Obscure Weapons from History: Dayak Mandau HEAD HUNTER Sword

[@rickthelearner5631]

Hi, Matt, I'm a subscriber to your channel. I'm a native of north Borneo of the Malaysian state of Sabah. I'm not Dayak. I belong to an indigenous tribe called Dusuns (pronounced doo - soon). We are one of, if not, the largest indigenous tribes of Sabah. My tribe inhabit the highland regions of the west coast of Sabah. My ancestors were headhunters in the sense that they took heads during battle. They didn't take heads for sports. The heads were trophies of war and kept in huts. In my ancestral homeland, these huts still exist but remain untended as few people today practise animism. Before the coming of the British, our tribe was involved in tribal war, particularly among the sub-tribes. That was a long time ago. My great-great grandfather's sword looks just like a mandau. I have only examined it once in 2004 with my cousin's consent. He is the entrusted guardian of the sword and it remains in his keeping. The sword is of the mandau type. In our language, we call it gayang which means a sword. However, it no longer has its scabbard and the ornamental hairs. My family said the hairs were human hairs, taken from the heads taken in combat. How he obtained it is still a mystery. It was either forged by my tribe or obtained through trade. It is heavy and black with the exception of the edge. The hilt is evidently bone. My great-great grandfather, a tall warrior by the name of Taulah Sikuran, used it in inter-tribal wars before the British colonials banned the practice. However, in around 1900, some of the Dusuns who opposed the rule of a Suluk nobleman, Mat Salleh, cut off the heads of his followers after the British quelled his rebellion in 1900. As late as WW2, there are stories of how some of the men of my tribe used their old headhunting swords to behead the Japanese. Interestingly, the edge is almost bevel, pointed to the left. My father believes that my great-great grandfather was right-handed and the edge shape facilitated head-cutting from a certain angle. There are marks on the steel, probably the numbers of heads taken in battles. According to my father, the tale passed down to his father mentions its poisonous edge. Even a small cut will not heal and could lead to death. I don't know whether this is true or not since I never tested it. Judging from my family's tale, I believe my great-great grandfather was nearly six feet tall or more ( I am about 173 cm tall or about 5 feet 8 inches) . I returned the sword to my cousin after about three weeks examining it. The sword has no function today except as a family treasure and reminder of our past - and that we should not take that path again. On the subject of the supernatural and magic associated with some tribes of Borneo, my father says my great-great grandfather could make his sword fly towards his enemies. According to the old tales, if one was chased by a flying gayang or sword, find a resinous tree and the gayang would stick on it because the resin was red and the sword would mistake it for blood. I know it sounds silly but that's old tale passed down to me for generations. I must make it clear that my tribe stopped headhunting practice since the 19th century. If there were incidents like the ones mentioned above, they were isolated cases and were not a widespread practice among the highland Dusuns. Great video as always, Matt, especially because it's got something to do with my culture.

[@Vetinari67]

Great post, greetings from Sarawak!

[@tl8211]

Thank you very much for the contribution, it's all extremely interesting.

[@eddys.3524]

Thanks for the beautiful insight into the local history you provided!

[@christopherlee627]

Thanks for your family history, certainly a bit more interesting than my family history!

[@scholagladiatoria]

Thanks for posting and greetings to Borneo! Hopefully one day I can visit there. I have two officers' swords in my collection from Sarawak, from officers serving under the Brookes.

[@sarawakiansborneo418]

Yes I am Dayak Iban from Sarawak Borneo..we called that sword "Duku ilang" for head hunting in the past.Thanks for the video sir

[@wu昊]

可以寄一支给我吗，我很喜欢。😂

[@Ed-zy4iv]

Hi Matt, My Grandfather was a doctor who set up hospitals in Borneo during the 40’s. He spent time in with the head hunting tribes in the jungles. The chief on one of the tribes broke his leg and my grandfather healed him and for his help, the child broke tradition and gave him his personal sword instead of his son. I now have this sword here in Australia, it has 6 notches in the blade, indicative of the head count, human hair still an the scalp skin wrapped around the casing along with bone ect. I’ve kept it in excellent condition and I’m told is very rare. Happy to send some pics. I also have quite a few other things given by the sultan of Brunei to my grandfather, golden sarong ect, as he was their family doctor and my father grew up in Brunei so I got all the relics. Happy to share some pics as I’m sure you will appreciate them

[@wu昊]

你是华人吗

[@TheGodTell]

Back in my college days, I have this one Dayak friend that actually bring his family mandau with him as a bedside weapon and as a talisman. Really cool stuff, I'll add one in my collection one day.

[@stanlim9182]

I’m thrilled to see Matt covering a topic from my home. Greetings from Sarawak.

[@rogerlafrance6355]

When I was in the Philippines in the 60's you could buy new ones cheap. Most were made from auto springs cut, ground down and re tempered. The Experts who made them pointed out that older ones were made with mostly Trade Steel.

[@kaptenkukang]

Many tribes in Indonesia are still animistic, their weapons are not only for hunting or warfare, but also as a vessel to magical power and spirits. some Mandaus are infamous for having ability to fly and seeking the target in remote places by the user, like Yondu's arrow.

[@meltingteeth7807]

We're over here tapping away on keyboards while some Indonesian wizard is skysurfing his headhunter knife. We were born in the wrong society.

[@toddellner5283]

Like the keris or the Papuan cassowary bone knife or the kucang.

[@inregionecaecorum]

Clearly not a people to be trifled with. Those blades are terrifying.

[@fadhli179]

there was good reason why mystic culture not completely dissapear from indonesia deapite in modern age. In bali for example, it was not surprising story to hear gamelan instrument being played late night, inside the storage room, and will go silent once someone enter the storage room.

[@LV_427]

There are also tales about Dayak warchiefs with magical powers like invisibility, invulnerability and teleportation.

[@interfusor]

Weirdly in the thumbnail I thought Matt was holding a camo assault rifle.

[@privatebaldric8767]

Antique AR 😂

[@ostrowulf]

No lie, I saw that in the thumbnail too

[@Easterlingofrhun]

exactly. I thought that too

[@joshuawalker301]

Me too, I thought it was some sort of small AR 🤣 like in rat style, like they do on cars or motorcycles.

[@bradleykoperski7198]

Dido

[@MarkWildman]

Fantastic knowledge

[@Vetinari67]

Finally, Matt covers a weapon from my homeland! Thank you, Matt - I had been waiting for this video and I didn't even know it :). Fun fact: the British quietly encouraged the headhunting of enemies during the Second World War, during the Confrontation with Indonesia (bounties were paid for certain heads), and during the Communist Emergency. When I was growing up in Borneo, it was still possible to see one or two marvelous old gentlemen in the rural markets with heavily tattooed necks and tattoos across their fingers, signifying that they had taken multiple heads in combat. Now all Matt needs is a terabai shield to go with his mandau, the two go together. If you look at the design of either, you will see how well-suited they are to their environment. The mandau is relatively short and nimble, perfect for use in a heavily forested jungle environment. The hook-like structure at the end of the hilt serves multiple purposes; not only does it help in blade retention, it protects the wielder's knuckles from being mashed against the face of an enemy's shield. The terabai shield on the other hand is slender and tall, perfect for maneuvering amongst the trees whilst giving full-body protection; pointed tips mean it can even be used offensively. The terabai is usually made of strong wood which will allow a mandau or parang ilang to bite in, and then get stuck or be twisted out of the wielder's hand. I used to own a heavily-carved Kelabit mandau from the early 20th century, which I gave to a friend who was leaving the country. It was a beautiful weapon and had all the features Matt mentioned, including the single-bevel edge.

[@zorbaknecromancer]

I'm an Indonesian and i have a close friend who's a Dayak. She has without a doubt severed a very large amount of heads and had done numerous attrocities. However, this is only on Grand Theft Auto V 😂 . All the Dayak people i've met so far are very peaceful. They still keep to their tradition wearing leather armour and carrying Mandau on ceremonies, but what they really care for as far as i've talked is the well being of their forest, enviromental causes, and care for the wildlife in Borneo. Many, former "warlike" tribes in Indonesia are now very civilized and modernized. If you're interested in weapons and clothing made from human bone, check out the Papuan Pisuwe dagger made of Femur. There are also a former headhunting tribe on Nias, who wore necklaces made of human bone if you're interested.

[@MelonMafia1]

Kayaknya sih kalo dibilang "warlike" itu bukan dibilang orangnya serem dan nga bisa civil sih. Cuman dibilang budayanya itu sebagai "warrior culture" gitu yg utamakan kekuatan dan kehormatan individu.

[@wu昊]

印尼的Dayak大部分跟客家人混血融合形成的部落，他们信仰道教

[@toddellner5283]

The Dayaks were also feared pirates. They have a very cool spear made of a long hollow tube with a knife lashed to the end with rattan strips. The spear doubles as a blow gun. Many blades from that part of the world are single-beveled.

[@empty_world3397]

We live in a mountain not on the sea We are not pirate

[@haritsdarwienm5886]

@@empty_world3397 there are Sea Dayaks, Dayak Iban..

[@mochiisntbad6762]

@@empty_world3397 to the west Malaysians we are all dayaks here in Borneo

[@marselsel3138]

​@@empty_world3397Dayak itu banyak Bung Dayak iban itu terkenal pernah memengal kepala kepala bajak laut Dayak iban adalah Dayak laut yg tgl di pesisir laut

[@MBoruneo]

The weapon it's called Sipet or Sumpit 😊

[@rasmusn.e.m1064]

I don't know why I find them extremely pretty, but gosh darn, those little buggers look attractive to me. They almost look like living things with the scabbard on, maybe like a bird of paradise or something like that.

[@ptonpc]

It seems they practiced animism, so that makes sense. I found the slightly disturbing, almost as if they were 'almost' alive but 'wrong'.

[@MelonMafia1]

The Dayak (and many other Indonesian cultures) believe that spirits rest inside blade, and that includes the mandau as well. So it could be alive.

[@mochiisntbad6762]

@@MelonMafia1 borneo

[@wizendrew6369]

The hilts of the ones I have encountered are often carved hornbill beak -- (do an image search for 'hornbill' and you'll get the idea). My family has a few of these Mandaus in a trunk somewhere in our attic though we call them 'Parangs''. My parents were posted out in Sarawak in the 1960s where they picked these up... along with some blowpipes complete with darts. Excellent toys for a young boy growing up in rural England. 😊 Edited for Additional Info. An interesting point I would add as regards the practice of headhunting... my mother (who was involved in archaeological excavations in Borneo) said the Dayaks openly boasted of headhunting during the second world war with the Japanese soldiers as being their favoured targets.

[@Lucius1958]

I have never heard of hornbill casque being used for sword hilts: I've heard of it being used for ear pendants or other ornaments...

[@wizendrew6369]

@@Lucius1958 I'll have to dig out our collection to take a close look. My mother told us 'hornbill' and I have no reason to doubt her... but Matt's video has me curious.

[@Vetinari67]

Wizendrew, you're not wrong to use the term "parang". They are commonly referred to as "parang ilang" amongst locals.

[@flickingbollocks5542]

Those Japanese didn't mind chopping off a head or two.

[@jellekastelein7316]

I just received one of these today, and can confirm that mine too has the curvature you speak about at around 7:10, even though it has a somewhat different blade profile near the tip.

[@jellekastelein7316]

And recently came across another one with a different blade type that is also curved in the same way.

[@aparioss1072]

Matt Easton is a gold mine for clipping. Somebody should really do that.

[@pamanhan5838]

Salam dari Kalimantan Tengah tuan 🤝 saya berterima kasih kepada anda karena sudah mengenalkan senjata kami pada dunia

[@petar.dj98]

Montenegrins also practiced headunting against the Ottomans in the 19th century. Sometimes they were called the last headhunters in Europe

[@bretalvarez3097]

I heard they also had a tower where they placed all the Ottoman heads until it was demolished in the 20th century.

[@mochiisntbad6762]

Based

[@janrobertbos]

some were decorated with human hair, indicating heads had been taken with them...........my wife`s grandfather owned some back in the days he worked as a police officer in the then Dutch Borneo..............greetz from the Netherlands.

[@fjameschristopherk1360]

Fun fact: even a mandau for everyday usage have carvings at the handle and the sheath cause we just like to carve it, and the small knife that you mention in the video have a very small blade with a very long handle, usually shaped like a painting brush and is an excellent tool for carvings...

[@conncork]

The museum of Ethnology in Leiden has hundreds of them in their depot. I know I used to work there until my pensionering in 2015.

[@scholagladiatoria]

Interesting - brought back by the Dutch East India Company perhaps?

[@1aapmens]

@@scholagladiatoria probably slightly later: Dutch EIC folded in 1798. Dutch effective colonial rule in Borneo a bit later from mid 19th c'

[@1aapmens]

I copied a search link in the collection of the Dutch Ethnographic Museums. collectie.wereldculturen.nl/#/query/1d709dd3-b7a1-455f-830a-21aa65fb2925 Just add Mandau, or Dayak in the search box.

[@jellekastelein7316]

The Museum van Volkenkunde! They have a nice collection of Indonesian artifacts on display. I live in Leiden, and pre-COVID I'd visit that museum on a regular basis. I'd love to see what is in some museums' depots (Naturalis is another one of those). It's too bad it can't all be displayed to the public.

[@1aapmens]

@@jellekastelein7316 I live in Leiden too, more of an RMO regular myself ;-) Volkenkunde great as well, Naturalis, mwah. Can you remember when the Dutch Army Museum was in the present location of Naturalis? Before they went to Delft. And now Soesterberg.

[@BoodClover]

Hello Matt,, I'm from Borneo Island and I'm a Dayak (from Dayak Kenyah),, I like the way you explained the Mandau 🙏🏼

[@mythguard6865]

Man a collab between Ian of forgotten weapons and Matt would be legendary.

[@a.s.j.g6229]

Gun Jesus and blade Jesus united at last.

[@Almosteasyese]

@scholagladiatoria pls

[@paleposter]

I could have sworn they'd done one before, but I guess now

[@stevenlwills]

There is a very interesting book titled All Elevations Unknown about a modern climbing expedition to Borneo, with focus on the backstory of WW2 British special forces who enlisted the aid of Dayak warriors against the Japanese. Excellent read for anyone interested in WW2, Borneo, history, etc. Btw, the byknife mentioned is called a "pisau raut", meaning rattan knife, is used for general bushcraft.

[@andieslandies]

A great video (as always), thanks for making and sharing it! I've handled and examined three or four of these that were brought back by Australians who were in Borneo during the Second World War. Hearing someone discuss them who is knowledgeable on the subject of edged weapons, and reading some of the comments by people with personal and cultural connections to the original owners has not only been informative and interesting but has also given greater depth and meaning to my personal experiences of them.

[@evilwelshman]

On the subject of Dayak practice of headhunting, while I can't find a primary source for it, there are reports that it has sporadically re-emerged as recently as the 1960s during the Confrontation period between Malaysia and Indonesia. And before that, there were reports of it happening during WWII as well as being tacitly allowed during the White Rajah period when launching military expeditions. Basically, it sounds like while no longer part of regular practice, headhunting seems to - at least up until very recently - re-emerge during times of increased conflict, and potentially thus remains a strong part of their cultural heritage.

[@Vetinari67]

Hi John, I'm from Borneo, and when growing up we were generally told that the Brits encouraged headhunting during these periods. Insofar as published Western sources are concerned, I believe Margaret Brooke's autobiography "My Life in Sarawak: The Ranee of Sarawak" and other sources of that period mention that Rajah Brooke's Iban regiments were given express exemption during their military campaigns. I have also read a couple of books about the SAS exploits in Borneo during the Konfrontasi, in which the author openly stated that the British Army paid a bounty for heads of certain enemy combatants. I can't remember the titles now, but hopefully this might help. Edit: I also recall there was a well-publicized scandal in the 1950s during the Malayan Emergency when the British Government admitted that it had permitted Iban trackers (brought over from Borneo) to take heads of communist terrorists. It definitely remains a strong part of the cultural heritage from a historical perspective - if you visit a longhouse today, you will still be able to see the skulls of heads taken in days past. The Police Museum in Kuching even has a "haunted tower" in which skulls used to be kept.

[@ajiechairulramadhan2275]

The headhunting Practice of the Dayaks Headhunter was performed as late as 1990s to early 2000s, search for Sampit Ethnic Unrest or Sambas Ethnic Unrest, it will bring you to wikipedia page about it in english. For more research try using "Kerusuhan Etnis Sambas or Kerusuhan Etnis Sampit" (You'll see some news about it from Indonesia Local Media in Bahasa if you speak it). As said by others the Dayaks people still keeping the headhunting practice, but only in a War times. Truly though, they are a peaceful people, i knows a lot Dayaks people since I'm born and raised here in Indonesia side of Borneo, although i'm not ethnically dayak myself.

[@mochiisntbad6762]

@@ajiechairulramadhan2275 cool

[@MyPoincare]

@@ajiechairulramadhan2275 it happened twice, 1998 in West Kalimantan and 2001 in Central Kalimantan. Although it is calles Sambas & Sampit tragedy but it happened at most area in West and Central Borneo.

[@genesiusvalian2919]

Headhunting was actually still happening in early 2000 and late 1990. There was a war between dayak and other tribe. It was very scary and even one hotel (as dayak basecamp over there) became the storage of human heads (cover by real news and you can actually still search the news ). However i dont recommend you guys to search it, it is very traumatic.

[@zornhutsjourney]

I own an Iban Dayak Mandau that I bought while practicing Pentjak Silat 20 years ago. It’s one of my favorite sword types as I find them exceptionally beautiful. Thanks for sharing yours!

[@lapislazarus8899]

That white hilt is almost certainly antler, not bone. Even with the out of focus closeup, I can clearly see the internal spongy structure indicative of antler.

[@bensul9979]

I had no idea of these weapons, thats why I love these series, thanks for all your awesome content matt, specially this kind of videos which touch quite a bit on the cultural aspect of the people who used these blades.

[@ostrowulf]

Matt: "This handle has very detailed carvings. Look at the designs with anthropmorphic carvings" Also Matt: "I think it is made of bone. They say the carvings repersent what it was made of. So if it was made of animal, then animal carvings, if human, then like anthropmorphic carvings."

[@jellekastelein7316]

So you noticed that too, huh?

[@ostrowulf]

@@jellekastelein7316 Yeah, was deffinately a momment of "Ummm.... so extrapulating from the info you are giving me, Matt, that may answer your question of maybe bone, maybe antler."

[@Lucius1958]

@@ostrowulfMandau hilts, if not made of wood, were made of antler from sambar ( _Rusa unicolor_ ). No other bone has the profile that is found in these hilts.

[@adwarfsittingonagiantsshoulder]

Matt Easton at his best ! Super intersting video !!!

[@patrickselden5747]

What excellent video, Matt! Thanks! ☝️😎

[@otosjvantolerbok4177]

First; in Syberia and eastern Russia people use axes in the forrests that have also a-symetrical blades. Flat on one side, curved on the other side but those are shaped like that in order to work wood. Second; would it be interesting to invite Dayak people to explain the who's and whereabouts of these weapons? Sure there are still Dayak people today who would be so nice to tell about their herritage. Third; very interesting what you tell, my compliments!

[@ObjectHistory]

Not an antique I’ve gotten to handle and did not know about the asymmetrical cross-section. Great info.

[@bogazkesenarmoury]

i can confirm that, antique mandau always have bent on their blade, im indonesian, but i have different theory here, because i do few times making mandau myself, the presence of a bend on the blade is a bonus from the heat treatment that the blade receives with its distinctive bevel, namely single bevel asymmetry, I said that this bend is very difficult if done on purpose, although it can be done in some way but I think it is just a bonus because of the two factors I explained above

[@adityafirdaus3881]

Thank you for reviewing historical weapon from my country, Matt! It's so awesome to know your own opinion about it.

[@juanpablogonzalez8528]

This was amazing, i'm glad i was able to hear about something i have never head of before

[@polyommata]

A video on yataghans would be cool! Ive been reading Robert Elgood's book on the ottoman period arms of Greece and the Balkans and there is lots if interesting variation in the styles across and the region

[@MrEnaric]

For more information on Keris and Mandau, Tombak, etc. I recommend 'Inlandsche kunstnijverheid part V: De bewerking van niet edele materialen in de gordel van smaragd' by Jasper en Pirngadie, Batavia, 1930. In Dutch, but very detailed and with beautiful colored plates.

[@anotherboredperson]

The strange curly decorations on the back are called "jinping." They're actually not purely decorative. If you cross cut another blade with them, the curly tentacle bits will snag with the edge of the other blade.

[@anotherboredperson]

Side note- the curly shapes are the same as the dayak's magical tattoos they claim will turn blades on their skin. Yeah- not so sure about that. Some of the demos they do are rather terrifying though.

[@ponfed]

I love your knowledge, cultural and historical. I also love your respect and cultural contextualisation of things.. great channel and great guy!!! Kudos.

[@Seanoakwolf]

I married into the Iban tribe in ulu Lemanak Sarawak. We call this Ilang. ( Parang Ilang) Most Warriors carried two swords, a shield ( Terabai) and Spear/Blowpipe ( Sumpit. ). Most of the Ngajat dances are with sword and shield... Great Video love your channel.

[@pendantblade6361]

Yes Matt, please do more SE Asian weapon vids!

[@kaizen5023]

I once had a pocketknife with that same blade grind and it was probably the sharpest knife I've ever owned.

[@MarcusCarcass]

If this video is any indication of what to expect in the rest of this series thin I am SO ready!

[@WhiteChevy4.8]

Okay, that thing is cool. Gonna add that to the things to forge one day.

[@keithallardice6139]

Absolutely riveting viewing Matt, thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise...

[@pepejuan2924]

Interesting subject, great channel and magnificent collection, thanks for posting 👍

[@Templarium]

Man there is so much of the world I know nothing about and that includes places like Borneo.

[@56815]

Fun fact: One reason for the many conflicts among the head hunting tribes were about what to call the sword.

[@tufftraveller4784]

You mean knife ;)

[@baabaaer]

No, it's for the heads. The heads will then help decide the swordeyness and knifery of the weapon.

[@56815]

@@tufftraveller4784 Fight me! The winner is right.

[@mintymendicant1929]

I've been wanting this blade since I met someone from the Dayak tribe and learned of these.

[@QuentinStephens]

Fascinating as ever. Thank you, Matt.

[@strydyrhellzrydyr1345]

They are freaking awesome Matt... Beautiful things

[@sikutelalikumea4798]

Thank you for appreciating our culture" adil katalino bacuramin kasaruga basengat ka jubata🙏🙏🙏

[@mt_baldwin]

I've always heard that called chisel grind. What I don't like about blades with that grind is that it's hard to make a straight cut, once it's in a material the blade wants to veer off towards the side with the edge bevel. No I don't know why they do that, I just know that they do... Now that I think about it, with that head hunting blade, if you're right handed and swing a left to right horizontal slash at someone's neck the blade will naturally want to turn up, towards the opposite ear and away from their shoulders. Maybe that's why they use that grind.

[@andreweden9405]

These are extremely nice! So far as your "Exotic and Obscure" category goes, I think my favorite is still that beautiful, ivory-hilted Burmese Dha you featured a few years back. That was probably a year or two before you moved I would guess.

[@eddys.3524]

Impressive craftsmanship, those decorations... Didn't know the weapon, but it's definitely under rated as a collectors item.

[@chrisball3778]

I've read that mandaus were used to behead Japanese soldiers killed by Dayak guerillas during WWII. I don't know whether it's completely true or whether there's an element of propaganda to the story, but it seems plausible. If it is, then the headhunting tradition might have still existed within living memory.

[@mochiisntbad6762]

Go look up z force and other similar related stories.

[@ikbalcoeg9273]

Btw Japanese soldier love to cutting head too

[@lonehawk2751]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKmam3SNd9CDh7s Dayak Borneo in 2001

[@willbbwluvr]

Headhunting amongst the dayak, is STILL a thing

[@thescholar-general5975]

Very interesting blade and sword design!

[@NevisYsbryd]

Various dueling implements-the big, spiked shields, longswords with roundels and spiked hilts and so on, are always welcome. Also encranches, and the similar-looking bucklers.

[@renalditpl6482]

Thank brother for your story.. I'm from indonesia, borneo dayak people😍

[@johnbennett1465]

I guess I have been underestimating the tech level of native groups like this. Based on the pictures and descriptions I have seen I would not have expected them to be able to forge iron blades. I would be interested in learning more about when and how various cultures learned to smelt and forge iron. How does it relate to a cultures overall technology level? I realize that this is at the edge of what you normally cover. Perhaps you could do a collab with someone. You could focus on the weapons that were produced. While the other person could focus on the culture and overall technology that lead to their production.

[@PlanetHell67]

Judging from the looks, it is made of spring steel from cars, it is common materials for such blade in Borneo, before the dutch and japan came, they made it by collecting ore and sand and smelt it, the quality of the blade may be lower than modern steel but it still works fine

[@justinsadler5695]

I have one of these too, decorated with fur and boar teeth. Though I feel it's worth mentioning that the narrowness of the grip gives them a bit of a fragile feel.

[@isaiahkerstetter3142]

My Grandfather was a missionary through New Tribes Missions (now "Ethnos 360") in Nanga' Nyabau', northwest of Putussibau in West Kalimantan for some 13 years. My Mom was born in the U.S.A. but was raised there. She still goes off in Embaloh when she's flustered. My grandfather was given a very fine Basi galang, a blow gun with spearhead affixed and dart quiver to match. He also has beaded belts and a hat. The Embaloh seen to be dissimilar to the tribes around them linguistically. It seems that they may have been from an invading people group at some point in the past, not unlike Anglo-Saxons amidst native Britons. I can get pictures if you'd like.

[@mochiisntbad6762]

As a native north Bornean, I personally would like to see the pictures.

[@isaiahkerstetter3142]

@@mochiisntbad6762 Do you have Telegram?

[@mochiisntbad6762]

@@isaiahkerstetter3142 yes

[@yasnayapolyana5101]

wowww its feels amazing to see my ansistan sword...love from borneo bro🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹❤️

[@gregornowak]

As a orthopaedic surgeon and hunter my guess is, that the white grip is made of antler. No human bone has this shape and cannot think of a matching animal bone. But beautiful carving!

[@whiskeytangosierra6]

That is some very fine rattan work on the bindings.

[@gerryjamesedwards1227]

The Dayaks show up in one of the Jack Aubrey novels, I seem to remember their having fast boats called 'Proas'. I wonder whether run-ins with the RN are how some example made their way to the UK?

[@Lucius1958]

Sarawak was given as a fiefdom to James Brooke by the Sultan of Brunei in the 1840s, in recognition of his service in pacifying the region. During his nephew's reign as Rajah, it was formally established as a British protectorate; and British folk would travel there to join the civil service, or to manage rubber plantations, etc. Many would bring home mandaus as exotic souvenirs (without the auxiliary knives, though: Dayaks considered those sacred, as they had often been used to clean trophy heads).

[@gerryjamesedwards1227]

@@Lucius1958 thanks!

[@RoryRose_]

i've never seen carvings like those. absolutely gorgeous

[@eagleeyes6132]

Headhunters in WW2,.. mandau is my tribe weapon. the first weapon, two curves, is commonly used for daily (farming or hunting animals). the second (black handle), one curve, specifically for war, rarely comes out of sheath, when it is removed from its sheath it must take a human life, it also functions as a prestige, or the position of its owner (common person, noble, commander or king. near the handle of the Mandau, there are always carved symbols with certain motifs, which has a special meaning. On the sheath of Mandau there is a mystical knot that also has a special meaning. The shape of the Mandau and the motif is usually different, but for the Dayak people, that's identity of the maker, from what Dayak sub-tribe!

[@VorpalDerringer]

The Ular Boys are a faction in Just Cause 2, set in Panau, a fictional east asian island nation, and it's mentioned that they "slice traitors up with their mandaus"...when I looked them up, the source made like they were knives, not swords. Nice video Matt!

[@luisuendalung8456]

Hii. Im dayak. Im from borneo Kalimantan. Nice to meet you

[@alexanderspencer8589]

I audibly gasped when you drew that blade. Simply stunning.

[@candykain2041]

This type of sword instantly became my favourite type when I found one in a museum warehouse I was allowed to look through for a school project. It was beautifully gilded and had a wonderful design on the scabbard made out of various fabrics. Still sad that it's probably still languishing in that warehouse though.

[@taylor_green_9]

Really cool swords. Every part of them is interesting

[@barretharms1432]

Yes I know of this headhunterz I used to have a Brunei bag it was basically a net that they carry their Treasures in as I understand Chinese and Japanese heads

[@charlesghannoumlb2959]

Great information, i never knew the mandau even existed, thank you for a great video

[@MrEnaric]

Old Mandaus carry a soul or even more than one if the stories I heard are true. The handles are usually carved from antler or waterbuffalo horn with Dayak style raksasa (demon) figures (Hindu influence) and spirit animals that are important to a specific clan or tribe like the Iban. Legend has it that important warrior Mandau have Pupuk inserted in the hilt or even the blade. Pupuk is the ashes of human remains, be it an ancestor or captive fron anothrr clan. The protective totempoles that protect Dayak villages (Hampatong) even in the nineteenth century, were filled with Pupuk from captives or slaves, made from the brain of the victim. Notorious are the magic wands from the shamans of each tribe that also held Pupuk. A number of those delicately carved wands, used for war and necromancy as well, can be seen in the Pusat Museum in Jakarta and the Museum voor Volkenkund at Leiden, The Netherlands. For the magical attributions: they are still respected, the multitude of amuleys on some Mandaus bare witness to that.

[@SuperOtter13]

One of my favorite sword types thank you Matt. Was hoping this turn up in your obscure playlist

[@omegabulldog5001]

That brought back memories;- We used to employed a grizzled Iban as estate supervisor when my dad was the estate manager for a company. I used to be scared of going near his dwelling because of the three preserved heads he had hanging from the roof beam. Eventhough he was a headhunter he was the kindest "uncle" a little boy can ever have, answering my childish questions about almost everything. I missed him dearly, I learnt so much from him.

[@bluffkirschman599]

Like actual real severed heads. Cause that is so cool

[@omegabulldog5001]

@@bluffkirschman599 like yes, actual heads...but that was 30+ years ago and he had passed on.

[@bluffkirschman599]

@@omegabulldog5001 sorry to here that. He must have been a sweet guy

[@bluffkirschman599]

Hear

[@leopoldsamsonite1750]

Very interesting. Great information. Thank you, Matt

[@RedmarKerkhof]

I have one of these. Its handle is antler and it's intricately painted and bedazzled with buffalo teeth which make a lovely rattling noise but they are very fragile. The little knife is missing though so that's a bummer. I'm guessing it's also a 20th century production. Interestingly enough, there is no curve in the blade. Anyway, they are relatively common here in The Netherlands because of colonialism. Great video, Matt.

[@vx8431]

The way the edge is on these remind me of some of my japanese chef knives I use for work and the reason for them being flat on one side and more defined on the other is to slice finely better. Perhaps similar reason for these blades but for different practical application?

[@darienthevolcanoman8624]

I think it'd be interesting if you procured an antique Moro Kampilan. They are also from South East Asia and have some similarities to these Mandaus. I have also heard they have been supposedly decorated with human hair, and that some have a metal staple in the guard for additional hand protection.

[@Lucius1958]

*Finally* we get to mandau! I have a couple of old ones, both of which, ironically, I found in the US. One has its original hilt of finely carved antler (btw, antler *is* bone: you do not find that sort of fork on any other bone that is large enough), and a fairly plain blade with a significant lateral curve to it. The other was missing its hilt; and I tried to carve one in traditional style (I have a book on Dayak design by Augustine Anggat Ganjing, given to me by my brother, who lives in Sarawak). Alas, the only antler I can find here is too curved to make a proper hilt; if I could find a source for the proper type of antler, I would try again. The blade on the other example has less of a bend than the first, but it has some beautiful filigree work on the back. I did carve scabbards for both of them, again trying to follow traditional style. I also have a much more recent blade, made for me by one of my brother's in-laws (he married a Sebuyau), done in a more Iban style. As for using *human* bone in mandau hilts, I have not seen or read any reference to that in literature about Bornean culture...

[@mattmodisette394]

4:29 as a Texan you get the "Thumbs up" from me for the correct pronunciation of Bowie Knife.

[@junichiroyamashita]

Matt playing opposite to Ian,in every sense

[@limonbattery]

Ian as in Gun Jesus?

[@ArifRWinandar]

@@limonbattery Matt is Sword Buddha

[@gubukreyot1678]

Ah. Man of culture, i see.

[@shadowphoenix8962]

Very nice. I've seen them once before I believe,back in the 50's,film on Borneo.

[@ryanaegis3544]

Hi Matt, I was recently reading Sir Bevis of Hampton in its original middle english, and ran across the word "bronde" for sword, and I was wondering if that was a type or category of sword in the 12-1300's? They rhymed it with 'honde' ( hand) which made me think it was pronounced 'brand,' in which case it would probably be the root for the verb 'to brandish'. They also use the words 'swerde' (sword) and 'fauchon' (falchion), so why, besides poetic license, use 'bronde' unless it is somehow different than a typical swerde. Thank you!

[@MorgenPeschke]

Odd that folks would be weirded out by the mandau because of the decapitation thing, they don't seem to hold it against the katana 🤷

[@nealsterling8151]

Maybe because these things are f* creepy.

[@guybucknell4481]

I dunno, feels alot different even if it might not be. This might be colonial or shallow thinking of me but one feels more like clean or dignified execution, under rule of law, whereas the other is more like looping off some heads of your enemies for the purpose of hording them as a weird flex. Tbh I can't make this judgement though because I don't know anything about the culture so will hold back on that kind of thinking.

[@MorgenPeschke]

@@guybucknell4481 part of it is probably that the samurai custom of collecting the heads of defeated foes isn't as widely known. This one has a good overview of the practice: m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/iomzo56QarCjo9E This one is much shorter, but is interesting because it showcases one of the manuals: m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJLYm4eCeJyAfrc

[@fabiovarra3698]

@@guybucknell4481 more the difference of taking the head of your foe for religion and tradition and taking heads of the enemies to obtain wealth and onor the samurai done the latter

[@guybucknell4481]

thanks for the link, interesting

[@TrueSighted]

Reminds me a bit of one side of a lawnmower blade. But with a clipped point. Or a inverted machete. Makes sense.

[@jellekastelein7316]

Another interesting class of relatively obscure weapons I'd love to learn more about would be any of the African sickle swords, like the Abyssinian shotel or any of the Congolese variants, and I'd like to understand their relationship to the khopesh. They have a very different weight distribution and modes of use from that of European and Asian swords due to that curvature.

[@genghiskhan6809]

That edge geometry is very interesting. I wonder how that works against flesh.

[@domm5715]

Really good I would think...I mean they were used to lop off heads

[@rasmusn.e.m1064]

Same here. Maybe the curve helps to accommodate the slight tendency we all have to scoop when doing more horizontal cuts?

[@genghiskhan6809]

@@rasmusn.e.m1064 That’s a good observation.

[@TheGodTell]

@@rasmusn.e.m1064 exactly what I imagine

[@ericmitchell985]

6:08 Matt gives you the finger.

[@andyleighton6969]

Having done some martial arts - and I dare say Matt would agree from the HEMA angle, it's quite difficult to hit a head that's moving and doesn't want to be hit! To cleanly decapitate someone in combat, so the head was in a condition to keep and not half sliced in half, while they were trying to return the compliment would be quite an art. Far more likely that they were removed from enemies already, likely very recently, dead.

[@MarieCrossbow]

Very interesting blade. Surprising that the weapon tapers so much near the hilt.

[@finbarscanlonwolf]

This reminds me the curve on the blade for taking heads. I was looking at my khukri & it is for my right hand & has a left hand curve. So I'm I guessing right that it's not a mistake. I got two from Himalayan imports, & they both have the same very slight curve. And I just taught when you would hold the kukri from behind someone too pull across, the curve would be facing up under the chin getting the carotid artery, then up too the apple, then curve back down for the artery on the other side, and then the design of the belly of the blade goes in towards the windpipe. They really put more taught into the design & the slight curve than we give credit for. Because we have been programed I think by modern ways of wanting things to be perfectly straight, I taught I was after getting two knives that were crooked. Now I'm thinking that's a dark tie to its past & have just gained a whole knew respect for the khukri & it's place in history..

[@koosh138]

I would have assumed that bow in the blade, if intentional, might also have been to add tension when in the scabbard to stay in.

[@bushcraftingmuslim]

If that were the purpose I would imagine the scabbard would be bowed rather than the blade, maybe,?

[@koosh138]

@@bushcraftingmuslim no because the blade can act as a metal spring pressing constant tension against the scabbard.

[@bushcraftingmuslim]

@@koosh138 a flat blade will still provide spring tension if the curved scabbard tries to bend it

[@koosh138]

@@bushcraftingmuslim yes but the blade already bent. So you don't need the bent scabbard too.

[@jellekastelein7316]

Neat! I have a number of Indonesian short swords and knives but this is one that is still on my wishlist. The blade profile is not unlike my kabeala, though that one is slightly less pointy, as well as symmetrical with a simple wedge section.

[@kerric7]

Would love to see a video on the beidana. Especially the more decorative examples.