Buleleng Northern Lights

Story Behind the Only Kris Maker From Buleleng

Virtuosity is required to make household farming tools and works of art made of iron, silver, steel or gold like knifes, hoes, rings, necklaces, bracelets and so forth in Bali, time and again, carried out by certain clans. Differently, I Gusti Putu Arba (45) from Bakung Village, Buleleng, even though he does not belong to pande (blacksmith) clan, is capable of making kris and various tools made of iron, metal, silver and gold. Pande clans in Bali are renowned to be skilled at making farming and household tools of iron (knife, hoe, kris and the like) or works of art made of silver and gold rings, necklace (et cetera).

Arba, prior to being deeply involving in this profession, used to produce numerous jewellery made of gold and silver. He learnt to make these accessories at Celuk Village, Sukawati that celebrates a village of gold and silversmiths, and is frequently appointed by the Office of Industry and Trade Service of Buleleng Regency as an instructor and gives workshops to villages throughout Buleleng region.
Since the Bali bomb, enterprise of gold and silver works deeply involved by Arba was sluggish and he finally went bankrupt. He was confused as to what to do to support his children and wife. However, when he saw the revival of pecalang (security task force of customary village) everywhere, he thought of making kris. Yes, kris is a Balinese traditional weapon that functions as complementary article of pecalang.
With the provision of minimal capacity in making kris, he encourages himself to make kris. “As a matter of fact, intention to make kris has emerged since 1995. So, it actually happened before my enterprise went bankrupt,” he said to Bali Travel News. Afterwards, he observed attentively varying physical shapes of heirloom kris that retained at his home. This made him busy finding and reading referential books on the prerequisites of making kris; even he once travelled to Banyumurup Village, Solo (Central Java) to learn more about such kris.
Having accomplished to master some techniques of making kris, Arba went home and started a kris smith business. But, he made a survey in advance to Denpasar, Gianyar and Klungkung to make sure the location of kris making, and at the same time, found out the market place for the kris that he would make. Briefly, Arba has now become the one and only kris smith in Buleleng regency.
First kris he made was ordered by a paranormal and was embellished with rajah and pasupati (inscribed with certain magic character then performed ritual to invoke divine energy) by its owner. Arba is confident that a kris is just like a shirt. It means that it’s only appropriate to be used by certain bearers only. For instance, a judge is fit to retain a kris of certain size and ingredients. Likewise, the kris required by one that has profession as an entrepreneur will be different. “Length of kris also has an effect on the one that will use it,” he added. Kris of pecalang is regularly ordered by Chief of Customary Village at IDR 125,000 each. “At least, they order 10 pieces,” he said. Arba also produces kris for souvenirs to be sold at several art shops in Kuta and Denpasar. Kris for souvenirs more accentuates on the uniqueness of its shape and ingredients. Its price varies depending on its shape and ingredients. There is a kris for souvenirs of which the blade pattern is gold-plated and costs IDR 20 million to IDR 65 millions. Kris of which blade pattern is made of silver costs IDR 2.5 million to IDR 75 million. Since he is deeply involved in the making of kris, Arba has obtained a better income. Now, he can finance the study of his four children up to high-level educational institution in Singaraja. Meanwhile, in managing his business he engages 5 workers. (BTN/Kt. Supir)