Ergonomics of Malay swords

Ergonomics (or human factors) is the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to optimize human well-being and overall system performance. (ergo-plus.com)

The warrior and their weapons is a complex system of elements that interact with each other. It is often said that the weapon is the extension of the warrior's hand, or a part of their body. This is true not just in the Malay World, but in other civilisations as well.

For a weapon to be truly effective, it needs to be able to carry out the tasks it was designed to do in the most efficient way. A sword should be able to cut, thrust, slice and (in some cases) chop effectively for it to be considered as a good sword. In order for the sword to be able to achieve optimal performance, it needs to be suited to the swordsman. The Malays have a saying, "ukur baju di badan sendiri" or measure your clothes on your own body. While this may have other metaphorical connotations, it is literally true when we talk about weapons measurements.

There are basically two types of Malay swords, based on their typology, weight distribution and practical usage. It is established that Malay swords are of the "selengan" or arm's length category, which means that they have a minimum requirement in blade length. This typically translates to about 3 jengkal jari manis (the span between the thumb and the ring finger) or on average 25-27 inches on a typical Malay man. This measurement does not include the hilt or handle of the sword.

A forward-heavy blade is usually used for ceremonial and execution purposes. Forward-heavy blades were also employed by cavalry (and in the Malay world, this could also mean elephant-mounted troops). These swords lack the agility and speed of blades that were more balanced towards the handle. Nonetheless, they were very much suited for their intended purposes.

Swords that were lighter and balanced closer to the handle were more nimble, and were often used as personal weapons. Single- and two-handed versions of these swords were available to the Malays. The single-handed Malay swords can be found in all  areas of the Malay world, with the two-handed variants more commonly occuring in the central and northern regions of the Tanah Melayu, all the way up into Pattani, Champa and as far north as Hokkaido.

These swords were designed in such a way that they should not hinder the movements of the wielder or cause them discomfort, especially during battle. A typical Malay sword weighs around 1kg (more or less), which is about the same weight as an European saber. Some examples may be lighter, while others may have a significantly heavier blade.

The handle or grip of the sword should fit nicely into the palm of the hand in order for the sword to be held properly. The dimensions of the hilt would often be matched with the measurements of the wielder's hand. Nowadays we often find contemporary examples of Malay swords with oversized grips, which may reflect upon the lack of understanding by newer smiths on the usage of the sword. Up to about 100 years ago, single-handed sword grips were often small and fits snugly into one's palm. This is known as segenggam. It greatly improves the handling and control of the blade, as opposed to swords with oversized grips.

A Malay sword has all sorts of measurements on it that reflect the person of the wielder. It truly represents its master, and is ergonomically fitted to become part of it's master's anatomy. While measurements taken may vary from one smith to another according to their respective philosophies, these measurements made sure that the resulting sword fits the wearer like a glove.

The Malay Sword

In my past articles I've touched briefly about silat and the keris. However, there is another Malay weapon that has not been thoroughly discussed before. This weapon has been mentioned in various Malay manuscripts and proses in the past, and is considered one of three ancestral Malay weapons. This weapon is also frequently misunderstood and some even question its existence in the Malay cosmos. This weapon is the pedang - the sword.

It is believed that the sword existed long before the keris came into its current form. Malay legends and folklores mentioned a number of swords that belonged to kings and members of the royal family. The sword is mentioned in Hikayat Malim Deman, Hikayat Hang Tuah, Sejarah Melayu and also Syair Siti Zubaidah Perang Cina. Nonetheless, it did not enjoy as much publicity as the keris did. 

The typical Malay sword is a single-edged weapon with a slightly curved blade and may be wielded by using one or two hands. Some were also straight, double-edged weapons. Swords were placed in the "selengan" or "arms' length" category and normally have blades between 23 to 29 inches in length. In some cases, the swords were shorter, with blades of about 18 to 21 inches in length. These short swords were sometimes knows as the sundang (not to be confused with the keris sundang). Swords were known by a multitude of names in the Malay civilization: jenawi, chenangkas, chunderik, sikin, podang and klewang are amongst the more familiar ones.

The most famous sword in the Malay civilization would probably be the Cura Si Manjakini, now in the possession of the Sultan of Perak. This blade is reputedly inherited from the Melaka Sultanate, which in turn had its origins in the tale of Sang Sapurba. Sang Sapurba is said to be the progenitor of the Malay Kings. Cura Si Manjakini can be likened to King Arthur's Excalibur of the Malay world. 

Interesting enough, this sword is in the form of a jenawi, a two-handed sword with a long, single-edged blade. The same type of sword is the official weapon of Seni Sukma Kencana, a Malay swordfighting system that has been in my family for generations.

May Peace be with us all. This is the Way.

Silat and the Keris (part 2)

Metalworking is by no means an easy task. Bladesmiths in the olden days were given high status by Kings and honoured in their courts. These artists of iron and steel were often called "master" and were considered magicians of metal craft. They were able to turn iron ore into finely crafted works of art. In the olden days, as it is now, the master bladesmith works with several other artists to produce one fine blade. There are smelters who prepare the steel, the blank makers who craft the initial form of the weapon, the bladesmith who forms the blank into a serviceable blade, the hilt and scabbard makers and the artists making the fittings.

Traditionally before starting the forging work, the master bladesmith would recite prayers asking for the blade to be blessed, and for safety during the forging process. He would also include the wishes of the future owner of the blade. A bladesmith not only makes the blade, but give the blade "life". Every strike of the hammer would have been followed by a specific citation or incantation. A blade often takes time to complete, and some very special blades take years to come into existence. 

Forging a blade is not like rolling dough for roti canai or sewing clothes. The smith works with five elements: wind, water, air, earth and fire to produce a fine blade that represents the soul of its future owner. Sometimes, the smith selects specific days or times during which he will work on the blade. There were stories that only a single strike of the hammer was allowed on a specific night to work on a blade. One needs to understand that with every strike of the hammer, a part of the smith is lost in the blade. A smith will pour his heart and soul into his creation as the prospective owner's life may depend on it. It is a sacrifice that all master smiths have to make. This is not Forged In Fire. This is REAL.

From a quantum point of view, the smith sends out positive vibrations to the universe, and by controlling the vibes that he sends out, he will receive the required vibes in return. This is why a smith selects the best and most suitable time for them to work. Some work in the day, some work at night. Some work on certains days, or during certain periods of the selected day. What I am imparting is actually a closely guarded secret amongst smiths, but I feel that the public needs to know In order to clear the air on why some blades take longer to make than others.

Everything in the Universe happens when there is synchronicity and balance. A smith knows best how and when to forge the ideal blade. If something is off, they would often delay the work to wait for the opportune moment. Blades forged not according to this formula are often "soulless" and "empty" and may even be harmful to the user. As such, clients of the respective smiths - those who understand, anyway - will never ask a smith when his blade will be completed. Some even say it's a taboo. A blade will be done once it is done. This point is also to illustrate that both parties were to exercise patience. Patience is the key to everything. 

Let me illustrate a case example. This was an actual event that happened to me. I commissioned another smith to traditionally forge a parang lading according to the specifications that I provided. I told the smith that this blade was to be "weaponised". Initially, he suggested a combination of different types of steel for the blade and several different materials for the hilt. As time went, the smith kept updating me (sometimes I would just say hi to him as a polite reminder). The materials that he suggested for the blade and hilt were changed several times because the smith "did not feel right about it". This went on for about a year. I understood the smith's processes so I just let him work. He is an artist, after all. Praise be to God, the parang lading was completed on the day of Arafah, on the eve of Eidul Adha. Such an auspicious date! And the moment the blade was handed to me, it gave me goosebumps. It felt perfect. Just the right weight, just the right balance. Even though the final product did not match my initial design, the smith managed to make it even better. I love that blade so much!

The same goes for keris and sword blades. Whenever these blades are "weaponised", it would be improper for the client to badger the smith into pushing him to finish off the weapon as soon as possible. And further adding insult to injury when the smith was labelled as a scammer and a fraud because he took too long to deliver. In Islam, we refer to this as qada' and qadar, fate and destiny. And patience is another key ingredient. This concept ties in closely to the quantum theory in science. If you push it, it will not turn out the way you would have wanted it. Just go with the flow and you will receive what you wished for... God provides us with what we need, not what we want. 

May Peace be with us all. This is the Way.

Silat and the Keris (part 1)

When we talk about silat, the keris would be inevitably mentioned. What is the keris and why is it so important to silat practitioners? This can be a very long and complex topic. There are many theories and opinions on the matter. In my understanding, the keris is a symbol and pride of the Malay people. It is part of our culture and costume. Prior to the 1800s, every adult Malay male would have had a keris tucked into his sash. It was never regarded as a weapon but as part of our daily dress. A keris represented the identity of its wearer. Nonetheless, it was Raffle's intervention in the 19th century that caused the keris to be designated as a dangerous weapon. He banned the wearing of the keris. Thousands of keris were either confiscated, hidden or destroyed.

There is no reason to fear the keris. Like the Japanese katana, it is an exquisite work of art. Every keris is unique and no two blades are the same. As unique as a person's fingerprint or DNA. For this reason, the keris represented its wearer - it was a sign of where they came from,  their social standing and even their personality traits. In a way, the keris was it's wearer's twin. In modern times, a keris could be likened to an identification card or personal document. Everything about the owner could be found embedded in the likeness of a keris.

The keris has a deep spiritual connection with its wearer, and by spiritual connection, I did not simply mean a supernatural one! Every blade was custom made to cater to the needs of a specific person. Some keris were made as a companion, some were made for trade while others were made for war. It may seem that the keris was regarded as a talisman (which is not permitted in Islam), but in truth, the making of a keris had very close ties to the quantum theory.

The combination of steel, wood and other materials resonated with the spirit of the wearer. A good keris will give out positive vibes to its wearer. The pamor or damascene patterns resulting from the pattern welding process also resonated certain energies that promote certain qualities towards the wearer and their audience. This reaction occurs on an atomic level. Materials such as gold, silver and brass added into the blade is said to have specific effects. 

One may wonder, how does this work? Imagine how certain events or situations can effect the psychological state and well-being of the people involved. Every object send unseen signals that can be felt on a cellular level and this in turn affects the individual involved. A keris works in the same way. Each blade has a personality of its own, and as such it emanated different signals towards the wearer and the public. Upon looking at a keris, a person subconsciously received signals - or quantum waves - that will affect their course of action. Some keris instill fear in those who behold them, some awe, not to mention affection and majesty. 

This is only a small part of the "magic" of the keris as a cultural icon and identity of the Malays, and of silat in general. The keris is a cultural object that could be used as a weapon, only when it was truly necessary. It was a deterrent to conflict. The mere angle at which the keris hilt was pointing could decide between life or death, war or peace...

This is the Way. May peace be upon us all...

Silat and Healing

There is an old saying, "you don't choose silat, silat chooses you". It was once considered an honour to be chosen to learn the art of Silat. Silat is the art of the warrior, the art of war. But silat is also the art of Peace, and a means of self-healing as well.

An art of war that heals? Sounds pretty far-fetched? Well, not really! If you have been following my previous articles on silat, you may have noticed that I said, "silat is able to educate its practitioner to become a better person, be it physically, mentally and spiritually". It is this "education" that I wish to address in this article.

How does silat heal? We currently live in a stressful world. Our mind, body and spirit are constantly under pressure to keep up with the times. Financial problems, relationship matters, studies... All of these tax the body, mind and spirit. We need to "let off some steam" once in a while.

The practice of silat is not only physical exercise, but it is a spiritual one as well. As one trains the body, the mind and the spirit follows as well. This is not unlike the practice of solat, the daily prayer routine of Muslims. In solat, one needs to maintain the body, mind and soul or spirit in synch. The same is true for silat. To practice silat totally physically without involving the mind and spirit is like doing something without a purpose or goal. Like eating just for the sake of eating. 

By properly observing the Way of Silat, one should gain a healthy body, a sound mind and a healthy spirit. The physical act of performing the silat moves in the "tari silat" or silat dance act as a form of muscular stretching and conditioning to keep the muscles and joints flexible. The more combative form of silat moves help with agility, concentration and coordination. 

As we practice these moves with purpose, the mind will focus on what the body is trying to achieve - form, precision, power, etc. When the body and mind synchronize, the spirit will be recharged. This is how silat "heals" its practitioner. When all three elements are in a balance, automatically other ailments will disappear, leaving a healthy body, a sound mind and a strong spirit.

May Peace be with us all. This is the Way.

*Photo credit Prof Hasnul Jamal Saidon

Silat and Patience

In my previous articles, I've stated that silat is able to educate its practitioner to become a better person, be it physically, mentally and spiritually. Through physical training and understanding the art itself, one can cultivate noble values - honour, virtue, integrity, patience... The ability to remain calm and composed in times of danger. The capability to think straight and act accordingly on the fly. This is what silat training is about.

A silat warrior should never lose their patience, but do not take this as a sign of weakness or inactivity. A true warrior calculates every move before the move is made. They anticipate the reaction of the enemy, they "read" their opponent. This is where the 100-1 principle sets in. Nonetheless, there is still the "1". When faced with this alternative, the silat warrior will go all the way, no holds barred. To them, it is either victory or martyrdom. 

Of late, we have been presented with multiple accounts of racial and religious provocation in Malaysia. I'd hate to recount the events that took place half a decade ago on May 13th... This was when the Malays were pushed beyond the limits of their tolerance and patience. 100 ways have been exhausted, leaving but 1 option. Believe me, nobody wants that course of action, but if push comes to shove, the silat warrior will not stand by just watching things unfold.

Even during the time of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, there was a time when it was necessary for a call to arms. It was when your honour, your families, your livelihood and your religion has been mocked and defiled. Your King dishonoured and spat at. No silat warrior would just let this be. The consequences will be very dire indeed. As such, I urge all parties to stop this nonsensical provocation of race and religion. It leads to nowhere but pain and suffering. Malaysia has been at peace for many years. Let's keep it that way.

Silat and Identity

Just a brief additional note... When we talk about silat, normally the subject of the keris will be mentioned. The keris is synonymous with the Malay. As a matter of fact, it is the identity of the Malays. No other cultural object has closer ties to the Malay people than the keris. 

To the general public, the keris is a stabbing weapon that was worn by the warriors of old, grooms in their wedding day and kings during official functions. It is rather strange for contemporary folk to see someone walking around in full traditional garb with a keris in their waist sash nowadays. However, thanks to various groups and individuals who fight to enlighten the people on matters of Malay culture, the keris is becoming increasingly accepted by the public as a part of the traditional Malay busana or attire.

I would like to add, however, that the keris is not just a weapon. It is a part of the traditional Malay dress and the traditional busana is not complete without a keris slit through the belt. It is a part of the Malay wardrobe, and it acted as the owner's identity card. The features of a keris can tell a lot about its owner. This is why the keris is often kept private and only shown to a precious few.

The "pakaian" or dress of a keris (i.e. its hilt, sheath and fittings) usually tell the beholder of the owner's origins and social standing. External (syariah) knowledge regarding the owner. Where he came from, what is his lineage and even his position in society. The bilah or blade reveals information of a more personal nature. As such, the keris is never drawn on a whim. A well-made keris contains crucial information about its owner, essentially his IDENTITY. 

It is also noteworthy that today is also Heroes' Day in Malaysia. A very fitting day to remember and  honour the SACRIFICE made by the men and women of our armed forces. They sacrificed everything to ensure that we are able to enjoy peace and harmony and keep our identity. This country has gone through her share of violence and oppression at the hands of foreigners and foreign ideals. We were faced with outright invasions, religious divergents, economic campaigns and yet the Malays have held on to their identity. 

A clear and present threat nowadays presents itself in the form of Communism. In the past, our heroes fought them in the jungles and mountains. Nowadays, they can be found in the streets. This is not a racist statement as Communism does not pertain to one particular race. It is an ideal that threatens the core of the Malay belief system. A threat to the Malay identity. A silat warrior stands against these ideals as they are in opposition to the principles of Islam and the Malay culture. Without a national identity promoted by cultural elements such as silat and the keris, a nation is bound to be doomed. This is the Way.