Code: IN58
This is a rarely found Dua Lalan sword, c. late 19th to early 20th C., of the Toraja ethnic group who reside the mountainous regions of central Sulawesi, Indonesia.
OAL is 70.5cms in the scabbard, 67.5cms out. The thick straight 49cm long blade shows a lovely pamor throughout its surfaces. The pamor is not yet identified.
The finely carved horn hilt shows tribal geometric patterns to the side faces and its spine. It is rattan bound towards the blade with the wood scabbard also bound in rattan for most of its length and has a large horn ferrule to the base. The shape of a Dua Lalan hilt is said to resemble a hornbill’s head. The hilt is wrapped at the base with blackened rattan to help secure it to the blade. The hilt is decorated with carved floral designs and tacks.
Dua Lalan means “dual purpose”. In this case, one purpose is the ritual slaughter of a water buffalo for funeral sacrifice. The other purpose is a weapon of war. The Toraja people were very good at both. In addition to the dua lalan sword, in war the Toraja used spears and blowpipes with poisonous darts.
Read more about the Toraja
