A dohong (also duhong or duhung) is a dagger or short war sword from
Borneo
Borneo () is the List of islands by area, third-largest island in the world, with an area of , and population of 23,053,723 (2020 national censuses). Situated at the geographic centre of Maritime Southeast Asia, it is one of the Greater Sunda ...
. The name is used figuratively to imply bravery. In other parts of Borneo, it is referred to as a mandau. The dohong is thought to be an ancient Dayak sword, used long before the
mandau
The Mandau () is a river in Bohemia (Czech Republic) and Saxony (Germany). It is a left tributary of the Lusatian Neisse, which it joins near Zittau.
It originates from multiple springs north of the 580.6m (1902 feet AMSL) Wolf Mountain (Czec ...
was introduced. It is believed to be the oldest weapon of the
Dayak people
The Dayak (; older spelling: Dajak) or Dyak or Dayuh are the native groups of Borneo. It is a loose term for over 200 riverine and hill-dwelling ethnic groups, located principally in the central and southern interior of Borneo, each with its ...
. According to folklore, the first people who owned the Dohong were the forefathers of the Dayaks, namely Raja Sangen, Raja Sangiang, and Raja Bunu.
Description
There are two types of dohong. One version serves for combat; the other as a ceremonial weapon.
The dohong has a double-edged, leaf- or wedge-shaped blade. The blade widens from the hilt to the end-tip. The tip is pointed. The blade usually has a central ridge and looks similar to a spearhead. There are different versions that differ in shape, hilt and decoration. There are blades that represent a figure with arms and legs. The hilt, with no guard, is often decorated with feathers and is made of wood or antler.
The scabbards are made of wood in two halves, held together with rattan straps. The surfaces are decorated with carvings, often depicting a face.
The ceremonial dohong is used in mourning ceremonies, and is worn by women when warriors return from headhunting to the village. Amulets made of shark teeth or bear claws are often attached to the belt that holds the dohong.
See also
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Mandau (knife)
A mandau is the traditional weapon of the Dayak people of Borneo. It is also known as parang ilang among the Bidayuh, Iban and Penan people, malat by the Kayan people, baieng by the Kenyah people, or bandau by Lun Bawang, and pelepet or fele ...
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Langgai tinggang
A Langgai tinggang (other names include langgi tinggang, mandau langgi tinggan) is a traditional sword of the Sea Dayak people, originating from Borneo. The name "langgai tinggang" means "the longest tail-feather of a hornbill".
Description
Th ...
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Niabor
A niabor (other names include beadah, naibor, nyabor, nyabur, parang njabur laki-laki) is a curved sword from Borneo, a characteristic weapon of the Sea-Dayaks.
Description
The niabor's blade has a convex edge and concave back, broadening tow ...
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Pakayun
The pakayun, as it is called among Malay-speaking Muruts, or parapat in the Murutic languages, Murut language, or pelepet or felepet to the Lun Bawang / Lundayeh people, is a sword characteristic of the Murut people of Borneo.
The pakayun is a s ...
References
Edged and bladed weapons
Weapons of Indonesia
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