Kalis
Encyclopedia
A kalis is a type of double-edged Filipino
sword
, often with a "wavy" section, similar to a kris
. Unlike the kris, the Kalis's double-edged blade can be used for both cutting and thrusting.
The wavy portion of the kalis is said to be meant to facilitate easier slashing in battle - since a straight edge tends to get stuck in the opponent's bones, the wavy portion allows the kalis' bearer to more easily pull the weapon out of his opponent's body.
Modern tourist keris blades can be distinguished by a number of features that once identified are quite easy to spot. Perhaps the easiest to identify feature of a modern tourist/fake keris blade are the shaping of the waves. Traditional keris feature gracefully undulating waves that are forged deep into the blade to penetrate straight to the centerline of the blade. Tourist keris, on the other hand, feature shallow angular waves, that appear to be cut out of the steel rather than forged into the blade.
in Indonesia
. From there the Kalis migrated to the Philippines
. Countries in which the Kalis is considered to be one of the main weapons include Malaysia and some other countries in Southeast Asia
.
The Kalis is available in different shapes and sizes. Usually, the Kalis has a special blade that is straight at the top and has a wavy shape at the handle. All the Filipino types of Kalis swords are both larger and heavier than those from Indonesia. Although it is considered to be a slashing weapon, the Kalis has a special thrusting power which is very dynamic.
Its durability and sharpness can be comparable to the Japanese katana. Kalis can easily cut some hard objects. These types of swords are made by smiths in several Filipino tribes.
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
sword
Sword
A sword is a bladed weapon used primarily for cutting or thrusting. The precise definition of the term varies with the historical epoch or the geographical region under consideration...
, often with a "wavy" section, similar to a kris
Kris
The kris or keris is an asymmetrical dagger or sword nowadays most strongly associated with the culture of Indonesia, but also indigenous to Malaysia, Southern Thailand and Brunei. It is known as kalis in the southern Philippines. The kris is famous for its distinctive wavy blade , but many have...
. Unlike the kris, the Kalis's double-edged blade can be used for both cutting and thrusting.
The wavy portion of the kalis is said to be meant to facilitate easier slashing in battle - since a straight edge tends to get stuck in the opponent's bones, the wavy portion allows the kalis' bearer to more easily pull the weapon out of his opponent's body.
Blade
The keris blade is defined as one that is wide on the base and double-edged. It is capable of delivering both chopping and slicing cuts. While many assume the traditional form of the keris is the fully wavy blade, the half-waved half-straight, as well as the fully straight blades, are equally if not more common, as straight blades were more practical in combat. Moro kris blades generally range in size from 18 to 26 inches (46 to 66 cm), though as with all Moro weapons there are exceptions. Generally however, the larger blades are found on later pieces, while the oldest Moro Kris tend to be of smaller stature. Damascene patterning is sometimes evident though often not as controlled as seen in the complex pattern welding of the smaller Malay keris.Guard (gangya)
The gangya (guard) of a keris blade is made in such a manner that their lines flow very elegantly into the blade, never interrupting in continuity from transition from gangya proper to blade. Antique keris (keris made before 1930) were made with a separate gangya (guard) like their Malay cousins, while more modern made keris lack this feature and have gangya that are in fact integral to the blade. Some newer keris do have an engraved line to simulate the appearance of a separate gangya, but when inspected closely it is evident that this is only a cosmetic engraved line, and not a true separate gangya. At some point near the early 19th century, gangya started to be made with a distinct 45-degree angle near the terminus. Opposite the hook-like fretwork on the gangya, exists a curved cavity. It has been suggested that this cavity is representative of the trunk of an elephant, others contend that it is the mouth of the naga (serpent) with the blade being the tail, and still others contend that it is in fact the open mouth of an eagle.Modern tourist keris blades can be distinguished by a number of features that once identified are quite easy to spot. Perhaps the easiest to identify feature of a modern tourist/fake keris blade are the shaping of the waves. Traditional keris feature gracefully undulating waves that are forged deep into the blade to penetrate straight to the centerline of the blade. Tourist keris, on the other hand, feature shallow angular waves, that appear to be cut out of the steel rather than forged into the blade.
Hilt
The hilt, or handle of keris are either straight or slightly curved (most common on cockatua pommel hilts). Pommel variations are many, however the most common are the horse-hoof (the most distinctive variation coming from the Sulu Sultanate) and the cockatua. Commonly the pommel is made of beautiful hardwood burl (such as banati) with the hilt being wrapped in a lacquered natural fiber (such as jute). However on higher end keris, belonging to the upper class, the pommel would be made of such exotic materials as ivory, silver plating, solid brass, etc. with hilts often lavishly bound with silver or swasaa (an alloyed mixture of gold similar to red-gold) bands frequently with braided silver wire interspersing the chased bands.Scabbard
The Moro keris scabbard shares many common characteristics with their Malay cousins, but are unique in their own style and form. Scabbards tended to be made of wide grain native hardwoods (e.g. mahogany, teak, narra, etc.), and lashed together with rattan bindings. Sometimes the cross-piece is a separate piece, with the tail-piece socketed in, but quite often the cross-piece and tail are made of one board. Older scabbards feature wider rattan lashings, and normally only cover small sections (e.g. bottom 1/3, 4 inch bands, etc.) of the scabbard.Other information
It is believed that the Kalis first appeared in the 13th century, originally from the island of JavaJava
Java is an island of Indonesia. With a population of 135 million , it is the world's most populous island, and one of the most densely populated regions in the world. It is home to 60% of Indonesia's population. The Indonesian capital city, Jakarta, is in west Java...
in Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
. From there the Kalis migrated to the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. Countries in which the Kalis is considered to be one of the main weapons include Malaysia and some other countries in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
.
The Kalis is available in different shapes and sizes. Usually, the Kalis has a special blade that is straight at the top and has a wavy shape at the handle. All the Filipino types of Kalis swords are both larger and heavier than those from Indonesia. Although it is considered to be a slashing weapon, the Kalis has a special thrusting power which is very dynamic.
Its durability and sharpness can be comparable to the Japanese katana. Kalis can easily cut some hard objects. These types of swords are made by smiths in several Filipino tribes.
See also
- Filipino Martial ArtsFilipino martial artsFilipino Martial Arts refers to ancient and newer fighting methods devised in the Philippines, the most popular of which are known as Arnis/Eskrima/Kali. The intrinsic need for self-preservation was the genesis of these systems. Throughout the ages, invaders and evolving local conflict imposed new...
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- KampilanKampilanThe kampílan is a type of single-edged long sword of the Filipino people. Being ancient origin, it has been used in the Philippine islands of Mindanao, Visayas, and Luzon for centuries, used for head-chopping....
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- BarongBarong (knife)The barong is a thick, leaf-shaped, single-edged blade sword. It is a weapon used by Islamic tribes in the Southern Philippines.- Description :-Blade:...