Journal Screenshot

International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development

Open Access Journal

ISSN: 2226-6348

Inclination of Keris Research Theme According to Colonial Scholars Perspective

Muzaffar Mohd. Zafri, Rahimah Hamdan, Arbaie Sujud, Abdul Muati@Zamri Ahmad

http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJARPED/v12-i2/17532

Open access

This study explores the inclination of keris research theme as a significant weapon in the traditional Malay community until now. The discussion focuses on the main function of keris as a weapon and how it evolved to become a symbol of identity for the Malay community that attracted the interest of colonial scholars, especially the British in the 19th century AD, in researching and understanding the relationship between the weapon and the colonised society. This study will complete two objectives which is to analyse the themes of research regarding keris in the colonial era and to deduce the tendency of these themes based on the opinions of several renowned colonial scholars. The research methodology is a bibliographic analysis of several scientific journals by colonial scholars in the 19th century AD on Malay keris, especially on the Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society and some others. The results revealed that the themes associated with the study of keris by colonial scholars mainly focus on non-physical properties, such as mystical elements and beliefs on keris. These past studies were also found to have an influence over the mentality and way of thinking of the Malay community today. In conclusion, research works on keris as a weapon that is synonymous with the Malay identity need to be intensified so that more rational and relevant findings can be highlighted in order to reduce the dependency on studies by Western scholars, which are often biased and have their own interests.

Ahmad, A. M. Z. (2015). Keris Melayu Semenanjung: Suatu Pengenalan. Penerbit Universiti Putra Malaysia: Serdang.
Banks, E. (1940). The K?ris Sulok or Sundang. Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, 18(2, 137): 105–107. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41559958.
Gardner, G. B. (1933). Notes on Two Uncommon Varieties of The Malay Kris. Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, 1 1(2, 117): 178–182. http://www. jstor.org/ stable/ 41559813.
Haryoguritno, H. (2005). Keris Jawa antara Mistik dan Nalar. Jakarta: PT Indonesia Kebanggaanku.
Hodgson, G. (1956). Keris Types and Terms. Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, 29 (4, 176): 68–90. http://www.jstor.org/stable/24249138.
Mohamad, K., Shuhaimi, N. H., Samian, A. L. (2012). Falsafah Perkerisan dalam Masyarakat Melayu. International Journal of the Malay World and Civilisation (Iman) 30 (1), 2012: 105-119.
Mohamad, K., & Shuhaimi, N. H. (2013). Keris: Falsafah dan Isu Masa Kini. International Journal of the Malay World and Civilisation (IMAN) 1 (2): 45-53.
Laidlaw, G. M. (1905). Some Notes on K?ris-measurements. Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, 20(1, 141): 45–46. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41560004.
Skeat, W. W. (1900). Malay Magic: Being an Introduction to The Folklore and Popular Religion of The Malay Peninsula. London: Macmillan & Co. Limited.
Swettenham F. A. (1895). Malay Sketches. London: Macmillan & Co.
Swettenham F. A. (1899). Real Malay. London: John Lane Company.
Swettenham F. A. (1936). Keris and Other Malay Weapons. Silverfish Books Sdn. Bhd.
Williams, G. C. G. (1937). Suggested Origin of The Malay Keris And of The Superstitions Attaching to It. Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, 15(3, 129): 127–141. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41559898.
Winstedt, R. O. (1925). Notes on Malay Magic. Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, 3(3, 95): 6–21. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41560443.
Woolley, G. C. (1938). Keris Measurements. Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, 16(2, 131): 44–46. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41559924.
Woolley, G. C. (1947). The Malay K?ris: Its Origin and Development. Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, 20(2, 142): 60–103. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41560030.

In-Text Citation: (Zafri et al., 2023)
To Cite this Article: Zafri, M. M., Hamdan, R., Sujud, A., & Ahmad, A. M. @ Z. (2023). Inclination of Keris Research Theme According to Colonial Scholars Perspective. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, 12(2), 1636–1645.