Mandau
Mandau is a type of Dayak weapon which is handed down from generation to generation. This weapon is believed to have holy and supernatural powers.
Mandau is a long machete-like weapon adorned with carvings made of either gold, silver, or bronze. The handle is made from either antler or fine quality wood. It is beautifully carved in order to demonstrate the value of ancient Dayak spirits.
The handle is also decorated with hair and feathers. Its scabbard is made of wood and it is carved and decorated with rattan and feathers from the hornbill or peacock. Beads are also used to decorate the scabbard. On the scabbard there is a folded animal skin or bark attached, and in it there is a small sharp-pointed knife with a long handle.
Apart from Mandau, the Dayaks have a number of weapons for many uses:
Sipet (blow pipe) for hunting. This weapon is handed down from generation to generation. The Dayaks are taught how to make it from the previous generations. It is constructed from iron wood, which is called in Dayak language "tabalien" or "ulin." A sipet is usually 5 cms in diameter and 1.50 ms at length. On one end of it is bound a daggs-like knife so that the Sipet looks like a spear. The "Damek" (bullet) of the Sipet is made of bamboo and light sponge wood (a kind of material used in making cork). A piece of bamboo is formed as a big palm leaf rib. One end is attached to a piece of spongy wood, while the other end is formed in an arrow shape. On this end, poison is applied to kill the animal. This poison is called "Ipuh." In order to avoid unnecessary handling, the damek are kept in a bamboo container, covered with a lid. This is called "Telep". A sipet can be used in two ways. It is used as blowpipe for hunting far away targets and as a spear for short distance targets.
Sarapang (four-branch arrow). This object is not used as weapon. Instead, it is used to hunt fish. Branches are constructed into a square. A Sarapang is made of iron and it is attached to a long bamboo handle.
SOURCE :www.petra.ac.id/eastern/cent_kal/weapon.htm
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