The keris is one of the key aspects of traditional Indonesian culture. With its distinctive characteristic design the keris is typically valued for its diversity in symbolism. And so, the interpretation of the keris is inseparable from local customs and ancient traditions. Thus, the keris was officially recognized as an intangible socio-cultural heritage by UNESCO […]

The Indonesian keris is valued as a rare and sacred pusaka or heirloom. Beside the common function of a traditional weapon, the keris also serves as a ritual dagger. Indeed, the keris is indispensable for ritual ceremonies performed by the ordained priests at the royal court of Yogyakarta and Surakarta in Central Java. After Indonesia […]

The rencong is a traditional Indonesian weapon in the form of a dagger. It is the weapon of choice among the inhabitants of the island of Aceh. During the Aceh war (1873–1904 CE) the people of Aceh fought a heavy battle against the Dutch who attempted to colonize the island and its people in order […]

Traditional Hindu-Buddhist mythology tells us about a mythical creature commonly known as the nāga (Sanskrit). The nāga is a benevolent serpent deity as mentioned in various ancient scriptures, like the great Hindu epic Mahābhārata, as well as in sacred Buddhist texts such as the Lotus Sūtra and the Vinayasūtra. Both in Hindu and Buddhist tradition, nāgas […]

The four-armed Rêsi Wisnu is an avatar of the Hindu god Viṣṇu avatar. This avatar, however, is not a human incarnation, but rather a physical manifestation of a deity residing in the higher celestial realms of existence. The heaven whence the deity descended granted him rebirth as the guru master of all rêsi saints on earth. […]