Sword

Klewang

Note: The following text is taken from a 19th-century collection catalog and, in its language and perspective, partially reflects colonial thought patterns. We present the text in its original version to make the collection's history transparent and promote a critical examination of the colonial legacy. Certain terms and formulations may be perceived as problematic today. A 2009 research project concluded that most descriptions are factually correct and still usable; only a few details were found to be inaccurate or incorrect. The results of this project were published in the following collection catalog: https://khm-wmw-tm-library.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1457155265

"27. Sword - "Kalewang".
The Kalewang is a kind of sword which is a one-edged short cutting/hacking weapon whose blade is thin at the handle but which becomes broader and heavier towards the head so that its center of gravity is as far away from the point of attack as possible. This makes the parry more difficult, however the cutting stroke is so much stronger. The Kalewang is the national weapon of nearly all the peoples of the Eastern Indian Archipelago. This weapon, thanks to its shortness, its manner of use, similar to the short Roman swords, is one of the most chivalrous of weapons. The native fights with it without cover, without a shield. The latter, wherever one is found, is only used for festivities as decoration; in battle it is unknown. With a naked body, and only armed with the Kalewang, the native charges his enemy and does not think about a parry, nor about cover; for this the weapon is awkward. The native does not think about defence but only about annihilation. He will either be killed or he will kill. The kalewang, which the Dutch troops have experienced in many expeditions for centuries, is terrifying for them. The dexterity, speed and power with which the natives use this weapon is enormous. The controlled stroke, the injury is terrible. The most courageous soldier who does not have time to fire a gun, and is only armed with a rifle, cannot withstand this weapon, nor can the troops in their lines when the "military worker" creates the greatest devastation as he hacks the enemy into little pieces, the act which the natives call "tjintjang". The advance fighters, who open each battle that the natives undertake, are consecrated by their priests for death, are drugged with opium, are clothed in white ritual death garments. They throw themselves in a blind fury at their enemies with wild leaps and frightening cries, swinging a kalewang in each hand; if the first bullet does not find its mark, and if the soldier does not have the time and peace to reload then he will assuredly be lost. The double blows of two lightening kalewangs makes every parry impossible. Usually enemy or soldier who is attacked is so consternated by this enraged, screaming and leaping man that he does not think about defending himself but rather turns to run, whereby he will be caught by the attacking native in a few steps, as by a cat, and will fall under the wild double blows of this weapon. Only solid fire-discipline is able to hold the enemy at bay and provide protection from this weapon.
In hand-to-hand combat the soldier will always be lost.
The present kalewang has a nicely carved hilt of horn which is bent at an angle to the cutting edge of the blade. The blade rests in a simple wooden sheath."

Translation of: Czurda, F. A. J. (1883). Catalog mit Erklärungen der Etnografischen Privatsammlung des Dr. F. A. J. Czurda in Postelberg (Böhmen). (p. 4-5). Wien, Wilhelm Braumüller