KRIS

As on Java, the traditional kris dagger not only represents the pinnacle of the art of metallurgy but also served at one time as the most important symbol of rank and power for Balinese men. In the not-so-distant past, so much of a man's worth was represented by his kris it could even attend his own wedding in place of himself, or a judge could send his kris to attend a trial if he were ill.
     Now worn more as an accessory to a ritual or as pure ornament, you'll still see men of nobility wear their kris to official ceremonial occasions such as inaugurations, purifications, cremations, and weddings.
     Jewel-encrusted, spiritually charged kris, called kris sakti, were passed down through the generations and were an intrinsic part of the aristocratic male's heirloom, looked upon as a family deity (batara kawitan) and a gift from the gods in which the cumulative strength of all the ancestors still resided. Smiths spent months in perfecting the ruby-studded kris handles of a king. The economic status of a man was determined by the elaborateness of his kris, and much of a man's wealth was invested in the jewels and gold decorating it. The precious stones, jewels, and ivory of a kris can be pawned in case of need, but never the heirloom blade. Less fancy kris, with more pragmatic wooden handles for a better grip, were used in hand-to-hand combat.
     A kris can guard the bearer against evil, disaster, or illness and can bring luck, happiness, and prosperity. It is said that a balian, through consultations and trances, can talk to a venerable kris and learn its past history. Famous, bloodthirsty kris have made men run amok, burned down buildings, killed enemies by being pointed at them, or acted as powerful amulets against misfortune.
     Kris-makers (pande) belonged to a privileged guild who worshipped the volatile, fiery Batur volcano. Since they knew how to work the two magic elements of iron and fire, they were regarded as powerful sorcerers. New kris were brought to life by a priest who blessed them in a magic rite. Today, it's still considered necessary that certain old kris are "kept alive" with offerings (sajen) of incense, fruits, rice, and frangipani because if a kris turns rusty and becomes neglected, it's spiritual power dies.

Components of a Kris
Although the Balinese kris is generally larger and more ornate than the Javanese form, they have basically the same shape. The most sacred and important part is the blade, which can either be straight and simple or shaped like the mythical naga, the body forming the blade and widening as it nears the hilt to form the head of the serpent. This vicious, flame-like blade is full of barbs, indentations, and curlicues wrought in a number of styles.
     The unusual watery rivulets (pamor, which means "metal-alloy") on the blade—silvery metal against blue-black iron—was achieved by endlessly beating alternating layers of meteoric nickel and iron layers. The extraordinary moiré-like damascene pattern, which is thought to give the kris its mystical power, is obtained by blackening the iron layers with a mixture of lemon juice and antimony.
     Hilts were either made of gold set with jewels, or else of ivory, ebony, or other precious woods. The sheath not only protected the kris from physical or psychic damage but also insulated the powerful vibrations emanating from the sinister-looking blade itself, which could bring great harm to anyone who came too near. The sheaths of elaborate kris were made of a rare wood such as kayu katimoho. Particularly in high demand was the incredibly mottled kayu pelet (Cattimarus) which had to be imported from Java. In the old days a raja would pay as much as 50 Dutch guilders for a fine piece of pelet used in the crosspiece (wrangka) or for use in the kris grip (gagang kris).
     Of less value were sheaths made of kayu kemuning (Murraya exotica), aromatic kayu cendana (sandalwood), and kayu jati (teakwood). Sheaths were covered with a wrapper of silver or gold, chased all the way with flower and plant motifs. The handle was shaped like a demon or a god and set with rose diamonds and rubies.
     The most famous kris were taken as Dutch war booty from the corpses of the kings of southern Bali in the great mass-suicide in Denpasar in 1906. These splendid bejeweled specimens may now be seen in the National Museum of Jakarta.