Proficiency in terms of iron-forge has already been establishing and outstanding since the glory days of Seriwijaya's Malay Kingdom and pervading in the lands under its patronage such as Palembang, throughout the states in Malay land, and Southern Thailand. The Malay kingdoms at the time were placing those who had the hand skills such as blacksmiths or metal specialists under the auspices of the Malay rulers' palaces.
According to oral stories, the Malay Kingdom of Pattani in the 15th century AD requested the good deed from Java’s government, it to get services from Java's blacksmiths to help them for making arms, preparation the face of war against Siam. The blacksmith's family consisting of four brothers namely Saras, Yahya, Jenal and Milah then emigrated to Pattani. At the same time, the Kelantan royals' government also requested the good offices from Java's government, to get the skillful blacksmiths in their efforts to produce arms for defense and war purpose.
The Terengganu government while under the reign of Sultan Omar from 1837 to 1876 also sought the service from a Minangkabau's blacksmith. During the golden ages of Malay Sultanate, usually a house or iron workshop was located close to the palace, or in villages not far from the palace. For example, Pandai Mamat had been living at Kampung Laut in Kelantan around years from 1700 to 1800. While Kampung Gelugor Raja in Kuala Terengganu and Kampung Changkat in Kuala Kangsar in Perak became villages of blacksmiths which serves for the governments in Kelantan and in Perak at the time.
If someone is looking for a book about Kris, I recommended the books entitled "Senjata Warisan" and "Seni Kraf Besi". "Senjata Warisan" was written by Mohd Zainudin Haji Abdullah and Mohd Shahrim Senik. While the book titled "Seni Kraf Besi" was written by Haji Ismail Mat Amin. The books are written in Malay language. These are among the good books about Malays' old arms I've ever met. Below is about a painting.
genre: heritage
title: keris melayu ke2
medium: oil painting on canvas
size: 91cm x 45cm
year: 2011
price: myr 2,500.00
