KOTA BHARU, Sept 2 — The keris is more than a weapon from the past; its various types, forms, and designs reflect the social status, roles, and way of life of earlier Malay communities, according to enthusiasts.

Old weapons collector Aizal Azwan Amaran, 35, said each keris carries its own historical significance, philosophy and identity, with links to its owners.

“Every keris carries symbols and reflects the identity of its owner, whether a ruler, noble, religious scholar or ordinary person. It was used for self-defence and to protect the homeland,” he told Bernama recently at the Kelantan Heritage Weapons Festival at Istana Balai Besar here.

Another collector, Azek Abu Bakar, 64, said differences in the types and forms of keris also reflected their owners’ roles and status in society.

He said the short Keris Debek was commonly associated with religious figures or tok lebai, while the longer Keris Penyalang symbolised customary authority and was often associated with the enforcement of laws.

Azek said the blade design, ukiran kerawang (openwork carvings) and the sheath or sampir could also provide clues to the origins of a keris.

He said sampir designs in the east coast states were strongly influenced by the sea and boats, reflecting the lives of earlier communities whose livelihoods partly depended on fishing.

“This demonstrates that keris were not merely used for self-defence, but also reflected the authority, responsibilities, culture and way of life of the communities that produced them,” he said.

For Aizal and Azek, a keris is valued not simply for its age or form, but for the stories of its owners and the communities that used it and handed it down through generations.

According to them, the fact that some keris have survived for hundreds of years also shows that earlier communities knew materials, metalworking and preservation techniques that went beyond simple craftsmanship.

Azek said determining the age of a keris requires careful examination of the blade structure and corrosion patterns, as the condition of its sheath does not necessarily reflect the weapon’s actual age.

“The blade’s design, openwork carvings and use of mixed metals or pamor, particularly in Bugis keris, could also provide clues about the techniques and traditions behind their manufacture,” he said.

The Kelantan Heritage Weapons Festival 2026 is being held at Istana Balai Besar in Kota Bharu from August 16 to September 5. — Bernama