Product Description

Toraja Sword: Dua Lalan

Material: Iron blade, wood, wire and horn hilt, wood and rattan scabbard
Style: Toraja, Sulawesi, early 20th century
Size: Length 68 cm, width 5 cm
Order Number: TATW5

Background: This sword was used both in time of war and for the ceremonial slaughtering of buffaloes. Hence its name Dua Lalan (meaning ‘dual purpose’) .

The blade has an almost parallel straight back and edge. At the tip the back curves towards the edge.

The hilt is made of wood carved with geometric spirals. The base of the hilt is horn and above that wire is wrapped around. When looking at the side of the hilt it resembles a hornbill’s head, the beak and eye. The hilt’s lower part fits exactly.

The scabbard is straight and has a small foot at its lower part from which about two-thirds is wrapped around with rattan.

A similar example is shown in Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago, Albert G. Van Zonneveld, C. Zwartenkot Art Books, 2001 at page 43.