Kris: the sacred dagger

The kris, or keris, is an asymmetrical dagger, often with a wavy blade, found across Indonesia and beyond. In Bali it is far more than a weapon. A fine kris is a sacred heirloom, or pusaka, passed down through generations and believed to hold spiritual power. Men wear it at important ceremonies as part of traditional dress, tucked into the sash at the back.

Kris-making in Bali has been preserved by smith families of the Pande clan, whose craft traditions trace back to the Majapahit era. Balinese hilts are often carved as demonic or protective figures and may be covered in gold and set with stones. The kris is linked with the naga, the sacred serpent. The Indonesian kris was recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2005.

Every 210 days, on Tumpek Landep, kris and other metal objects are blessed with holy water and offerings, a day honoring sharp intellect as much as sharp blades; today cars and motorbikes are blessed too. The kris also plays a dramatic role in the Barong and kris dance, in which entranced dancers turn their blades on their own chests under Rangda's spell but are protected by Barong.