Niabor

Niabor
A Niabor, pre-1887.
Type	Sword, Cutlass
Place of origin	Borneo: Indonesia (West Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan) Malaysia (Sarawak)
Service history
Used by	Dayak people (Iban / Sea Dayak)
Specifications
Length	60–90 cm (24–35 in)
Blade  type	Single edge, convex grind
Hilt  type	Antler/deer horn, wood
Scabbard/sheath	Wood

A niabor (other names include beadah, naibor, nyabor, nyabur, parang njabur laki-laki) is a curved sword from Borneo, a characteristic weapon of the Sea-Dayaks. ^[1]

Description

The niabor's blade has a convex edge and concave back, broadening towards the tip so that the center of gravity lies at the point. The edge curves slightly toward the tip. The blade usually has one or more broken hollow sections and no midrib, and is usually not decorated. In some versions, a nose-shaped projection is forged to the blade, which is seated on the cutting edge. This projection, called kundieng, serves as a kind of parry and finger guard; it is typical of these swords. Below the finger guard, the blade is rectangular. This portion is called sangau. The portion between the finger guard and the hilt is called temporian. The hilt is made of antler or deer horn, like that of the mandau. The pommel is carved in the traditional way and never decorated with animal hair. ^[2]

The niabor is very similar to another Sea Dayak sword called langgai tinggang. The name "niabor" should not be mistaken for parang nabur.

See also

• Indonesia portal
• Malaysia portal

• Langgai Tinggang
• Mandau
• Pakayun

References

1. British Association for the Advancement of Science (1901). Report of the Annual Meeting, Volume 71. J. Murray.
2. Albert G Van Zonneveld (2002). Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago. Koninklyk Instituut Voor Taal Land. ISBN   90-5450-004-2.

Further reading

• George Cameron Stone; Donald J. LaRocca (1999). A Glossary of The Construction, Decoration and Use of Arms and Armor: In All Countries and In All Times . Courier Dover Publications. ISBN   978-0-486-40726-5.
• Mason, Otis Tufton; Donald J. LaRocca (1895). The Origins of Invention: A Study of Industry Among Primitive Peoples. Books for Libraries Press. ASIN   B00AZZN5AC.
• Evangelista, Nick; William M. Gaugler (1995). The Encyclopedia of The Sword. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN   978-0-313-27896-9.
• Gertwagen, Ruth; Avshalom Zemer; Rena Minkoff (2002). Pirates, The Skull and Crossbones. Haifa Museums, The National Maritime Museum. ISBN   978-965-7067-38-3.