Kalis
Type of Philippine sword / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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A kalis (Baybayin: ᜃᜎᜒ or ᜃᜎᜒᜐ᜔; Jawi script: كاليس ;Abecedario: cáli, cális) is a type of Philippine sword. The kalis has a double-edged blade, which is commonly straight from the tip but wavy near the handle. Kalis exists in several variants, either with a fully straight or fully wavy blade. It is similar to the Javanese keris, but differs in that the kalis is a sword, not a dagger. It is much larger than the keris and has a straight or slightly curved hilt, making it a primarily heavy slashing weapon (in contrast to the stabbing pistol grip of the keris).
Kalis ᜃᜎᜒ/ᜃᜎᜒᜐ᜔ كاليس | |
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Type | Sword |
Place of origin | Philippines |
Service history | |
In service | Tondo, Rajahnate of Cebu, Butuan, Rajahnate of Maynila, Ma-i, Sultanate of Maguindanao, Sultanate of Sulu, Bruneian Empire |
Used by | Moro people (Sama people, Maguindanao people, Maranao people, Tausūg people), Tagalog people |
Specifications | |
Length | blade length: 46–66 cm (18–26 in) |
Blade type | Double edged |
Hilt type | Wood, ivory |
Scabbard/sheath | Wood |
The wavy portion of the kalis is said to be meant to facilitate easier slashing in battle, since a straight edge tends to get stuck in the opponent's bones, the wavy portion allows the kalis bearer to more easily pull the weapon out of his opponent's body.[1]
The kalis is also known as sundang among the Maranao and Maguindanao people (not to be confused with the Visayan sundang).[2] It is also known as sundang, sondang or keris Sulu in Kalimantan and Sulawesi in Indonesia, where it was reintroduced from contact with Mindanao.[3]