The Keris

We seems to be chasing the unknown, the latest technology and everything futuristic that we have forgotten about our past glories which are our heritage and legacy.

Dr.Fawazul Khair Ibrahim,58 who is a senior lecturer at the the faculty of built environment, University Technology Mara and holds a PhD in topology hulu keris hilt (dagger ) held a campaign with a theme called 'one house,one keris' for he fear that this Malay heritage may come to the point of extinction if the elderly neglects it."If we do not champion our own legacy,then who will?" said Fawazul or Prof (I call him prof)."To me,the keris is our legacy" he continued and should be valued by the Malays.

Fawazur who is also an artist hope that his campaign which he does through his art work will make the society realize that the subject of keris (dagger) is not just a symbol to be be used during convocation and installation of the Sultans.It is a legacy for all Malays and we should keep this legacy alive.With that in mind,it will also help the few remaining 'tukang keris' to heighten their unique profession and perhaps pass down their knowledge to others.

"I am not a "tukang keris" therefore I paint and draw the hulu keris tajung as a subject matter hoping that my drawings and art will attract the younger generation to the keris." he said

In ancient days,the keris was said to have supernatural power.They can fly out from their sheath and kill their enemy.Some can even kill their enemy by shoving the dagger into the footsteps of the enemy.These are just myth and folklore. Myths are meant to entertain the listeners.

Abdul Mazin Abdul Jamal is a professional keris maker.He is 65 and he belongs to the fourth generation of the 'tukang keris' (keris maker )He resides in Padang Changkat ,Kuala Kangsar.

"Long ago the Malays in the Peninsular  used spears (lembing)till one day a woman decided to shorten the spear and turned it into a dagger called 'keris' so that the women of that era could hide it in their 'sanggul'(hair bun)."said Mazin . According to prof,this is subjective because it is not written in any book.

The keris is a double edge blade and there are straight blade and curved blades.Everything about the keris has  meanings.There are three types of keris,that is the 'keris anak alang' 'keris Sempana' and the keris hukum.We do not have to delve deep into the names unless one is going to pursue a PhD in this field.

The beauty of the keris lies at the hilt (hulu) because of the intricate carving and decorations. Look at how beautiful the "Taming Sari " is . This keris was presented to Hang Tuah by the Sultan of Malacca and it was a powerful dagger.Many stories were told about the Taming Sari but it is now part of the royal regalia of the Perak Sultanate. How it came to Perak remains a mystery. The logical explanation would be because of Sultan Muzaffar Shah, the first Sultan of Perak. Since he was from Malacca,it must have been brought along by him.

Legend has it that the 'Taming Sari 'was thrown into the sea by Hang Tuah because he killed his best friend Hang Jebat with that keris and somehow when Sultan Muzaffar reach Beting Beras Basah in Perak,it appeared,floating beside his ship.So that was how Sultan Muzaffar got the most talked about dagger in Malaysia. Then again it is a legend so lets leave it as it is.

Ends