Original 19th Century Borneo Dayak Headhunters Mandau with Pisau Raout Knife & Wooden Scabbard Original Items

Original Items: Only One Set Available. The 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 or Baieng by the Kenyah people or Bandau by Lun Bawang or Pelepet/Felepet by Lundayeh. The design is even used by the Moro people of the Philippines, where it is called the Kampilan. The Mandau is mostly ceremonial, however a less elaborate version called Ambang is used as an everyday practical tool.

Associated with the Headhunting Ceremony, where people would gather to attack other tribes, and gather heads to be used in various festivities, Mandau is both a work of art in itself and a weapon.

Characteristics for the Mandau is that the blade is shaped convexly on one side and somewhat concavely on the other side. The blade is mostly made of tempered metals, with exquisite vine-works and inlaid brass. The hilt is made from animal horns, such as deer’s horns, although some variations with human bones and fragrant wood also have been found. Both the hilt and scabbard are elaborately carved and plumed. Details of carvings vary from tribe to tribe, but mostly depict creatures or, if human bones were used, anthropomorphic deities. A Mandau is often accompanied with a whittling knife, generally referred to as a Pisau Raout, and the the back of the scabbard usually has a těmpěsing, a sheath for the by knife.

Ambang is a term used for Mandau that is made from common steel. Often it is also made as souvenir. For the untrained eye and those who are not familiar with the Mandau, will not be able to distinguish the difference between a Mandau and an Ambang because of the outlook appearance that looks almost similar. However the two are actually very different. The Mandau holds a stronger edge and with flexibility, as it is said that the Mandau is made from iron ore obtained from rocky mountains forged by skilled blacksmiths. Whereas the Ambang is made from ordinary steel.

We believe that this example is Mandau and not the souvenir Ambang, as this blade has the proper flex and bend seen with Mandau. We can also see variations in the color and grain of the blade, indicating that it was traditionally made from iron ore via a crucible process. The handle is made from engraved / carved bone or antler, which has an angled off section at the bottom serving as a pommel. The top of the grip is wrapped with plaited plant fibers, with some leather where it meets the blade. There are plumes attached to the bottom of the  handle, as well as on the side. Definitely a very decorative handle that took a long amount of time to produce, and not something made for every day use.

The scabbard is made of wood and is very decorative, with carvines on the outer side and on the bottom. There are also wrapped rattan bindings called poesět-blanak, as well as additional rattan decorations. It has some additional straight bindings for added strength. At the back of the scabbard is a těmpěsing, a sheath for the by knife, called pisau raout. This is made with wooden shaft with very nicely carved pointed pommel piece with a small face carved into it.

This is truly a wonderful, yet morbid item from the famous headhunters of Borneo. Comes more than ready for further research and display! We have had a few of these before, but never one with the scabbard and knife!

Specifications (Mandau):-
Blade length: 24”
Blade Style: Mandau Single Edge
Overall length: 31 1/2”
Scabbard Length: 27 1/4″

Specifications (Pisau Raout):-
Blade length: 4”
Blade Style: Single Edge
Overall length: 16 1/4”

Headhunting
Headhunting is the practice of hunting a human and collecting the severed head after killing the victim, although sometimes more portable body parts (such as ear, nose or scalp) are taken instead as trophies. Headhunting was practiced in historic times in parts of Europe, East Asia, Oceania, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Mesoamerica, West and Central Africa.

The headhunting practice has been the subject of intense study within the anthropological community, where scholars try to assess and interpret its social roles, functions, and motivations. Anthropological writings explore themes in headhunting that include mortification of the rival, ritual violence, cosmological balance, the display of manhood, cannibalism, dominance over the body and soul of his enemies in life and afterlife, as a trophy and proof of killing (achievement in hunting), show of greatness, prestige by taking on a rival’s spirit and power, and as a means of securing the services of the victim as a slave in the afterlife.

Today’s scholars generally agree that headhunting’s primary function was ritual and ceremonial. It was part of the process of structuring, reinforcing, and defending hierarchical relationships between communities and individuals. Some experts theorize that the practice stemmed from the belief that the head contained “soul matter” or life force, which could be harnessed through its capture.