Who would have thought that a Keris could hold so much power? During my trip to Yogyakarta, I came to understand that a keris is a very common choice of heirloom. It is an article handed down from one generation to the next amongst Javanese royalty, political leaders and also members of the general public. This double-edged dagger is not an uncommon weapon in Southeast Asia, as it has long been synonymous with Malay culture and way of life in the Malay Archipelago. The traditional art of keris-making has been dutifully preserved in Javanese culture to this very day as the respectable dagger is a sacred symbol of power to its people. The delicate craft incorporates deep spiritual and philosophical elements into both the keris and its prospective owner through the meticulous synchronisation of energy. In order to gain deeper knowledge of the origin of the keris, I spoke to a member of a royal family as well as a number of researchers, keris makers and enthusiastic collectors. I was told by a researcher that the keris today is no longer used for attacking and defending, but rather to keep a man’s desires and spirituality in check. It is crafted […]