it look aggressive. In the belief of the Indonesians, the carved monkey head offers greater speed in combat.
Niolo Gari The Niolo Gari is a very stylized image of a "Lasara" (indon: "evil spirit"). It ends in a wide open mouth in a V shape. The eyes of the "Lasara" are positioned at the corners of the head. A bent metal tongue protrudes from the mouth and is bent at the end. The rare swords that are provided with this type of handle are called "Gari" and are reserved for chiefs only, and symbolize the high status of their bearers.
Niofo M'bowaja The Niofo M'bowaja is a magazine version from North Nias (not shown).
Niofabawa Lawolo The Niofabawa Lawolo comes from South Nias. and is made of brass or bronze . It has the shape of a very stylized animal head. The pommel ends in a V-shaped mouth that has some sharp points that represent the animal's teeth.
Niotaka Waena The Niotaka Waena ( indonian . Handle like a swallow ) comes from southern Nias. The lips of the "Lasara" mouth are stylized, flat and receding.
Nioto Lutolu The Nioto Lutolu (Indonian handle in the shape of a beetle ). The flat, recessed sides of the hilt are modeled on the wings of a flying insect and are intended to give the sword speed in combat.
Niokawa Kawa The Niokawa Kawa (Indon. A handle in the shape of a butterfly ). It combines the forms of the Niotaka Waena and the Nioto Lotulo . It represents a moth (nocturnal animal). It is supposed to make the carrier inaudible during nighttime attacks.
Niobu Kaka The Niobu Kaka has the stylized shape of a bird's head. It is made exclusively from bronze or brass and is similar to the handle of the kris .
Niowoli Woli The Niowoli Woli has the shape of a rolled up fern leaf . You can find this shape mostly on smaller knives that were originally intended to cut "pinang" nuts, but also serve as weapons.
Nioloa Uma also Nio Bawa Mune The Nioloa Uma is described as "in the shape of a convex hammer". They only occur in connection with imported ivory and are often reddish in color. Often found on Si Euli , the "Saboa Io" "from North Nias and the" Balato Ninifoio "from South Nias, these daggers seem to be a combination of the Rencong and Sewar from Aceh .
Niodanga Wana The Niodanga Wana is a very simple, rigid and stylized wooden notebook. It has the shape of a pistol pommel. You can often find it on the "Saboa Io", the "Balatu Nifoio" and on smaller knives for work.
Niobawa Lawolo
Nioasu Buwuna
Niobawa Bae
Niolo Gari
Niofabawa Lawolo
Niotaka Waena
Nioto Lutolu
Niobu Kaka
Niowoli Woli
Nioloa Uma
Niodanga Wana
Individual evidence
- ^ Albert G. van Zonneveld: Traditional weapons of the Indonesian archipelago. C. Zwartenkot Art Books, Leiden 2001, ISBN 90-5450-004-2 , pp. 90-91.