Mandau (knife)
| Mandau | |
|---|---|
A mandau complete with a langgei puai (whittling blade), pre-1927. | |
| Type | Sword, cutlass, ceremonial blade |
| Place of origin | Borneo (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia) |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Dayak (Sea Dayak, Bidayuh, Kayan, Kenyah, Penan, Lun Bawang/Lundayeh) |
| Specifications | |
| Blade type | Single edge, one side convex and concave on the other side |
| Hilt type | Antler/deer horn, wood, animal or human hair |
| Scabbard/sheath | Wood, antler or bone fittings, animal or human hair |
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 felepet by Lundayeh. The mandau is mostly ceremonial, but a less elaborate version called an ambang is used as an everyday practical tool.
Associated with the headhunting ceremony, in which people would gather to attack other tribes and gather heads to be used in various festivities, the mandau is both a work of art and a weapon.