Subject: 'alim religious warrior
Culture: Achinese
Setting: Dutch war, Aceh 1873-1904
Object: swords
Sikin Panjang
* van Zonneveld 2001 p124-125
"SIKIN PANJANG ... NORTH SUMATRA
The sikin panjang (meaning: 'long sikin') is the most popular fighting weapon of the inhabitants of north Sumatra. In the early years of the Aceh War against the Dutch (which began in 1873 and lasted for over thirty years) many sikins were made, especially prior to 1879 when a start was made with the disarmament of the population. The spread of the sikin panjang is limited to Sumatra, and especially to Aceh and Gayo (where the term luju naru is used), but also in Alas (where it is named andar) and to a lesser degree in the Batak area.
"Characteristic for the sikin panjang is the blade's shape. Similar blades only occur with the luju alang and with the daggers sikin lapan sagu and the lopah petawaran. The weapon is always provided with a scabbard, and is carried in the belt. The sikin panjang has the following main segments: blade (wilah), hilt (hulu), scabbard (sarung). The blade is completely straight whereby the edge and the back run parallel. Near the tip the edge curves off towards the back. Along the back from the hilt onwards for c.2/3 of the blade, we find on both sides a broad, rather shallow groove. The cross-section of the blade is wedge-shaped. At the hilt we see a stem-ring forged in one piece with the blade. This stem-ring has eight or sometimes nine angles (sepals). The tang (the projection at the base of the blade) is also forged in one piece with the blade, and is glued into the hilt with resin. Sometimes the blade may be damascened (kuree) giving it a flamed, veined appearance. These veins (reuta) are considered to be auspicious or inauspicious signs by cognoscenti. The blade sometimes has gold-wire incrustations. Such a weapon is called sikin panjang meutatah."Peudeung
* van Zonneveld 2001 p101
"PEDANG I SUMATRA
A curved pedang of mainly foreign fabrication. The people of Sumatra regard it as less suitable for combat. They prefer the point of gravity to be nearer the blade's point. This pedang has for the most part become a ceremonial weapon, and thus an expensive item.
"[...] The hilt, hulu meu apet (Aceh), has sa sharp protrusion at the end. It is usually made of iron and is oval or round in cross-section, with a knob at the top. ... The hulu meu apet has a basket-guard covered on the inside with a small pillow (bantaj). This guard includes an iron plate with a sharp ridge forged along the middle."* Steel and magic 2020 p27
"Blades of European manufacture ... are often found on a peudeung and these swords show an Indian influence. [...]
"The spike on the hilt (hulu meutampo) is shaped like a sprouting rice shoot."
Rudus
* van Zonneveld 2001 p143
"TARAH BAJU [KLEWANG TARAK BAGOE, ROEDOES TARAH BADJI, RUDUS TARAH BAJI, TARABADJOI, TARAH BADJOE] SUMATRA, ACEH
A type of klewang with a slightly concave back and a straight edge. This edge is sharpened along almost the entire length. Its back curves in towards the edge. Its blade broadens towards the point. The tara baju is carried without a scabbard." ...
* Richardson 2015 p122
"The klewang is a short, single-edged sword popular in Aceh."
