Parang latok
| Parang latok | |
|---|---|
A Parang Latok, circa 1800-1899. | |
| Type | Parang, Sword |
| Place of origin | Borneo (Sarawak, Malaysia and West Kalimantan, Indonesia) |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Bornean Malay people, Dayak people (Bidayuh) |
| Specifications | |
| Length | approximately 55 cm (22 in) |
| Blade type | single edged, one sided chisel grind |
| Hilt type | wood |
| Scabbard/sheath | wood |
A parang latok (which is also known as latok, latok buku or parang pathi) is a sword from Borneo in Sarawak, Malaysia; where it is regarded as the national weapon of the Sarawakian Malay people and the Bidayuhs (Land Dayak people), and as well as Kalimantan, Indonesia. It also functions as a machete.
Its used for both timber felling, agricultural activities and warfare is characterised by the noticeable bent at an obtuse angle from one-third of its length starting from the pommel. This parang features a single-edge blade that is heavier and wider towards the point of the blade. The handle of the parang latok is made of wood without a guard and often tied securely with rattan at its grip. It is carried in a long, two-piece wooden sheath to properly hold the blade.
In the past, the parang latok is also used for executing condemned criminals, and the decapitation is normally achieved with a single blow. This parang is used two-handedly, with one hand holding the hilt and the other holding the blade's shoulder, enabling its user to strike downwards.
A smaller version of the parang latok is called the buko, while another variant of the parang latok is known as the sadap.