Arms And Tradition
Saving Mandau In West Kalimantan
Craftsman Matius Ala is striving to revive the ancient tradition of mandau-forging in the hamlet of Kecukuh, West Kalimantan.
THE heat was so intense, it seemed to suck all the air out of the room as Tempo English entered the mandau (traditional Kalimantan sword) workshop in Kecukuh hamlet, Melawi regency, West Kalimantan. The heat was pouring in from the furnace, or puput, in the center of the room. Matius Ala turned half a kilogram of iron back and forth in the burning charcoal, using wood pincers to prevent blistering. "I need to wait until the fire turns bright red. It takes about 30 minutes," said the 58-year-old two week ago.
June 23, 2015
Saving Mandau In West Kalimantan
Craftsman Matius Ala is striving to revive the ancient tradition of mandau-forging in the hamlet of Kecukuh, West Kalimantan.
THE heat was so intense, it seemed to suck all the air out of the room as Tempo English entered the mandau (traditional Kalimantan sword) workshop in Kecukuh hamlet, Melawi regency, West Kalimantan. The heat was pouring in from the furnace, or puput, in the center of the room. Matius A
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