Sikin Panjang (also known as Sikin Panyang, Gloepak Sikin, Glupak Sikin, Jekinpandjang, Loedjoe Aceh, Loedjoe Atjeh, Loedjoe Naru, Ludju Naru, Narumo, Sekin Pandjang, Sekin Panjang, Sekin Pandjang, Sekin Panjang Meutatah, Thikin Panjang) is a sword originated from northern Sumatra,

Indonesia Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It consists of over 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, and parts of Borneo and New Guine ...

History

The Sikin Panjang is the most popular fighting weapon of the inhabitants of northern Sumatra. In the early years of the

Aceh War The Aceh War ( id, Perang Aceh), also known as the Dutch War or the Infidel War (1873–1913), was an armed military conflict between the Sultanate of Aceh and the Kingdom of the Netherlands which was triggered by discussions between represen ...

against the Dutch (which began in 1873 and lasted for over thirty years) many Sikins were made, especially prior to 1879 when a start was made with disarmament of the population. It is a version of Klewang. The spread of the Sikin Panjang was limited to Sumatra, and especially to Aceh and Gayo (where the term Luju Naru is used), but also in Alas (where it is named Andar) and to a lesser degree in the Batak area. Another typical sword in this region is the Balato of the

Nias people Nias people are an ethnic group native to Nias, an island off the west coast of North Sumatra, Indonesia. In the Nias language, the Nias people are known as Ono Niha, which literally means 'descendants of human'. Nias island is known as ''Tanö ...

. During the Aceh Sultanate period, the ''Panglima Prang'' (warlord) ranking titles were given. The Sikin Panjang and

Rencong The rencong (Acehnese language, Acehnese: ''reuncong'', Dutch spelling: ''rentjong'', British spelling: ''renchong'') is a type of knife originating in Aceh, Indonesia. Originally a fighting weapon, it is most often seen today in the martial art ...

which the ''Panglima Prang'' receives from the ''Ulubalang'' (district chief) on his appointment, he must return to the ''Ulubalang'' again if he should ever embrace the cause of an enemy of the ''Ulubalang''. Person of position or those who are going on a journey carry in addition the Sikin Panjang which is the common weapon used in fighting. It is of uniform width from end to end, and placed in a sheath.

Description

The Sikin Panjang is a straight, single edged sword. The sword comes with its sheath, and carried at the waist. Parts of the Sikin Panjang includes the ''wilah'' (blade), ''hulu'' (handle), ''sarung'' (sheath). The back and the edge of the blade are parallel making it a very straight sword. The blade also has a hollow ground edge throughout the blade. The hilt is shaped like the letter Y, with its length up to 25 cm. The moderate overall length of the sword is approximately 70 to 79 cm. The blade of the sword is usually made of ''pamor'' ( pattern welding or Damascus) steel.

History

Description

See also

References

Further reading