Mandau

In the past if there was war, ethnic Dayaks in general using their trademark weapons,”Mandau”.”Mandau” is an heirloom that generations used by the Dayak tribes and regarded as a sacred object. Besides being used at the time of the battle Mandau is also commonly used by the Dayak tribes to accompany them in performing their daily activities, such as slashing or cutting meat, herbs, or other objects that need to be cut.

Usually the layman will often confusion between “Mandau” and “Ambang”. Lay people or people who are not accustomed to seeing or even holding the saber will be difficult to distinguish between “Mandau” with  “Ambang” because when viewed in plain view is both about the same. However, both are very different. But if we look in more detail later on it will show a very significant difference, ie there are carvings on the Mandau or the encrusted gold, copper, or silver and Mandau more powerful and flexible, because the saber made of mountain stone containing iron and processed by an expert. While the ambang is only made of ordinary iron.

Ambang Birang,Bitang mandau or Adjunct Pono Kajau should be stored and cared for a special place to honor. Because of the Dayak tribes believe that Mandau has a spiritual power that will protect the owner from attacks or malicious intent of his opponents. And the Mandau is also believed to be guarded by a woman, and if the owner is a dream Mandau met with women who inhabit the Mandau, means the owner will get a fortune.

Besides Mandau made of iron and carved volcanic rocks, returned or upstream Mandau (a place for holding) made using buffalo horn carving in to the back of his black. And using deer antlers for the home, which is white. Making home can also use wood kayamihing. At the end of the home were given or placed fur or human hair. To be able tight a Mandau with a home can use the sap wood which proved to be very strong sambun to tighten.after then tied it again with jangang, but if jangang hard to find can use uei (rattan).

Mantikei iron used to manufacture the raw materials can be found in areas Shells saber Gambir, Jangkang Karo rivers, tributaries of the river Mantikei Samba deviation Katingan river, and villages Atei tumbles.

Presumably incomplete if it does not have kumpang Mandau. Kumpang is called glove for Mandau, Mandau kumpang Gated entry of the eye is usually coated antlers saber. In kumpang Mandau given tempuser statute, namely made of woven ties uei (rattan).

On the front kumpang made a glove save langgei puai small place. Langgei puai is a type of small knife as a complement to saber. Stem length of about 20 cm from the eye anggei, shape smaller than the stem. Function of langgei puai is to smooth or clean objects, for example rattan. Gloves or kumpang langgei always embedded in kumpang Mandau.So that it can be said that between saber and langgei puai is a unity that can not be separated.

Weapons ambang, Bitang mandau, dayak, encrusted, Gambir, jangang, Kumpang, langgei puai, mandau