are observed to this day, against a person of inferior birth wearing a kris
ornamented with gold.”^206
Besides the mode above described, several other methods of measuring the k’ris
are also in vogue. They differ in various matters of detail, and will be found in
the Appendix.
The measurement of one-edged weapons is effected as follows:—
Measure the length of the weapon from hilt to point, and fold the string so
measured in two. Measure off this half-length from the hilt and see how often
the breadth of the blade is contained in the whole length of the string. Each time,
however, that the edge is reached, the string must be marked or dented, and the
long end wrapped round and round the blade, so that the measurement of each
breadth is consecutive to the preceding breadth, the portion of the string which is
stretched across the back of the blade not being counted.
This method is called ukor mata sa-b’lah, and is used by Sumatran Malays,
especially in Menangkabau.
Spearheads can also be measured:—
Measure off the length of the spearhead and fold the string in two; see how often
the breadth is contained in the half of the string; if the blade is a good one, it
must be five and a half times (tĕngah anam). This is called ukor orang Perak or
ukor tĕngah anam.
Another superstition connected with weapons is described as follows by Sir
Frank Swettenham. It illustrates the magic powers attributed to the Pawang in so
many departments of nature and life, but does not seem to have any special
object or meaning.
“A great many Malays and one or two Europeans may be found who profess to
have seen water drawn from a kris. The modus operandi is simple. The pâwang
(I dare not call him conjurer) works with bare arms to show there is no
deception. He takes the kris (yours, if you prefer it) from its wooden handle, and,
holding the steel point downwards in his left hand, he recites a short incantation
to the effect that he knows all about iron, and where it comes from, and that it