| Kalis ᜃᜎᜒ/ᜃᜎᜒᜐ᜔ كاليس | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Sword |
| Place of origin | Philippines |
| Service history | |
| In service | Tondo,Rajahnate of Cebu,Butuan,Rajahnate of Maynila,Ma-i,Sultanate of Maguindanao,Sultanate of Sulu,Bruneian Empire |
| Used by | Moro people (Sama people,Maguindanao people,Maranao people,Tausūg people),Tagalog people |
| Specifications | |
| Length | blade length: 46–66 cm (18–26 in) |
| Blade type | Double edged |
| Hilt type | Wood, ivory |
| Scabbard/sheath | Wood |
Akalis (Baybayin:ᜃᜎᜒ orᜃᜎᜒᜐ᜔;Jawi script: كاليس ;Abecedario:cáli,cális) is a type ofPhilippine sword. The kalis has a double-edged blade, which is commonly straight from the tip but wavy near the handle. Kalis exists in several variants, either with a fully straight or fully wavy blade. It is similar to theJavanesekeris, but differs in that the kalis is asword, not adagger. It is much larger than the keris and has a straight or slightly curved hilt, making it a primarily heavy slashing weapon (in contrast to the stabbingpistol grip of the keris).
The wavy portion of the kalis is said to be meant to facilitate easier slashing in battle, since a straight edge tends to get stuck in the opponent's bones, the wavy portion allows the kalis bearer to more easily pull the weapon out of his opponent's body.[1]
The kalis is also known assundang among theMaranao andMaguindanao people (not to be confused with theVisayansundang).[2] It is also known assundang,sondang orkeris Sulu inKalimantan andSulawesi inIndonesia, where it was reintroduced from contact with Mindanao.[3]
The predecessor of the kalis, thekeris, first appeared in the 13th century, originally from the island ofJava inIndonesia. From there the keris migrated to thePhilippines where it evolved into the kalis. Other countries in which the keris and keris-like weapons can be found includeMalaysia,Brunei, southernThailand and some other countries inMainland Southeast Asia.
Both the sword and dagger versions were used in the Philippines, with the dagger version being known as thegunong or gulok (also called punyal, frompuñal de kris, "kris dagger"). Unlike the keris, the gunong is more commonly used as a utility knife and only used as a weapon as a last resort. It was a concealed knife, usually tucked into sashes by both men and women. Because of this, it was commonly unornamented or only sparsely ornamented. Its blade can also be single or double-edged. Similar to the kalis, its blade varies from straight, to partially wavy, to fully wavy. Some versions have very short, almost triangular blades. Older versions of the gunong have straight or a slightly curving hilt, but it eventually evolved into apistol grip.[4][5][2]
All the Filipino types of kalis swords are both larger and heavier than those from Indonesia. Although it is considered to be a slashing weapon, the kalis can be effectively used for thrusts and stabs. The larger kalis was introduced back to Indonesia, especially inKalimantan andSulawesi, where it is known assundang,sondang orkeris Sulu.[3]
The kalis blade is defined as one that is wide on the base and double-edged. It is capable of delivering both chopping and slicing cuts. While many assume the traditional form of the kalis is the fully wavy blade, the half-waved half-straight, as well as the fully straight blades, are equally if not more common, as straight blades were more practical in combat. Moro kalis blades generally range in size from 18 to 26 inches (46 to 66 cm), though as with all Moro weapons there are exceptions. Generally however, the larger blades are found on later pieces, while the oldest Moro kalis tend to be of smaller stature. Damascene patterning is sometimes evident though often not as controlled as seen in the complexpattern welding of the smaller Malay keris.
The gangya (guard) of a kalis blade is made in such a manner that their lines flow very elegantly into the blade, never interrupting in continuity from transition from gangya proper to blade. Antique kalis (kalis made before 1930) were made with a separate gangya (guard) like their Malay cousins, while more modern made kalis lack this feature and have gangya that are in fact integral to the blade.[citation needed] Some newer kalis do have an engraved line to simulate the appearance of a separate gangya, but when inspected closely it is evident that this is only a cosmetic engraved line, and not a true separate gangya. At some point near the early 19th century, gangya started to be made with a distinct 45-degree angle near the terminus. Opposite the hook-like fretwork on the gangya, exists a curved cavity. It has been suggested that this cavity is representative of the trunk of an elephant, others contend that it is the mouth of the naga (serpent) with the blade being the tail, and still others contend that it is in fact the open mouth of an eagle.[citation needed]
Modern tourist kalis blades can be distinguished by a number of features that once identified are quite easy to spot. Perhaps the easiest to identify feature of a modern tourist/fake kalis blade are the shaping of the waves. Traditional kalis feature gracefully undulating waves that are forged deep into the blade to penetrate straight to the centerline of the blade. Tourist kalis, on the other hand, feature shallow angular waves, that appear to be cut out of the steel rather than forged into the blade.
The hilt is either straight or slightly curved (most common oncockatoo (kakatua) pommel hilts). Pommel variations are many, however the most common are the horse-hoof (the most distinctive variation coming from the Sulu Sultanate) and the cockatoo. Commonly the pommel is made of beautiful hardwood burl (such as banati) with the hilt being wrapped in a lacquered natural fiber (such as jute). However, on higher end kalis, belonging to the upper class, the pommel would be made of such exotic materials as ivory, silver plating, solid brass, etc. with hilts often lavishly bound with silver or swasaa (an alloyed mixture of gold similar to red-gold) bands frequently with braided silver wire interspersing the chased bands.
The Moro kalis scabbard shares many common characteristics with their Malay cousins, but are unique in their own style and form. Scabbards tended to be made of wide grain native hardwoods (e.g. mahogany, teak, narra, etc.), and lashed together with rattan bindings. Sometimes the cross-piece is a separate piece, with the tail-piece socketed in, but quite often the cross-piece and tail are made of one board. Older scabbards feature wider rattan lashings, and normally only cover small sections (e.g. bottom 1/3, 4 inch bands, etc.) of the scabbard.
Otherkeris-derived weapons in thePhilippines include thebalasiong sword and thepunyal (orgunong) daggers.
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