Moso (sword)

Moso
Moso
	A Moso sword from Wetar, circa 18th–19th century.
Type	Klewang sword
Place of origin	Indonesia (Sulawesi and Alor Archipelago)
Specifications
Length	approximately 65 cm (26 in)
Blade type	Single edge, convex grind
Hilt type	Wood, hair
Scabbard/sheath	Wood, rattan

The Moso is a sword found throughout the Alor Archipelago up to Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Description

The Moso has a straight, single-edged blade that is only slightly curved locally. The blade widens from the hilt to the tip. It has one or usually three narrow hollow grinds that run directly below the spine of the blade. The cutting edge becomes slightly bulbous towards the tip-end. The end of the tip is cut off at an angle, the back of the blade is shorter than the cutting edge.^[1]

The hilt is made of wood and has no guard. The pommel is triangular and decorated with a carved eye in the center that has mythological significance. The sides of the pommel are decorated with horse or goat hair is called qava umudi in Blagar language.^[2]

The scabbard is made of wood. The bottom end is carved in the shape of a hook and the opening insert area is widened and outstandingly crafted.^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b Albert G Van Zonneveld (2002). Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago. Koninklyk Instituut Voor Taal Land. p. 89. ISBN 90-5450-004-2.
^ Hein Steinhauer & Hendrik D.R. Gomang (2016). Kamus Blagar-Indonesia-Inggris: Blagar-Indonesian-English dictionary. Yayasan Pustaka Obor Indonesia. p. 11. ISBN 978-60-243-3356-0.