Origins of Keris & Theory Supporters

Keris and tosan aji and other traditional weapons to Indonesian cultural treasures, of course, after our ancestors knew iron. Various building stone temples built in the days before the 10th century proves that the Indonesian nation at that time already knew the equipment well enough iron, so that they can create sculptural works of high value. But if the Indonesian people to know when it keris culture as we know it today, experts can only arise raba.Gambar feeling (relief) that shows the most ancient iron tools found on stone inscriptions found in the village of Dakuwu, in the area Grabag, Magelang, Central Java. Seeing the form of his writings, it is estimated the inscription was made around the year 500 AD. Letters used, the letter Pallawa. The language used is language Sanskerta.Prasasti it mention about the existence of a spring clean and clear. Above the inscription was written there are a few pictures, including: a trident, ax, sickle kudi, and a dagger or knife that looks very similar to the artificial kris Sombro Nyi, a master craftsman of the era Pajajaran woman. There is also an awesome pitcher, kalasangka, and interest teratai.Kendi, in Old Javanese philosophy is the epitome of science, kalasangka symbolizes eternity, while the lotus flower symbol of harmony with nature.

Some Theory
There have been many cultural experts that discusses the history of existence and development of the keris and tosan aji. G.B. Gardner in 1936 had theorized that the keris is the development of forms of stabbing weapons prehistoric times, the tail bone or eliminated stingray sting base, then wrapped with a cloth on the stalk. That way it can be grasped weapons and carry. So be a dangerous stabbing weapon, according to the size of the time.
Meanwhile, Griffith Wilkens in 1937 argued that the emerging culture of the keris in the 14th century and 15. He said, the form of the kris is the growth of the spear form that is widely used by the nations which inhabit the islands between Asia and Australia. From the eyes that will arise javelin short weapons or stabbing weapons, which became known as the kris. Another reason, javelin or spear a long stem, not easy to carry anywhere. Difficult to infiltrate brought into the forest. Because at that time was not easy to get iron man, the eyes of the spear is released from the stem so that a handheld weapon.

Another opinion A.J. Barnet Kempers. In 1954 it assumed the form of ancient experts prototype form of the kris is the development of weapons of Bronze Age awl. The upper reaches Keris shaped figurine depicting humans and blend with the blade, by Barnet Kempers not regarded as extraordinary items.
He said, stabbing weapons from bronze Dong-son culture also shaped it. Upper reaches is a small statue depicting human being stood hands on hips (poor-Kerik, the Java language.) While the ancient stabbing weapons ever found in Kalimantan, on the upper reaches of the shape of people also distilir pinggang.Perkembangan hands on the basic form of stabbing weapon that can be compared with the development of weapons in Europe. On the continent, first, the sword also distilir of the second form of the Man with outstretched arms straight to the side. Hilt form, after the spread of Christianity, then developed into a similar shape of the cross.
In relation to the form in the Indonesian kris, dagger-shaped upstream humans (who distilir), some standing, some are bent, and some are squat, shape is similar to that found in the megalithic statue Playen, Gunung Kidul, Yogyakarta. In a later development, it forms more distilir again and now the form of upstream kris (in Java called deder, lined, or engraving) with decorative cecek, Gandul patra, patra ageng, pedestals, pedestals, etc..

In the history of our culture, statue or statues of people standing with a slightly bent, by some experts, interpreted as a symbol of the dead. While statues depicting humans with attitude squatting with legs bent, considered symbolize birth, childbirth, fertility, or life. Same with the attitude of the baby or fetus in the womb ibunya.Ada sebgian expert Western nations who do not believe that the dagger was made in Indonesia before the 14th century or 15. They based their theory on the fact that no clear picture on the reliefs of temples built before the 10th century. Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles in his History of Java (1817) said, no fewer than 30 types of weapons carried and used that time Javanese soldiers, including firearms. But from a variety of weapon, a dagger istimewa.Disebutkan occupies a position which in his book, Java soldiers generally holds three kris at once. Kris worn at the waist to the left, comes from the provision of time-in-law marriage (in Javanese culture called buttons bun). Kris worn at the waist right, arising from their own parents. In addition, various procedures and ethics in the world of the keris is also contained in the book that Raffles. Unfortunately, in his famous book, the English authorities had not mentioned anything about the history and cultural origins of the kris.
Meanwhile, the term 'kris' have been found in several ancient inscriptions. Inscribed bronze plate found in Karangtengah, numbered from the year 748 Saka, or 842 AD, mentions several types of offerings to establish Poh as a tax free zone, offering, among other form of 'sharps', wangkiul, tewek punukan, which Wesi penghatap.Kres aimed at both the stele is kris. While wangkiul is a kind of spear, tewek punukan is a double-edged weapon, such dwisula.

In the bas-relief paintings (relief) Borobudur Temple, Central Java, on the southeast corner of the bottom part, reflected some of the soldiers carrying a sharp weapon similar to the dagger that we know today. In the Prambanan Temple, Central Java, also depicted in relief, the giant brought a similar true stabbing weapon with a dagger. In Sewu, near Prambanan, also exist. Giant statues guard, slipped the blade sharp weapon, like keris.Sementara first and second editions were compiled by Prof. PA VAN DER Lith said, while the main stupa of Borobudur temple, built in 875 AD, were disassembled, found a keris old. Keris was fused between the blade and the upper reaches. But it did not form similar kris kris form depicted in temple reliefs. Keris these findings are now stored in the Museum Ethnografi, Leiden, The Netherlands. Details on the findings of the keris was written by Dr. H.H. Catalog JUYNBOHL in the Kingdom (The Netherlands) vol V, Year 1909. In the catalog that being said, the keris is considered 'keris Majapahit', upper reaches of the statue-shaped, the blade is very old. One side of the bar had been damaged. Keris, who was given the serial number 1834, it is the gift GJ HEYLIGERS, secretary Kedu Resident Office, in October 1845. The residennya at the time was Hartman. The length of a keris findings were 28.3 cm, 20.2 cm long upper reaches, and 4.8 cm wide. The shape is straight, not on luk.

Kris about this, many who doubted whether since the beginning it has been placed in the center hole main stupa of Borobudur temple. Barnet Kempres own dagger suspect was placed by someone in those days later, away days after the Borobudur Temple was completed. So it was not at the time of its construction.

There is also a suspect, kris culture has developed since the year 1000 AD. This opinion is based on the reports seeorang Chinese travelers in the year 922 AD. So the report was made about the time of Kahuripan growing on the banks of Kali Brantas, East Java. According to the report, there is one Java Maharaja presented to the Emperor of China "a short swords with hilts of rhinoceros horn or gold (with a short sword upstream of the horn is made of rhinoceros or gold). Could be short sword is referred to in the report is like a dagger protoptipe depicted on the reliefs of Borobudur and Prambanan temple.
A keris which is marked with a number of years on the blade, is owned by a Dutchman named Knaud in Batavia (the Dutch period first). In addition there is a keris that arise puppet image around, also framed the Saka year 1264, or 1324 AD. So roughly contemporary with the time development Upgrading Temple near the town of Blitar, East Java. In this temple there was indeed a giant statue of Kala that bears his short dagger straight.
Figure out exactly what the dagger found in a statue dating back to Siwa Singasari Kingdom, in the 14th century. Described by Lord Shiva was holding a long dagger in his right hand. Jelasini not mock statue of Lord Shiva from India, because India had never seen a statue of Shiva holding a dagger. The statue is now stored in the Museum of Leiden, The Netherlands.

In subsequent eras, the many temples built in East Java, which has a picture on the wall relief kris. For example on Jajagu Jago Temple or Temple, which was built in 1268 AD. In that temple there is a relief depicting the Pandavas (puppet) were playing dice. Clown-servants are painted on the back depicted carrying a dagger. Similarly, in the temples located in this area, Pare, near Kediri, and Temple Panataran. In the second temple reliefs are painted figures holding a keris.
The story about a clearer kris can be read from the report of a Chinese traveler named Ma Huan. In his report Yingyai Sheng-lan in 1416 AD he wrote his experience when visiting the Kingdom of Majapahit.

When he arrived in the entourage of Admiral Cheng-ho on the orders of Emperor Yen Tsung of the Ming Dynasty. In Majapahit, Ma Huan see that almost all men in the country wearing pulak, since I was a kid, even since I was three years old. The so-called pulak by Ma Huan is a kind of dagger straight or winding. Ayang clearly meant is keris.Kata Ma Huan in laoparan it: These daggers have very thin stripes and Within flowers and made of very best steel; the handle is of gold, rhinoceros, or ivory, cut into the shapeof human or devil faces and finished carefully.

This report proves that at times it has been known to stab weapon-making techniques with an ornament prestige to the image of very thin stripes and whitish flowers. These weapons are made with prime quality steel. Grip, or the upper reaches, made of gold, rhinoceros horn, or gading.Tak doubt, of course, that meant Ma Huan is a dagger in his report that we know today.

Figure arise about how making kris, can be witnessed in the Temple Sukuh, on the slopes of Mount Lawu, on the border of Central Java and East Java. In candra sengkala Memet in the temple, legible numbers Saka year 1316 or 1439 AD.

How to manufacture depicted in the temple keris is not much different from the way of making kris kris today. Good working equipment, hammer and bellows, as well as his work in the form of the kris, spears, kudi, etc..