Parang chandong

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Parang chandong
Native Malay parang, 1950 (c) NAM. 2003-04-110-1.png
An Iban-made parang chandong, used by a serviceman during the Malayan Emergency (1948–1957) as seen in the National Army Museum UK.
Type Parang (knife)
Place of origin Borneo (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia)
Service history
Used by Dayak people (Ibanese)
Specifications
Length40–50 cm (16–20 in)

Blade  typeSheepsfoot point blade with a single convex edge
Hilt  typeWood
Scabbard/sheath Wood

A parang chandong (also spelled as parang candong, parang candung, duku candong, or duku candung) is a traditional chopper used by the Dayak people (Ibanese) of the Baram River in Borneo. [1]

Contents

The parang candung is also the primary weapon of Sari Panji, a character in the Rajé Ngalam tale of Sambas Regency, West Kalimantan, Indonesia. [2]

Recently in the west, the parang chandong was popularized by Raymond Mears and is sometimes referred to as Ray Mears Parang.

This parang is also not to be confused with the candung in Lampung language, which refers to another type of golok in Lampung, Indonesia.

Description

The blade's edge is convex. The back is concave and curves towards the edge at the point. The centre of gravity lies near to the tip. The wooden scabbard's two parts are held together by means of rattan strips. The scabbard may be finely decorated, for instance with open-work carvings of floral motifs. [3]

BRITISH MUSEUM parang As1988,24.22.a.png
BRITISH MUSEUM parang-sheath As1988,24.22.b.png
A duku (means parang in Iban language) chandong from Baram River, mid 1970s-1980s.

See also

References

  1. Augustine Anggat Ganjing, Jonathan Singki (1991). Asas Ukiran Iban: Suatu Pengenalan. Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka. ISBN   983-62-1398-8.
  2. Chairil Effendy (2001). Teks Rajé Ngalam: Telaah Struktur Dan Resepsi. Pusat Bahasa, Departemen Pendidikan Nasional. ISBN   979-685-197-0.
  3. Albert G Van Zonneveld (2002). Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago. Koninklyk Instituut Voor Taal Land. ISBN   90-5450-004-2.