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Kujang (weapon)

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Kujang
Kujang, a typical weapon of Sundanese.
TypeDagger, Ceremonial Knife
Place of originIndonesia
Service history
Used bySundanese people
Specifications
Mass300 g (11 oz) approximately
Length20–25 cm (7.9–9.8 in)

BladetypeSingle edge, convex grind
HilttypeWater buffalo horn, wooden
Scabbard/sheathWater buffalo horn, wooden

Thekujangis abladedweapon native to theSundanese peopleofIndonesia.The earliest kujang made is from around the 8th or 9th century. It is forged out of iron, steel, andpattern weldingsteel with a length of approximately 20–25 cm and weighs about 300 grams. According toSanghyang siksakanda ng karesiancanto XVII, the kujang was the weapon of farmers and has its roots in agricultural use. It is thought to have originated from its predecessor, akudi.[1]The kujang is one of the traditional weapons in the Sundanese school ofpencak silat.The kujang, like thekeris,is a blade of sentimental and spiritual value to the people of Indonesia, who have a vast belief in supernatural powers.

Description[edit]

Characteristics of a kujang include a cutting edge and other parts such aspapatuk / congothe tip of the blade,eluk / silihthe bulging curve at the base of the blade,tadahthe inward curve at the belly of the blade, andmatasmall holes on the blade that are covered with gold or silver.[2]Apart from its unique characteristics that tend to be thin, the material is dry, porous and contains many natural metal elements.

In Bogor poem as it is spoken by Anis Djatisunda (1996–2000), the kujang has many functions and shapes.[3]Based on functions there are four of them namely,kujang pusaka(symbol of grandeur and safety protection),kujang pakarang(warfare),[4]kujang pangarak(ceremonial),[5]andkujang pamangkas(agricultural tool).[6]As for the shapes, there is thekujang jago(shape of a rooster),kujang ciung(shape of aJavan cochoabird),kujang kuntul(shape of anegretbird),kujang badak(shape of arhinoceros),kujang naga(shape of a mythical dragon), andkujang bangkong(shape of a frog). Apart from that, there are shapes of the kujang blade that resemble female characters ofwayang kulitas a symbol of fertility.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^Albert G Van Zonneveld (2002).Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago.Koninklyk Instituut Voor Taal Land.ISBN90-5450-004-2.
  2. ^Intan Mardiana N, Endang Sriwigati, Yuni Astuti Ibrahim & Andini Perdana (2009). Agus Aris Munandar (ed.).Koleksi Pilihan 25 Museum di Indonesia.Direktorat Jenderal Kebudayaan. 5156648.{{cite book}}:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ^Arthur S. Nalan (2000).Sanghyang Raja Uyeg: dari sakral ke profan.Humaniora Utama Press.ISBN97-992-3137-X.
  4. ^Brahmanto Anindito (2015).Tiga Sandera Terakhir.Noura Books.ISBN978-60-209-8947-1.
  5. ^Saleh Danasasmita & Anis Djatisunda (1986).Kehidupan masyarakat Kanekes.Bagian Proyek Penelitian dan Pengkajian Kebudayaan Sunda (Sundanologi), Direktorat Jendral Kebudayaan, Departemen Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan.OCLC6801889.
  6. ^Edi Setiadi Putra (2011)."Interpretasi Visual terhadap Bentuk dan Fungsi Kujang Huma Pamangkas dengan Uji ANOVA (Analysis Of Variance) dan VAS (Visual Analog Scale)".Jurnal Rekarupa.1(1). Institut Teknologi Nasional.Retrieved21 February2017.