Piso Halasan

A Piso Halasan (also known as an Eccat, Ekkat, Engkat, or Piso Eccat) is a traditional sword of the Batak people from North Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra, Indonesia.

Piso Halasan
An illustration of a Piso Halasan
TypeSword
Place of originIndonesia (North Sumatra)
Service history
Used byBatak people
Specifications
Length65–100 cm
Blade typeSingle edge
Hilt typeDeer horn, antelope horn, ivory
Scabbard/sheathWood

Description

A Piso Halasan is typically a sword with a hilt made of deer horn or antelope horn, although horn-shaped hilts of cast metal are also found. The blade is made of a mixture of several kinds of metal and is used as a deadly weapon in battles.[1] It has a straight back and a narrow point. Its broadest part is near the point, and there is a notch near the hilt. The scabbard is broader at the top and usually terminates at the bottom in a narrow curved point, partly or totally covered with metal.[2] The sword may be adorned with engravings and forged with metals that include poisons.[3]

Cultural

Batak land (North Sumatra) consisted of many kingdoms which were governed by raja (kings or leaders). Piso Halasan was a symbol of power for the kings and leader in Batak land. Piso Halasan can be translated as The Sword of Happiness, the sword was created to enable the master of the sword to bring happiness to the people they rule. Piso Halasan was a very dangerous weapon and often used in battle. Poison was often applied to the edge of the blade when it was used for battle.[4] Only rich rajas and other dignitaries possessed a Piso Halasan with an ivory hilt, known as a Piso Gading.[3]

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See also

References
  1. Jamaludin S. Hasibuan (1982). Primitive Art of the Ancient Batak in Sumatra, Volume 1. Yayasan K.J. Mahoni. ASIN B0006ECEMW.
  2. Albert G Van Zonneveld (2002). Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago. Koninklyk Instituut Voor Taal Land. ISBN 90-5450-004-2.
  3. Jamaludin S. Hasibuan (1986). Batak Art And Culture. J. Hasibuan. ASIN B0000CQNRS.
  4. Bisuk Siahaan (2005). Batak Toba: Kehidupan Di Balik Tembok Bambu. Kempala Foundation. ISBN 979-99530-0-6.

Further reading
  • George Cameron Stone; Donald J. LaRocca (1999). A Glossary of The Construction, Decoration and Use of Arms and Armor: In All Countries and In All Times. Courier Dover Publications. ISBN 978-0-486-40726-5.
  • Hasibuan, Jamaludin S.; William M. Gaugler (1982). Primitive Art of the Ancient Batak in Sumatra: Volume 1. Yayasan K.J. Mahoni. ASIN B0006ECEMW.
  • Evangelista, Nick; William M. Gaugler (1995). The Encyclopedia of The Sword. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0-313-27896-9.
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