A Sea Dayak Jimpul

The Dayak people are the main inhabitant of Borneo, Indonesia. The Dayak is a gathering term for several tribes. This ‘Jimpul’ belongs to the ‘Iban’ (Sea Dayak) or ‘Kenyah’ and is one of the typical Dayak swords used for headhunting and as machete in the forest of Kalimantan.

Materials: Bone, Steel, Brass, Wood, Rattan

Kalimantan, Borneo, Indonesia – turn of the 20th century.

Status: Sold

A Jimpul from the Sea Dayak, Borneo

Description

The people from Borneo use a variety of edged weapons. The most iconic are the ‘Parang Ilang’ also known as ‘Mandau’, the ‘Jimpul’ or ‘Parang Djimpu’ and the ‘Langgai Tinggang’.

The ‘Jimpul’ is an intermediary form between the ‘Parang Ilang’ and the ‘Langgai Tinggang’ dating from around 1870. The blade of this machete has flat sides and is distinctly curved. Widening towards the point ending in a rounded tip.

A Dayak warrior with a dead Hornbill wearing a Jimpull
A Dayak warrior with a dead Hornbill wearing a Jimpull – source: Biblio 2016

The blade:

The blade is as mentioned above, flat on both sides in contrary to the Mandau blades which are concave on one side. The blade has a curled motif on the beginning of the blade, known as ‘Krowit’ (Caterpillar). The curved blade ends in a rounded tip with a nice decoration of curves and a brass inlat runnign down to the end of the spine. The spine of the blade is inlayed with noumerous brass inlays. The blade has a fuller on both sides running through untill the decorated tip. The forte is decorated with an engraved motif, finished with brass inlay.
A Djimpul from the Sea Dayak, BorneoA Djimpul from the Sea Dayak, Borneo

Conclusion:

An interesting example of a Jimpul. The handle in typical Borneo style is made of Bone and has a rattan wire to maintain grip. The scabbard is made of two wooden sheets held together by rattan strips with typical Dayak knots. The throat of the scabbard is decorated with traditional carvings.

Condition: Very good, the rattan wind on the handle is movable, but still there. The rattan on the scabbard has two loose ends and the scabbard has a crack. Further good blade with traces of ware.

Dimensions:
Hilt: 12cm
Blade: 43.7cm
Scabbard: 53.2cm
Total length: 64.5cm

A Jimpul from the Sea Dayak, Borneo

 

A Jimpul from the Sea Dayak, Borneo

 

A Jimpul from the Sea Dayak, Borneo

A Jimpul from the Sea Dayak, Borneo

A Jimpul from the Sea Dayak, BorneoA Jimpul from the Sea Dayak, Borneo

 

 

A Jimpul from the Sea Dayak, Borneo

 

 

 

 

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Copyright by Peter Andeweg – 2020

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