Terms on Pamor

1. Pamor mrambut, term assessment is Pamor impression through palpation. If be touched with the fingertips, such as touching the hair and on the surface of the keris strand of hair, such as the order, or as a fine fiber.

2. Pamor ngawat, assessed based on palpation, but not on sPamor mrambutfine , but as a soft wire.

3. Pamor nggajih, assessed based on the visual, namely Pamor that look like fat frozen patch on the surface of the keris.

4. Pamor mbugisan, assessed based on palpation and visual effects. Be touched feel fine, while the color gradation between the iron and Pamor that a black and white does not contrast.

5. Pamor nyanak, also called peson. Pamor flow pattern is not clear, but the feeling it feels a bit rough.

6. Pamor foundered, the appearance is quite clear and the contrast. But that is only seen a small part of the overall Pamor. Pamor seems most of the 'drowned' in the keris.

7. Pamor kemambang, Pamor is opposite from the clamp. Pamor seems that the keris is embedded in only a few only. If touched, this gives the impression Pamor melted and smooth.

8. Pamor ngintip, which is Pamor rough when touched. Even in some parts of the sometimes feels sharp. Pamor this occurred because the two. First as generous or extravagant master of the material Pamor to excess. The second, because the master Pamor using high quality materials, but the iron that is used less good quality.

9. Pamor mubyar, looks bright, bright, and contrasts with the color of iron. Although the color contra, but melted and smooth when touched.

Power and omen

Image or pattern on Pamor, is the master omen expectations, as well as owner of the keris expectations, almost the same tattoo with the image on the keris. Or maybe the same pattern with the image patkwa by the descendants of Chinese society of the dangers of luck as repellent.

In Javanese culture, a particular form of omen to bring a particular purpose and hope.

The form of sphere, circle, curve, or a pattern that gives the impression melted, thick, not stiff, the mundane or worldly prosperity, wealth, fortune, fortune, rank, and such.

Retire to a corner pattern, form, terms of fracture, such as triangle, rectangle, and similar to it, is regarded as the symbol of hope or power of endurance talisman against temptation, disruption, attack, both physically and non-physical. If the pattern is in the form of Pamor, symbolizing the hope for the potency and strength.

Form a straight line lengthwise or crosswise, or diagonal, as a symbol of hope is the ability to avert or overcome all things that are not expected. Pamor such functions are expected to decline danger, magic and prevent interference being fine, avoid the danger of storms, avoid interference from wild animals and poisonous.

Therefore, a true master can also be spelled out artists who understand the language omen, and use the picture as a medium of communication Pamor.

Type of the Pamor

View from the techniques of making, there are two types of Pamor, namely Pamor mlumah and Pamor miring. Compared with Pamor miring, Pamor mlumah making it easier, and less risk of failure. That is the value of dowry (the price) keris Pamor mlumah cheaper than the keris Pamor miring.

View from the occurrence of Pamor, Pamor types are divided into two large, namely Pamor Tiban or jwalana, and rekan or Pamor anukarta. Pamor Tiban is Pamor motifs or patterns that are not planned by master craftsman. Pamor rekan while the pattern is first planned by master craftsman.

Material of the Pamor

In addition to the understanding of the pattern to its description, Pamor also intended to refer to the understanding of the Pamor material.

There are four types of materials Pamor frequently used in the making of keris, and other tosan aji. From the four, three of which are natural, while the fourth Pamor material is nickel metal that has been pured by the manufacturer.

The oldest pamor material, is the keris form from two or more of the different iron compound. The different Iron compound composition was obtained from the different regions as well. Pamor of this material, which occurs called Pamor sanak.

Other Pamor material is stone or stones falling stars. Use of meteorit for Pamor not only done by the master on the island of Java, but also in other regions in Indonesia. Badik batu and mandau batu, for example, created by the Sulawesi and Kalimantan.

In the South, in addition to stone or stones falling stars, there are other materials Pamor that there are many areas in Luwu. Material from Pamor Luwu, then become a commodity trade between the islands, also known, and even be traded in Singapore, Peninsular Malaysia, and Thailand. They are known as Pamor Luwu or bassi pamoro.

From four different pamor materials, the stone meteor is the best, because it contains titanium material which has many advantages compared with other materials Pamor.

Pamor of the Keris and Tosan Aji

Pamor have two understanding. The first, a description refers to a specific form of line, curve, circle, stain, dot, or stripe that appears on the surface of the keris, spears, and other tosan charm. The second, as the material is Pamor.

Pamor image pattern form on the surface of the keris because of differences in color and feel the difference from the metal used as a raw material for the making of keris, spears, and other tosan charm. With hammering techniques, the metal ignites the raw material in the form of keris lamina, but not the pro or dissolved compound with one another. Because of the slice on the surface of the keris, the pamor image will be created.

Pamor image is made clear with the beautifully made and how to give warang to keris, spears, or tosan aji. Once exposed to solvents the warang, the keris is made of steel will show a black and greyish, that of a black iron, while that of Pamor will display white or silver.

Hammering technique in the making of weapons with Pamor is a unique skill of Indonesia, especially Java. Pamor even art may be spelled the discovery of Indonesian. No nation other than Indonesia, which note in the cultural history of art with Pamor tempa weapons, before the 10 th century.

Some forty years ago, several books written by the West, said that the Persia (now Iran) some centuries ago, also know Pamor with sharp weapons. When stored in the Tehran Museum is tikam weapons and swords decorated with gold Inlay technique. In Java, decorate similar technique called the serasah or sinarasah. That is almost similar to the technique is hammering kris sword of Damascus or Damascus steel (Iraq). The difference, Pamor arising on the surface of the sword in Damascus is not so pay attention-by the sword smith in there. They only made to the sharpness of his sword, not the beauty of his work, because the main goal of making a sword that is only to kill. Unlike the keris, which made not only to injure people, but more to inheritance, to increase the confidence, and pride for themselves, families, and groups.

Origin of the Pamor

No data is written that when the people of Indonesia (Java) to find Pamor weapons with hammering technique. However, if the views that some of the keris Jalak Buddha already Pamor display picture, can be estimated Pamor known at least since the Indonesian people to the centuries-7. Pamor they know it happened because they did not accidentally, when some mix of iron cut from a different area. Differences in the composition of metal in the compound of iron which they used as a raw material for the making of a keris that is the cause of different colors on the surface of the keris, so that the display image Pamor.

Keris and spear in the Jenggala era already engineering keris shown a very beautiful and imposing Pamor. Pamor is clearly not from inadvertence, but because the hammering and engineering techniques from the master. This is a cause, whether Jenggala in the world with the keris Jenggala in science history? Why public culture in the kingdom that was founded on the century-11 is already skilled engineering to create art Pamor?

Type of keris iron according to 'Serat Wesiaji'

There are seventeen of good iron to be used as material heritage. Seventeenth iron are:

Karangkijang, iron is a fiber such as sea water, this is the 'priest' of iron; black rather blue; if beaten slow voice sounds like bees to fly. Power metal is cool and powerful.

Pulasani, iron that looks like stone Asih, silvery green color / nyamberlilen; if beaten slowly sound: Gurr ... Power is sincere, bring food and degrees, both used as the hereditary material.

Mengangkang, the iron is plain, black slightly purple. This type of iron, there are two kinds: Mengangkang men if its beaten slow sound: Drungngng ... (long echo it). Power is excellent, adding that authority. Mengankang women beaten slowly if it sounds like the voice ambrengengeng bees fly. Its power, and be the person to bring sustenance.

Walulin, such as the ironof malela sand (visible crystals that shine in the show surface), the color is rather blue; if its beaten slow sound: Gung ... vibrant, clever appearance (dry impressive). Power is respected, the people, both to keep livestock.

Katub, is like a hair iron, black and slightly green color, shine; if beaten slowly sound: Kung, ambrengengeng such as bees fly. Immune to its power and good for traders.

Kamboja, the iron is a bit of white color, luster fiber; if its beaten slow sound: Ngong Tong-... nging long. This is the 'princess' of iron; the owner can not be adultery. Power is respected people.

Welangi, iron which said came from the sea; colored sulfur; if beaten slowly sounds: Nging ... ambrengengeng sound like bees to fly. Its power for safety and easy to find sustenance, but may not be the money.

Ambal, iron, which is reddish blue, which they say comes from the mountain rock. If beaten slowly, the sound ambrengengeng vibrate. If the material is used as a keris, ambal iron can be powerful and 'draw' other inheritance.

Tumpang, iron is given the title of 'the key of the iron'. Slightly blue purple; The noise if slowly beaten sound: Jrung ... its long reverberation. Power both to its strength and authority.

Winduadi, it seems that iron is derived from the throat Sang Hyang Mudikbathara. White and blue is like glass; The noise if slowly beaten sound:Dung... Power for his strength and fortitude, not submerged in water.

Werani, it seems that iron is derived from Mount Srandil; black quite like purple flowers pupil. The noise if slowly beaten sound: ambrengengeng sound like bees to fly. Power is very powerful, if the owners are in a strong, rank and rank will be increased; if not strong, even the poor.

Terate, iron is black like a mossy, perhaps derived from the stone Asih. If it hit slow like the sound of bees fly. Power is far from the scandal and easy in approach women.

Malela Ruyun, it seems that iron is derived from cendani stone, slightly blue-white, stringy like hair. The noise if slowly beaten sound: Preng ... vibrate. Its power to increase the firmness, courage and faith.

Balitung, the good, the iron is derived from the stone, black purple slightly soupy. The noise if slowly beaten sound: Ting ... long. Power is good for fishermen.

Kenur, is a black iron shine like crow-quill. The noise if slowly beaten sound: Srung ... ambrengengeng. Charged for both merchants and save money.

Malela Kendaga, also called Loya irons; if its beaten slow sound: Tung ... Power to increase its courage and fortitude to keep the faith.

Tumbuk, it seems that iron is derived from Ceylon, slightly yellow, white, sparkling like coral reefs. The noise if is slowly beaten sound: Gong ambrengengeng. Power both to save the property, and the jinn and devils fear Him.

Keris Iron

Iron is the most important element in making the keris, spears, swords, and other traditional weapons. Unlike the other nations, the Indonesian people to know without going through the metal iron, bronze era. That is found in many tools made of iron, but rarely made of bronze.

Iron sand found in many places on the island of Java to create a population It is a skilful smith. Arts hammering in Indonesia may not have high quality as we know now, if not available the raw materials that quite a lot.

Knowledge of the Javanese iron is not limited to fuller knowledge, but also distinguish the type of compound in a one-iron and other iron. Reviewed from the point of modern science, knowledge concerning the matter of the Javanese mineral iron is not quite scientific.

Science iron Javanese do not use the size and measurements of a science, but on sentiment and all body sense. Javanese period prior to distinguish different types of iron with the way, hear the sound when beaten slowly, with a finger, and with a feeling heart. Because of that traditional knowledge is difficult to iron learned and made notes difficult.


Raden Ngabehi Ronggowarsito, poet of Surakarta palace in the 19th century also try to make notes on the various types of iron materials tosan ruler, known by the experts in Surakarta keris. Although written a poet, a record that is still difficult to understand.