Timor-type swords and hilts
The Timor-type swords and handles are a type of sword and handle from the Timor Islands in Indonesia .
description
These swords are used exclusively on the Timor Islands Alor , Pantar , Roti , Sawu , Timor and Wetar . They differ from other swords in the region only in the shape of their hilts. The handles of the swords are almost always made of horn.
Type a
You can find this type in the entire Timor area. The knobs are made of horn. They turn off the booklet and are often very widened and triangular. Many versions have a large "eye" worked out. On the flattened sides, holes are usually made, in which a decoration made of goat hair is attached. These hairs are usually colored black or red. For decoration, geometric carvings are often attached, which are linear or circular, but also cable-shaped. A rare version is when a pattern is worked on the flattened, broad side of the pommel that resembles the steps of a staircase . The top of the knob is slightly rounded (image: type A.1).
Type B
You can find this type on the Pantar, Alor and Wetar Islands. Type B is a version of type A. The triangular knobs are more “tilted” than type A. In the swords of Alor and Wetar, the outer edge of the triangular knob is mostly parallel to the blade. In the Pantar versions, the handle is longer than in the Alor and Wetar versions, while the upper end of the pommel is more blunt. The centrally located "eye" on the pommel is often designed in a rosette or flower shape in these versions . A circular pattern is preferred for the carvings on Alor and a diamond-shaped pattern on Wetar. With type B hair decorations are also used, but much less often than with the versions of type A. The carvings are generally less imaginative. The blades of the swords are produced on site and are always straight. They can be the same width from the booklet to the location or narrow on the booklet and widened towards the location. The back of the blade runs in an arc to the place. The sheaths are in two parts and are made of wood. They are held together with rattan cords . The local opening (vaginal mouth) is widened and worked out as a projection towards the cutting edge. On Alor and Wetar this protrusion is rectangular, on Pantar the end of this protrusion is carved in the shape of feathers or curls. These swords are also called "rugi".
Type c
This type can be found in central Timor. In this type, the end of the booklet is made in the shape of a strongly stylized bird or rooster head. The handle is slightly bent towards the cutting edge. The most prominent point is the beak on the head. A kind of cockscomb is worked out on the top. A carved line often encircles the entire head. The bird's "eye" is often represented by a small silver coin. The blades of these swords often come from English, Portuguese or Dutch production. Straight blades are the most common. The scabbards are in two parts, made of wood and are usually held together with silver-colored metal bands. More modern versions use aluminum strips . The local area of the vagina is made narrow, while the vaginal mouth is widened. The vaginal mouth and the local area are equally wide.
Type D
This type can be found in southwest Timor. The pommel is made in the shape of a stylized animal head. In the case of particularly stylized images, the mouth is missing. The handle is usually round or oval in cross-section, and thickened in the area of the cutting edge and attached to the blade with a fastening clamp. The pommel is slightly bent towards the cutting edge. The most striking part of the booklet is a shell-shaped widening on the spine of the booklet at the point where the curve begins. The blades of this version are often short to very short. Broken sword or saber blades are often used to make these blades. Most of the time the blades are curved. Straight blades are rarely used. The sheaths are made of wood, in two parts and are held together with silver-colored metal bands or bands made of brass . The local area is flat, while the vaginal mouth is triangularly widened. A V-shaped incision is often made on this widening. The scabbard is often attached to a belt that is worn over the shoulder. The sword hangs under the armpit in this way.
Type E
This type can be found on the islands of Savu and Roti. Just like all booklets of the Timor Group, these are also made of horn, with the difference that these booklets have a yellowish color instead of the black of the other versions. The handle is kept very short and widened in a ring on the blade. On the pommel it is almost square, flat and strongly widened. It is very similar to a flag . On the side facing the cutting edge there are carved, feather-shaped carvings. The intermediate areas of the “feathers” are V-shaped, with an “eye” in the middle. As with other versions, the pommel is often decorated with tufts of hair. There are circular carvings on the flat sides. The blades are always straight. The back of the blade runs in an arc to the cutting edge. The sheaths are in two parts, made of wood and attached with rattan. The rattan connection can run the entire length of the scabbard or be interrupted by carvings. The vaginal mouth is often widened. The vaginal mouth can be widened as a whole, so that its diameter far exceeds that of the vagina. The widening is often carved decoratively, but in this case always with the same carving as on the handle. The local area of the sheath is widened and turns towards the cutting edge. On Savu this type of sword is called " Hemola ", on Roti "Tafa".
There is another type that is not included in the typification. This type has a pistol-shaped handle. The sheaths are in two parts and are held together with silver metal straps. The blades are usually curved in the shape of a saber. The hilt and the scabbard are not decorated.
The handles and scabbards of these types of swords are made by professional wood carvers and testify to a high level of artistic craftsmanship.
Picture gallery
Type a
Type A.1
Type B
Type c
Type D
Type E
Blade types
Individual evidence
- ^ Albert G. van Zonneveld: Traditional weapons of the Indonesian archipelago. C. Zwartenkot Art Books, Leiden 2001, ISBN 90-5450-004-2 , pp. 137-139.
