Hemola
A Hemola sword from Savu island, pre-1861.
TypeKlewang sword
Place of originIndonesia (Savu and Rote Island) and Timor
Service history
Used bySavu people, Rotenese people
Specifications
Lengthapproximately 53 cm (21 in) blade and 15 cm (5.9 in) handle
Blade typeSingle edge
Hilt typeWood, horse hair
Scabbard/sheathWood, horse hair

Hemola or Hemala is a traditional sword of the Savu people from Indonesia.[1] It is also called Tafa by the neighboring Rotenese people.[2]

Description

The Hemola has a straight, single-edged blade. The blade widens from the hilt towards the tip. The tip is angled off. The back of the blade is longer than the cutting edge. The hilt is made of wood and has a round wooden guard. The hilt is square in shape at the pommel area and often has a carved eye in the center that has a mythological background. The pommel is usually decorated with tufts of horsehair on three sides. The scabbards are made of wood, are in two parts and wrapped with rattan cords for better attachment. The shoe end of the scabbard is bent over and decorated with a tuft of horse hair.[3]

Culture

The Hemola sword is closely tied to the culture of the Savu people. It is even mentioned in their ethnic origin folklore.[4] It is used in pewue bangngu ceremony, a ritual for constructing or raising the beams of house building.[5] In other ceremonial rituals such as for warding off bad luck or mishap in opening a new place, one of the acts includes sacrificing a lamb with a Hemola sword.[6] The Hemola is also used in traditional dance of the Savu people.[7][8]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Geneviève Duggan & Hans Hägerdal (2018). Savu: History and Oral Tradition on an Island of Indonesia. NUS Press. p. 70. ISBN 978-98-147-2275-9.
  2. ↑ Albert G Van Zonneveld (2002). Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago. Koninklyk Instituut Voor Taal Land. p. 139. ISBN 90-5450-004-2.
  3. ↑ Albert G Van Zonneveld (2002). Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago. Koninklyk Instituut Voor Taal Land. p. 51. ISBN 90-5450-004-2.
  4. ↑ M. Widyatmika; B. Patty. A.Z. Soh; Piet. C. Kudu; E. Kopong (1982). Ahmad Yunus; Bambang Suwondo; Singgih Wibisono (ed.). Ceritera Rakyat Daerah Nusa Tenggara Timur. Direktorat Jenderal Kebudayaan. p. 70. OCLC 14918949.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ↑ Christoffel Kana & Rifai Abu (1986). Arsitektur Tradisional Daerah Nusa Tenggara Timur. Departemen Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan, Proyek Inventarisasi dan Dokumentasi Kebudayaan Daerah. p. 53. OCLC 16471325.
  6. ↑ Nico L. Kana (1983). Dunia orang Sawu. Penerbit Sinar Harapan. p. 70. OCLC 11264264.
  7. ↑ Sudarsono (1977). Tari-tarian Indonesia: Volume 1. Proyek Pengembangan Media Kebudayaan, Direktorat Jendral Kebudayaan, Departemen Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan. p. 197. OCLC 8111197.
  8. ↑ Tari-tarian Indonesia: Volume 1. Departemen Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan, Proyek Inventarisasi dan Dokumentasi Kebudayaan Daerah. 1985. p. 61. OCLC 1027455690.
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