Ritual steeped in tradition

Johor - FOR kris owners, the cleansing of the weapon, which symbolises pride and courage of the Malays, is an important ritual.

Usually held during Awal Muharram, the first day of the Muslim calendar, the cleansing ceremony sees people from near and far bringing their kris to cleansing centres for the experts to work on them. It is also an opportunity for owners to view an assortment of kris brought in for cleansing.

In Johor, the most established centre for the cleansing ceremony is Balai Seni Nusantara along Lido Beach in Johor Baru.

This year, over 100 people brought along their prized collections for the ceremony.

The ceremony usually starts with a silat performance, followed by the centre`s person-in-charge Syed Hussain Haroon blessing the experts with a kris.
The ceremony covers three stages.

First, dirt and oil is removed from the blade with a concoction of lime, mengkudu (a plant that has been extensively used in traditional medicine for centuries) and pineapple juice.

This is followed by dipping the kris into a pail of water filled with chopped pandan leaves. It is then dried with a hairdryer.

Oil and perfume are finally applied to the kris, marking the end of the ceremony.

Kris collector, Zaid Zain, 42, said he goes to the centre regularly after taking up the hobby more than 10 years ago.

He now has 30 kris in his collection, some bought in Indonesia.

“In the past, the kris was used as a talisman against pests in farms. It was usually buried.

“Today, it is displayed more as a collection. I like to collect kris, especially the old ones,” he said.

One of Zaid`s favourite is a 500-year-old Indonesian kris bought five years ago for RM1,500.

He said the original owner of the kris was an Indonesian woman known as Sombro, who used it for protection during birth.

It is said that the value of a kris depends on its workmanship, the metal used, age, motif of the melted metal and the background of the maker.

A famous heirloom for Javanese people, in ancient times the kris represented manhood — a man was not considered a real man until he had a kris. The weapon is highly valued, treated and respected.

The kris is divided into two parts, the blade or wilah, and the scabbard or warangka, to protect the blade.

In olden days, making the blade of a kris would take up to a year to complete.

Only respectable Empu, or kris-makers, can make high-quality kris.
To prepare a kris, the Empu has to perform spiritual deeds like fasting, remaining awake for several days and nights, and meditation, among others.

This is because the weapon is believed to contain a spiritual mission, which is dependent on the user of the kris. For instance, the weapon could be filled with spiritual beings to protect or help the kris owner.

Source: www.nst.com.my (15 Januari 2008)
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