Salawaku
| Salawaku | |
|---|---|
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| Information | |
| Weapon type: | sign |
| Designations: | Salawaku, (see text) |
| Use: | Weapon, ceremonial item |
| Region of origin / author: |
Indonesia , ethnic groups from Indonesia |
| Distribution: | Indonesia |
| Overall length: | about 70 cm to about 110 cm, width about 10 cm |
| Handle: | Wood |
| Lists on the subject | |
The Salawaku also Emuli , Ma Dadatoko , Saluwaku is a shield from Indonesia.
description
The salawaku is usually made of wood. It is an hourglass-shaped , narrow long shield and is carved from one piece, including the handle on the back. The upper and lower part are wide and narrow towards the middle. The front is slightly round in cross-section and somewhat V-shaped. The shield is also slightly curved in length (see picture info box). A thick rib is worked out lengthways on the back, with the handle forming part of this rib. The front is usually painted black with a paint made from the sap of various roots and plants . In addition, the outside is adorned with mother-of-pearl inlays and pieces of earthenware . Secret societies use the "Kakean" symbol for decoration. The name Salawaku comes from the words for "protection and repulsion", which is used in Indonesian culture to commemorate the supernatural protection of the ancestors, or from the terms for "miss and catch". With this technique, the opponent's weapon was blocked with the shield and the shield was then disarmed.
The salawaku forms a kind of body with its appearance and the mother-of-pearl ornaments form the other body parts. The upper part of the shield stands for the head, the lower part for the feet. The lines that represent the arteries are longitudinal. The raised rib, which runs lengthways on the back, symbolizes the spine and, just below the handle, the larynx . Inlays on the front above the handle represent the eyes. The number of these inlays supposedly represent the number of enemies of the "ancestors" killed.
The length of the shield is calculated according to the length of the wearer's arms and must not be longer than two arm lengths. When the shield is held horizontally on the outstretched arm, it must not touch the wearer's chin to prevent "tears from falling on the shield". According to the belief of the Indonesian warriors, courage and grief must be separated, hence this custom.
The salawaku not only serves as a shield, but also as a weapon . With the thin edges and corners of the shield, dangerous blows can be carried out against sensitive parts of the body of an opponent. On the Buru Island it is called "Emuli". It is also used on ceremonial occasions. It serves as a gift to the groom and is also used in the war dances (Indon. Cakalele), also in the war dances during wedding celebrations (Indon. Hoyla) with the Tobelo ethnic group. When dancing, it is carried in the left hand. The salawaku is used by ethnic groups in Indonesia.
Individual evidence
- ^ Albert G. van Zonneveld: Traditional weapons of the Indonesian archipelago. C. Zwartenkot Art Books, Leiden 2001, ISBN 90-5450-004-2 , p. 118.
