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Home -> Glossary of Terms

Keris Terminology

Translation: Roderick C. Wahr

In the culture of the keris there are several terminologies that may sound strange to the layman. Understanding these terms will be very useful in the process of getting a better understanding of the keris. The terms most used in the world of the keris, especially on the island of Java, are: angsar, dapur (=kitchen), pamor (prestige), perabot (tool), tangguh (estimation), tanjeg, and others.

Compiled alphabetically, below is a short review regarding the keris. These terms are generally used on the islands of Java and Madura, but understood and occasionally also used in other areas, like Sulawesi, Sumatra, and even in Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei Darussalam.

Angsar

is the supernatural power that some people believe can be found in a keris. That supernatural or the magical power cannot be seen, but can be felt by the believer. Angsar can have a good or posistive influence, but it could also be the reverse.
Basically, all kerisses have a good angsar. But sometimes that good angsar is not necessarily compatible for everyone. For example, a keris that has a good angsar for a soldier, almost certainly is not suitable if it is owned by a trader. A keris that has a good angsar for a leader with many subordinates, is not appropriate for a low-ranking official.
To get to know the angsar of a keris, requires knowledge of tanjeg. Whereas to know if the angsar of a keris is suitable for someone, requires knowledge of tayuh.

Dapur

Dapur is the Indonesian word for kitchen. This term is used to describe the shape or type of a keris. By mentioning the dapur name of the keris, a knowledgeable person will know immediately which kind of keris is meant. For example, if someone says: "That keris is from the Tilam Upih dapur", the listener will immediately know that the keris mentioned is a straight keris, not a keris with indents (luk). In another case, if they say that the dapur is Sabuk Inten, then it must be a keris that has eleven luk.

The keris world in the Javanese community recognizes more than 145 kinds of keris dapur. However, from that number, those regarded as standard keris dapur or which follow standards, are only approximately 120 kinds.

Serat Centini, one of the register sources regarded as a definitive guide for keris dapur contains details of a number of keris' dapur as follows:

The straight keris has 40 kinds of dapur. The keris with three luk has 11 kinds. The keris with five luk has 12 kinds. The keris with seven luk has 8 kinds. The keris with nine luk has 13 kinds. The keris with eleven luk has 10 kinds. The keris with thirteen luk has 11 kinds. The keris with fifteen luk has 3 kinds. The keris with seventeen luk has 2 kinds. The kerisses with nineteen luk to twentynine luk, each has different kinds.
However, according to the manuscript Empu History, an effort of Prince Wijil, the number of dapur considered standard are even more. That reference shows that there are 44 kinds of straight keris' dapur, the three luk has 13 kinds, the eleven luk has 10 kinds, the thirteen luk has 11 kinds, the fifteen luk has 6 kinds, the seventeen luk has 2 kinds, the nineteen luk to twenty-nine luk has two kinds, and the thirty-five luk has one.
The number of dapurs known up to the 1990 's decade, is even higher.

Luk

This term is used for a keris that is not straight, but curved or dented. The number of luk in a keris are always uneven, never even. The count starts from luk three to luk thirteen. That is a normal keris. If there are more than 13 luk it is regarded to be a keris that is not normal, it is then called a kalawijan keris or palawijan.
The number of luk of a keris is always uneven, never even. Moreover, the rhythm of a keris luk is divided into three groups. Firstly, a luk that is shallow or vague. Secondly, a moderate luk. And thirdly, a deep luk -- of which the rhythm of the luk is prominent.

Mas kawin

In the keris world an amount of money is paid or other goods are exchanged for the transaction or the transfer of the proprietary rights of a keris, a sword, or a spear. In simple words, a dowry or bridal gift as a price.
The term Dowry or Bridal Gift is used because in the keris community it is believed that the contents of a keris must be compatible with its owner. If the contents of the keris is predestined, the owner will receive luck, whereas otherwise you will receive bad luck. In the keris world there is also the term melamar (courting) if someone is interested in buying a keris.

Mendak

is the term for a keris ring, which is used on the islands of Java, Bali, and Madura. In other areas usually the term cincin keris (keris ring) is used. Mendak is most always made from metal: gold, silver, brass, or copper. Many among them are beautified with a diamond. In the past there were also mendak made of precious iron.
Apart from as luxury decoration, mendak also functions as separation between the hulu or ukiran (hilt) of the keris and the part of the sheath.

Pamor Wos Wutah

Pamor Miring

Pamor

Pamor (Prestige) in the keris world has 3 meanings. The first is related to the material it is made of; for example: meteorite pamor, Luwu pamor, nickel pamor, and sanak pamor. The second meaning is related to the form of its drawing or its shape. For example: pamor Ngulit Semangka (peel of the watermelon), Beras Wutah (rice grain), Ri Wader, Adeg, etc. The third is related to the technology used for its production, for example: pamor mlumah, pamor miring, and pamor puntiran (torsion).

Moreover, depending on the empu's (keris master) intention, the pamor pattern created could still be subdivided into two groups. If the empu makes the pamor of the keris without designing its pattern, then the pattern of the pamor created is called pamor tiban. The form of the pamor pattern will be regarded a gift from God. On the other hand, if the empu had designed the pamor beforehand, it would be called pamor rekan [rékan is derived from the word réka = rekayasa (designing)]. An example of a pamor tiban, for instance: the Beras Wutah, Ngulit Semangka, Pulo Tirta (water). An example of pamor rekan, for instance: Udan Mas, Ron Genduru, Blarak Sinered, and Untu Walang.

There are also pamor titipan (entrusted goods) or pamor ceblokan, namely the pamor following after production, after a keris is finished for 90 percent. That pamor pattern following after the end of the process of keris production. For example, pamor Kul Buntet, Batu Lapak, etc..

Pendok

Pendok

functions as protection or layer for the wooden sheath (gandar), it is part of the keris's sheath which is made from soft wood. However, that protective function afterwards becomes a means to display luxury. A simple pendok is usually made from brass or copper, but a luxurious one is made from silver or gold set with jewels.
There are a few shapes of pendok, i.e. pendok bunton, blewehan, slorok, and topengan.

Perabot

In the keris world, the accessories of a keris are called perabot (tools) keris. These additions or accessories include the warangka or the sheath for the keris, ukiran (=wood carving) or hulu (=hilt) of the keris, mendak or keris ring, selut (=ooze) or pedongkok (keris ring), and pendok (=soft wooden sheath) or logam pelapis (coin layers) for the sheath.

Ricikan

are parts or components of a keris or spear. Each part of a keris has a name. In the world of the keris, as far as ricikan are concerned, this is important, because it is very closely related to the dapur and tangguh of the keris. A keris with a Jalak Sangu Tumpeng dapur has the property of being straight, using a plain gandik (decoration), pejetan, sogokan rangkap, tikel alis, and tingil. A plain gandik (decoration), pejetan, sogokan rangkap, tikel alis, and tingil, are the keris components called ricikan.

Selut

Like the mendak, is made of gold or silver, set with jewels. But the function of the selut is limited only as decoration to show off luxury. Viewed from its shape and measurement, the selut is divided in two kinds, which are nyeruk pecel which is small, and selut njeruk keprok which are decorated with diamonds of which the value can be up to 20 million Rupiah (2002). Since it is considered to show too much luxury, not everybody wants to wear a keris with selut decoration. (The litteral translation for selut is: ooze).

Tangguh

The literal meaning of tangguh is guess or estimation. In the world of the keris it means the estimation of the period when the keris was made, the estimated place of production, or its style. Since it is only an estimation, a keris tangguh can be erroneous or wrong. If a keris is called tangguh Blambangan, whereas it really is tangguh Majapahit, the error could be understandable because the shape of a keris of both tangguh are similar. But if a new keris is called tangguh Jenggala, it is clear that that person is not an expert in tangguh. Although it is an estimate, not just anyone can determine the tangguh of a keris. For that reason one must learn from an expert in tangguh, and carefully observe thousands of kerisses. One also must possess a strong photographic memory.

Mas Ngabehi Wirasoekadga, palace servant of the Keraton Kasunanan, Surakarta, recognizes 20 keris tangguh, in his book Pananguhing Duwung (Sadubudi, Solo, 1955). He does not mention the Yogyakarta tangguh except for tangguh Ngenta-enta, which is located near Yogya. The twenty tangguh are:

1. Pajajaran	2. Tuban	3. Madura	4. Blambangan	5. Majapahit
6. Sedayu	7. Jenu	8. Tiris-dayu	9. Setra-banyu	10. Madiun
11. Demak	12. Kudus	13. Cirebon	14. Pajang	15. Pajang
16. Mataram	17. Ngenta-enta,Yogyakarta	18. Kartasura	19. Surakarta

The Budha keris and tangguh Kabudan, eventhough widely known by the community, are not mentioned in the books referring to tangguh. Perhaps because the keris dapur which are supposed to be in the tangguh Kabudan are only a few, only two shapes, i.e. jalak Budha and betok Budha.

Meanwhile Bambang Harsrinuksmo, in the Ensiklopedi Keris (Gramedia, Jakarta 2004), divides periods of the keris into 22 tangguh, which are:

1. Tangguh Segaluh	2. Tangguh Pajajaran
3. Tangguh Kahuripan	4. Tangguh Jenggala
5. Tangguh Singasari	6. Tangguh Majapahit
7. Tangguh Madura	8. Tangguh Blambangan
9. Tangguh Sedayu	10. Tangguh Tuban
11. Tangguh Sendang	12. Tangguh Pengging
13. Tangguh Demak	14. Tangguh Panjang
15. Tangguh Madiun	16. Tangguh Koripan
17. Tangguh Mataram Senopaten	18. Mataram Sultan Agung
19. Mataram Amangkuratan	20. Tangguh Cirebon
21. Tangguh Surakarta	22. Tangguh Yogyakarta

There is also a period of the keris which is very easy to estimate, which is the Budha period. The Budha keris is easy to recognise because it is always short, wide, thick, and heavy. What is difficult to distinguish is whether it is an original or a fake.

Tanjeg

is the estimation of the benefit or prestige of the keris, the spear, or tosan aji (royal weapon). Some keris lovers believe that a keris has isi (content), which is called angsar. The use or benefit of angsar of a keris are many. There are those that increase the feeling of self-confidence, those that make it smoother to make friends, those that let their advice be heard by people. To know all the benefits of the angsar, it is necessary to know tanjeg. In the world of the keris, tanjeg knowledge is included in the esoteri of the keris.

Tayuh

is the estimation of compatibility or not, of the angsar of a keris with its (prospective) owner. Before deciding whether to buy a keris (pay its Mas Kawin - bridal gift), the candidate will usually 'tayuh', estimate, compatibility with the keris beforehand. The aim is to find out whether that keris is compatible or is destined to be for him.

Ukiran Surakarta

Ukiran/Hulu

Ukiran is handle or hilt in the world of the keris. Its meaning is different from the Indonesian word 'ukiran' which is carving or engraving. A keris handle is called danganan in Bali, in Madura it is called landheyan, in Surakarta jejeran, in Yogyakarta deder. In other areas of Indonesia and Malaysia, Singapore, as well as Brunei Darussalam it is called the hulu of a keris.

Javakeris uses the term ukiran and the hulu of a keris tells us that all of that area knows and understands ukiran when speaking of the keris. The shape of the ukiran or the hulu of the keris is different in each area.

Below are examples of shapes of keris hulus from several areas:

Warangka

or sheath of the keris is usually made from fibrous wood and is beautifully textured. However in several areas there are also keris sheaths made of ivory, water buffalo horns, and even of ancient animal fossils. The warangka of a keris is always made beautifully and very often luxuriously. For that reason the warangka is also used to show off its owner's social standing.
The shape of the keris warangka is different from one area to the next. However, in one area there are often several kinds of warangka shapes. The difference in shape of this warangka makes it easy for someone to differentiate them while at the same time getting to know kerisses from Bali, Palembang, Riau, Madura, Java, Bugis, Bima, or Malaysia.

Here are a few types of warangka from several keris areas:

Ladrang Kadipaten

Warangka Surakarta

is usually made of fragrant sandalwood or sandalwood from Sumbawa (sandalwood - Santalum Album L.). A second choice is made from kayu trembalo, after that comes kayu timaha pelet (kayu=wood). Warangka Ladrang is divided into four main shapes, i.e. Ladrang Kasatriyan, Ladrang Kadipaten, Ladrang Capu, and Ladrang Kacir. The two last shapes are now rarely made and therefore have become rare.
Warangka Ladrang is a kind of warangka that is worn when attending ceremonies, festivities, and the user is not on duty. If compared to a military uniform, the Warangka Ladrang is classified as Pakaian Dinas Upacara (PDU), Ceremonial Uniform.

In Surakarta there are, apart from Ladrang, also Warangka Gayaman, which is worn when someone is on duty. For example, a member of a wedding committee, plays the gamelan, or is a performer. A soldier of the keraton while on duty always wears a Warangka Gayaman.

Of the Surakarta Warangka Gayaman there are also several kinds, among them: Gayaman Gandon, Gayaman Pelokan, Gayaman Ladrang, Gayaman Bancigan, Gayaman Wayang.

The third kind of warangka is the Warangka Sandang Walikat (walikat=clothing). It has a simple shape and does not easily fall apart. This kind of warangka is used whenever someone brings (not wears) a keris on a trip.

Warangka Yogyakarta

The shape of the Yogyakarta warangka resembles that of Surakarta, only it is rather smaller, it's style is more compact. The one which shape is like the Warangka Ladrang, is called branggah in Yogyakarta. The wood of which the Warangka Branggah is made in Yogyakarta is kayu trembalo and timaha. In fact the use of Warangka Branggah in Yogyakarta is the same as that of the Warangka Ladrang in Surakarta, but for the last few decades this standard is no longer as stringent within the community.
The other shape of Yogyakarta warangka is Gayaman. In the past there were approximately eight kinds of Warangka Gayaman, but nowadays there are only two kinds of warangka models popular, i.e. Gayaman Ngabehan and Gayaman Banaran. The Warangka Gayaman is worn when someone does not take part in a ceremony.
The third shape of warangka is Sandang Walikat, of which can be said that its shape is the same as Sandang Walikat Surakarta style.

Source: Java Keris