Traditional Weapon of Aceh : "Siwah" from elephant ivory

In Aceh, Indonesia, has a variety of traditional weapons used by previous people, one of them is "Siwah".

The following is a description of Tgk Yusdedi, a leader of adat institutions in Lhokseumawe City, Aceh Province, Indonesia. Incidentally he also has a collection of "Siwah", sarongs and handles made of elephant ivory.

_{Tgk Yusdedi}

According to Tgk Yusdedi to me, "Siwah" has two functions for the people of Aceh since the 13th century. Weapons for battle and for self-identity.

"Siwah" is slightly larger than other traditional Aceh weapons, namely "Rincong". The size of "Siwah" a collection of Tgk Yusdedi, about 40 centimeters long.
Sarong made of elephant ivory. While the handle, the basic raw material is also from elephant ivory, But in the middle there is the roots of the beautifully carved tree bahar. At the root of the bahar is placed magic by the people of the past. From his form, said Tgk Yusdedi, his "Siwah" was used by a warlord

_{handles Siwah}

Because there is also "Siwah" which is coated with gold which is usually used by the royal family. So, the better the "Siwah" form is used, the higher the person's position. Hence "Siwah" became an object to show identity for people in the past in Aceh.
Some say, "Siwah" which is really a relic of the past, is hard to find in Aceh. I myself just saw the real shape of "Siwah" when looking at the collection of traditional objects owned by Tgk Yusdedi.

_{"Siwah" when removed from a sarong}