Traditional Weapon Kujang
Traditional Weapon Kujang
Traditional Weapon Kujang
MASTERPIECE OF INDONESIA
By :
Endang Naryono
Lecturer of the Pasim College of Economics
rtumarima@gmail.com
ABSTRACTION
West Java in ancient times called Pasundan was a large area for Sunda known as the
Pajajaran Kingdom led by Prabu Dewataprana Sri Baduga Maharaja or Jayadewata who
was better known to the wider community by the name Prabu Siliwangi. At that time the
Sunda Hindu Kingdom was in crisis because of the influence of Islam brought by Indian
Gujarat merchants. So that Prabu Siliwangi made an ancient literary text as a way of life
for the Sundanese people. Reporting from Wikipedia, Prabu Siliwangi made a life guide
book called Sanghyang Siksa Kandang Karesian in 1518 as a provision for community
life in Pajajaran. The book contains various kinds of norms, morals, culture, customs, to
the typical arts of Pajajaran. One of the traditional weapons listed in the ancient text is
the cleaver.
A. INTRODUCTION
Kujang has a very long historical background with the process of its creation which
has been widely studied in previous research. Based on the evidence that has been found,
many of the cleavers were created during the Pajajaran kingdom. There is even a mention
that the cleaver existed during the Tarumanegara kingdom. Although the name of the
cleaver was never written in the inscription, there is a lot of evidence that supports its
existence, such as the Batu Kujang megalithic site in the Sukabumi area, the discovery of
kudi in the Batujaya Karawang temple complex, the reliefs of the Sukuh temple in
Surakarta, the notes of Stamford Raffles in the book "History of Java". , etc.
In the archipelago in general, the "Kudi" tool is known as a weapon for hunting and
as a cutting tool. Kudi is found in various regions in Indonesia, including the islands of
Alor, Java, Madura, Bali, Sumatra, Sulawesi, and Kalimantan. On the island of Madura,
the kudi evolved into a weapon that we now know as "celurit". While on the island of
Java in general, kudi evolved into a form of tool called bendo sickle (kudi bendo) or
sickle. Since the days of the Javanese Hindu kingdom, the masters or blacksmiths in
Indonesia have made kudi as a tool, then in West Java itself the kudi developed a special
form, becoming what we know as "cleaver".
Kujang is a weapon that has sacred and mystical values and is useful as a means of
ritual. In general, the deer has an understanding as an heirloom that has aesthetic values
that have symbolic and philosophical meaning of Sundanese culture, where these values
and meanings have a certain mystical power that comes from Hyang Tunggal. As an
heirloom, the cleaver has always had a special position specifically in Sundanese society,
not as a weapon, nor as a tool used for people's daily activities. Kujang functions as
KUJANG 1
spiritual objects or better known as heirlooms and talismans. Another function is as a
mystical medium, a status symbol, and a talisman
The name "Kujang" comes from the words Ku Jawa Hyang or Ku Dyah Hyang. In
the early Pajajaran era, the cleaver had approached visual perfection after being perfected
by famous Mpu, such as Empu Windu Sarpa, Mercukunda, and Ramayadi. As an object
of creation, the cleaver cannot be separated from the fulfillment of ritual needs that have
shifted to Javanese Hinduism. Apart from fulfilling ritual needs, the cleaver has evolved
by itself as a complement to the values of Sundanese culture at that time. The
development of the system and the unification of thought became the impetus to enrich
the form of cleaver art, such as the forms that exist today.
It is estimated that in 1170 AD, the cleaver began to be used by early Pajajaran
royal officials as heirlooms. The cleaver serves as a symbol of rank, respect for leaders,
the value of a teaching and so on. According to some experts, the basic shape of the
KUJANG 2
cleaver is a picture of the Pasundan area and parts of Java which also contains the Trimurti
symbol (three holes).
In people's lives there is a different attitude towards the cleaver, it is because the
community considers the cleaver to be mystical. In each area, there are generally a
number of kris that are quite large, in contrast to the cleaver which is given a special
attitude by the community. In a very symbolic cleaver ceremony, such as when going to
cut rice, cut down trees, and so on, the cleaver only starts it and then cuts and cuts using
sickles and axes. This explains that in society the cleaver is very symbolic and is treated
specifically. According to some sources, the name and shape of the cleaver is taken from
the Sundanese admiration for the kudhang or kidang or deer, which are agile, agile, have
long and forked horns, which scare other animals.
Kujang is a traditional weapon typical of West Java whose shape is often used as
batik motifs, statues, and symbols that reflect the Sundanese. Reporting from the official
website of the Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, the term
cleaver comes from the ancient Sundanese language "kudi" which means a weapon or
amulet with supernatural powers and "hyang" which means god. So literally the cleaver
can be interpreted as an amulet or weapon that has the magical power of a god in it. Aris
Kurniawan in the Journal of Historical and Philosophical Studies of Kujang (2014) states
that the cleaver has sacred and mystical values used as a mystical medium, a status symbol
(rank), respect (to people who have contributed greatly to the kingdom), and amulets or
heirlooms of high-ranking officials and nobles. Pajajaran work. Kujang is used as a
multifunctional tool that cannot be separated from the life of the Sundanese people. The
cleaver used by the people has a simple shape and is made of materials that are not too
expensive. While the cleaver used by the higher-ups has expensive materials and
luxurious designs.
The parts of the Kujang Kujang consist of four main parts, namely: Papatuk or
congo is the part at the tip of the cleaver that is sharp and sharp. Silih or eluk is the body
of a cleaver whose shape is curved like one side of a bird's wing that stretches out. The
cistern is the prominent part of the cleaver's stomach. The eye is the hole in the cleaver.
KUJANG 3
Kujang is not just a curved weapon. The cleaver is made by blacksmiths with various
traditional rituals and is also maintained with traditional rituals. The cleaver is an aesthetic
weapon that is shaped with unique and beautiful carvings, so the cleaver can be called a
form of masterpiece of art.
B. BASIC THOUGHTS
Kujang is a human manifestation as the embodiment of the most perfect universe.
Kujang is a philosophical value of divine teachings / guidelines or ageman about the
origin of the universe which is used as the basis of a country based on noble religious
values. Kujang form is a manifestation of human form as a perfect creation. Kujang form,
is a manifestation of the universe which will later be written in Aji Saka Purwawisesa
script in the Sang Saka Cretan language or Sanskrit (Sankskrit). The naming of the manuk
as a symbol of state sovereignty is then personified in the form of a bird, and the bird is
the only reason or background for the imagery. These symbols tend to be "abstract" far
from reality, but to their rational and empirical patterns and structures. (Aris Kurniawan
2014)
KUJANG 4
megalithic site of the Batu Kujang mountain in the Sukabumi area, the discovery of kudi
in the Batujaya Karawang temple complex, the reliefs of the Sukuh temple in Surakarta,
Sir Stamford Raffles' notes in The History of Java and so on. Aris Kurniawan (2014)
According to the results of Slamet Kuntjoro's study, it is estimated that before metal
technology was achieved during the Dongson culture or the bronze age, humans had
created various basic forms of tools. Typical weapons or tools are made of flat stone, then
due to technological developments, the basic raw materials are made of bronze. The tool
is used as a cutting tool, slashing and can be thrown to hit the target of the game. This
form of stone and bronze tools developed after wrought iron technology was mastered.
Another opinion states that in the archipelago in general, "kudi" tools (in the form of
resembling deer antlers) become hunting weapons and cutting tools.
C. KUJANG
Kudi is found in various regions in Indonesia, including; the islands of Alor, Java,
Madura, Bali, Sumatra, Sulawesi and Kalimantan. It is said that khodiq on the island of
Madura evolved as a common weapon called "calok" or kudi calok (calok Monteng) until
it reached its shape (evolutively) which we now know as sickle or sickle. While on the
island of Java in general, the kudi has evolved into a form of tool called a bendo sickle
(kudi bendo) or sickle (functionally). Kujang (for the Pasundan area) is a weapon that has
sacred and mystical values (a ritual tool).
It is very clear that the nail and cleaver developed different functions. Kudi became
a functional tool in Java, maybe even the entire archipelago, while the cleaver was more
specifically developed and evolved in the Pasundan area (Java Island in general?). Kujang
functions as spiritual objects or better known as heirlooms and talismans. The multi-
function of the kudi, among others, as a rice cutting tool (scythe), as a self-defense tool.
While the cleaver serves as a mystical medium, a status symbol and a talisman (pajimatan)
or sipat kandel (piandel).
At the time of Pajajaran Makukuhan or early Pajajaran (according to existing
references) the cleaver had approached perfection in a visual way, after being designed
or designed by famous Mpu such as Empu Windu Sarpa, Mercukunda, and Ramayadi.
As an object of creation, the cleaver cannot be separated from fulfilling the needs of
KUJANG 5
cultural rituals that have shifted to Javanese Hinduism. The cleaver was not only created
to fulfill ritual needs, but also evolved as a complement to the values of Sundanese culture
at that time.
The development of the system in value or order and the unification of thought
became the impetus to enrich the form of cleaver form, such as the forms found today. It
is estimated that in 1170 AD, the cleaver as a talisman or heirloom (piandel) began to be
used by officials and nobles of the Pajajaran Makukuhan kingdom. The cleaver serves as
a symbol of rank status, respect for leaders who have contributed greatly to the country,
the value of a teaching and so on (the reign of King Kuda Lalean). As a result of the
relationship between the development of the constitutional system and the teachings of
Sunda Wiwitan (Sunda tikkan or Sundanese adab) the form of a cleaver developed as an
implementation of mapping the island of Java (Ku Jawa Hyang). That what is called the
great magic of ancient people is still found in speech culture (oral).
KUJANG 6
Sunda cleaver Based on initial observations, it can be seen that the cleaver has a
wealth of shapes and sizes. In various previous studies, this has not been studied in depth
about the cleaver with this understanding. The diversity of the shape of the cleaver is very
interesting to study more deeply. Kujang was originally a multi-functional tool and
weapon. This is evidenced by the use of kudi and cleaver as tools in several areas such as
the Banyumas (kudi) area, the traditional Pancer Pangawinan community in Cisolok,
Sukabumi Regency, and Kanekes Banten Province. Based on the evidence of artifacts
found in the Kanekes (Bedouin) area of Banten province, it turns out that the
characteristics of the cleaver which is categorized as a multifunctional tool is very
different in character from the cleaver which is a weapon (heirloom) of the Sundanese
people.
For the Kanekes community, the cleaver refers to a multi-functional tool, which is
generally called a machete by people outside of Kanekes. Thus the cleaver referred to by
the Kanekes community is a tool that only has a practical function or value, while the
cleaver which is a Sundanese heirloom and the object in this study is an heirloom that has
symbolic and philosophical values. This is very interesting for the author to conduct a
deeper study, because the theory has become a reference (a cleaver as a multifunctional
tool) and an understanding of society in general. The discovery of various variants of
cleaver form from various regions in West Java as research samples, is increasingly
interesting to explore further.
Although the cleaver is found in various areas in West Java, this does not mean that
the cleaver represents the area where it was found and created in that area. Kujang cannot
be equated with handicraft products that are characteristic of certain regions such as batik.
Batik with the motif of the Ngibing Peacock is a characteristic of the Garut region and
Batik Mega Mendung is the hallmark of Cirebon. Meanwhile the cleaver and several other
types of tosan aji (which date back to the ancient period) are not like that. Kujang relates
to something broader and more cosmological. Tracing the existence of a cleaver is a very
challenging activity, and it is as if entering the wilderness of a foreign culture. In fact,
there are a lot of cleavers that are no longer intact, and make the chain of history broken.
Finding various forms of cleavers is a matter of pride in itself, meaning that the
cleaver as historical evidence has been saved. The naming and classification of the shape
of the cleaver is also very diverse, so it is difficult to determine which one best fits the
characteristics of the shape of the cleaver in question. While one form of kudi (the shape
is the same as the old kudi) is still widely used by rural communities in the Cilacap,
KUJANG 7
Banyumas, Purwokerto and surrounding areas. When compared with the naming of the
kris (artificial discipline or style) of keris, such as Bango Dolog, Kuntul Ngantuk, Banyak
Angrem, Kebo Theki and so on, the name is not always based on the similarity of the
shape of the blade.
Bango Bolog's kitchen kris does not resemble a crane at all, and the kris with the
sleepy egret's kitchen does not resemble an egret and Kebo Theki does not resemble a
buffalo. In the discipline of naming in tosan aji (kris and tumbak) it does not always
directly state the relationship with the form of the form. To understand and know the
background of the different principles in naming the cleaver and other types of tosan aji,
various knowledge related to tosan aji in general and Sundanese culture are needed.
Sundanese cosmology as the basis for analyzing and studying the shape of the cleaver is
expected to lead to an understanding of the value of form, naming, aesthetics, symbols
and philosophical meanings contained in each blade of the cleaver. The phenomenon of
the cleaver as a value is widely expressed in various Sundanese fairy tales such as,
"Kujang at Hanjuang Siang Seven Ronggeng when Sirna", "Upload Kidang Down
Kujang", "Kujang two Pangadekna or Pangadegna", "Kujang Keur naratas in the Nature
of Authority", and others. Etc
KUJANG 8
process of human birth and life, according to the interpretation contained in the Silib. The
description of the morphology of the cleaver and the relationship of forms can be seen in
the following figure.
Cleaver as a Picture of Territory of Power In the early Pajajaran Makukuhan or
Pajajaran era, the cleaver was nearing perfection in visuals, after being designed or
designed in the 4-7th century AD by famous MPUs such as Empu Windu Sarpa,
Mercukunda, and Ramayadi. As an object of creation, the cleaver cannot be separated
from fulfilling the needs of cultural rituals that have shifted to Javanese Hinduism. The
cleaver was not only created to fulfill ritual needs, but also evolved as a complement to
the values of Sundanese culture at that time. The development of the system in value or
order and the unification of thought became the impetus to enrich the form of cleaver
form, such as the forms found today. It is estimated that in 1170 AD, the cleaver as an
amulet or heirloom (piandel) began to be used by high-ranking officials and nobles of the
Pajajaran Makukuhan kingdom.
The cleaver serves as a symbol of rank status, respect for leaders who have
contributed greatly to the country, the value of a teaching and so on (the reign of King
Kuda Lalean)[9]. As a result of the relationship between the development of the
constitutional system and the teachings of Sunda Wiwitan (Sunda tikkan or Sundanese
adab) the form of a cleaver developed as an implementation of mapping the island of Java
(Ku Jawa Hyang). That what is called the great magic of ancient people is still found in
speech culture (oral).
The note was found and confirmed by Alexander Lee, an occult expert and
professor of metaphysics from America, the note stated, among other things, that in one
of his ascetics, Prabu Kudo Lalean during the Pajajaran Makukuhan kingdom found a
visual picture or vision of the shape of the earth. which he stepped on now. So Kudo
Lalean asked for an examination of the visual experts. Master Windu Sarpo also
confirmed what was found visually by Prabu Kudo Lalea, namely the visualization of the
island of Java” (Ku Jawa Hyang). Then after that, the mandate was handed over to Mpu
KUJANG 9
Windu Sarpo according to the results of his exploration of the shape of the island "Java
Dwipa".
Another note was disclosed by Sulaeman Kapanradja from Ciledug Garut who
researched kudi and cleavers. Sulaeman Kapanradja found several ancient Javanese
scripts which stated: “…A cleaver called the great cleaver of Prabu Wangi or Sang Nata
(the king of Pasundan who died in the Bubat war scandal in 1357 AD), is in the form of
a map of Sunda land (not the island of Java), the area is up to Central Java region. The
cleaver depicts Ujung Kulon, Banten Bay, Pelabuhan Ratu and others.
Solomon's opinion is different from the previous two opinions. However, the basic
form of the cleaver is correct as a depiction of the shape of a map of the Pasundan area or
the island of Java. That the cleaver is a map form which also contains the Trimurti symbol
(three holes), is close to reasoning. However, another opinion states, because the agrarian
world is agriculture where rice is the main one. As is well known, the Karawang area is
the granary of West Java, and sites that indicate the existence of the Sunda kingdom (Batu
Jaya Temple, Karawang during the Taruma Nagara period) were found The aesthetic form
of the cleaver may be a complement to the ritual depiction of a bird as a symbol of
enlightenment (silib-siloka in Sundanese). Moreover, if you look at the slender cleaver,
the pangarak (in some areas it is popularly known as the term “Cangak”) can be
considered to represent the shape of the bird.
The relics of the ancient beauty are certain to be worked on by a master or teacher.
Snouck Hurgronje, Hazeu, Kern, and G.P. Rouffaer in 1909 reported his research on the
kudi as an ancient sharp weapon in Madura and in Central Java (Purwokerto Banyumas).
Actually, their observations are very close to the truth and very critical. That the kudi
disappeared and developed into a new form of kudi, while the cleaver became a
ceremonial heirloom and a symbol for kings. The new form of weapon is called Kudi
Hyang, in the sense of a "holy" (sacred) kudi specifically for ceremonies or personal
holdings or piandel.
It turns out that it is precisely the kudi that are actually used as weapons or furniture
for agricultural tools, while the Kudi Hyang or Kudi Hiyang (Kudyang) are never used
carelessly except for self-preservation. Agricultural tools have never had a prestige. A
tool of war or a weapon whose blade has prestige. So the sources that mention magic
weapons are quite a lot. However, sources that tell how the weapon was made, how to
KUJANG 10
use panday, what kind of iron, what knowledge and so on, are very minimal. Metals that
are often referred to are gold, silver, iron, steel, tin.
D. CLOSING
In general, the cleaver has the meaning of an heirloom that has aesthetic value
which has philosophical and symbolic meaning of Sundanese culture. Where these values
and meanings have a certain mystical power that comes from Hyang Tunggal. As a wesi
aji or heirloom from the past until now the cleaver occupies a very special position in
Sundanese society. which is out of the context of the way people express themselves.
Thus, the method or approach used in uncovering the intrinsic dimensions of Sundanese
artifacts such as the Sunda Buhun (Old Sundanese) Palintangan Science based on the
Sanskrit Script discipline or Ha Na Ca Ra Ka (cacarakan) based on the Jendra
Hayuningrat Literature book, Three Sunda Patterns (Sundanese Cosmology). , Pancaniti
or Five Titian Sciences, Sundanese Aesthetic Concepts on Kujang, Kujang Visual
Concepts, are the correct and relevant methods or approaches in the context of eastern
philosophy, as well as philosophy of art. This is because the method or approach is based
on the life guidance of the Sundanese people, which is their way of philosophizing,
building knowledge and explanatory power, building an aesthetic distance, as well as
being critical, with the artifacts of their own cultural heritage.
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