# Palitai

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Knife

Palitai A Palitai, pre-1893. Type Knife Place of origin Indonesia (Mentawai Islands) Service history Used by Mentawai people, Siberut people Specifications Length approximately 30–100 cm (12–39 in) Blade type Double edged Hilt type Wood Scabbard/sheath Wood

**Palitai** (or **Palite**, **Parittei**, **Pattei**) is the traditional knife of the [Mentawai people](/source/Mentawai_people), originating from the [Mentawai Islands](/source/Mentawai_Islands)[1] off [West Sumatra](/source/West_Sumatra), [Indonesia](/source/Indonesia).

## Description

A [Mentawai](/source/Mentawai_people) man seen with a traditional knife, Palitai at the waist.

The Palitai has a straight and double edged blade. The handle is uniquely long, slim and curiously curved in shape.[2] It is a knife with a smooth blade on both edges of which are sharpened and run parallel. The edges come together at the tip to the end in a sharp point. The blade has in the middle along the entire length an elevated rib. The steel used to produce blades was imported from [Sumatra](/source/Sumatra), as forging was unknown on [Mentawai islands](/source/Mentawai_islands). The blades were finished in the desired form on the spot. The total length may vary from .3 to 1 m (1 ft 0 in – 3 ft 3 in). The hilt of the Palitai is thin and long, at the blade still rather broad but becoming thinner to run long and elegantly into an almost sharp tip or decorated end. The hilt has a round thicker part just past half way. The Palitai is carried on the right, in the loin-cloth and may be part of the dowry.[3]

## See also

- [Indonesia portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Indonesia)

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Palitai](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Palitai).

- [Kujang](/source/Kujang_(weapon))

- [Keris](/source/Keris)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Taiwan Sheng Li Bo Wu Guan (2009). *Taiwan Sheng Li Bo Wu Guan Ban Nian Kan, Volume 60*. The Museum.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** George Cameron Stone (1999). *[A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration and Use of Arms and Armor: in All Countries and in All Times](/source/A_Glossary_of_the_Construction%2C_Decoration_and_Use_of_Arms_and_Armor%3A_in_All_Countries_and_in_All_Times)*. Courier Dover Publication. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-486-13129-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-486-13129-7).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Albert G Van Zonneveld (2002). *Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago*. Koninklyk Instituut Voor Taal Land. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [90-5450-004-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/90-5450-004-2).

## Further reading

- George Cameron Stone; Donald J. LaRocca (January 1999), *A Glossary Of The Construction, Decoration And Use Of Arms And Armor: In All Countries And In All Times*, Courier Dover Publications (published 1999), p. 367, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-486-40726-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-486-40726-5)

- Waldemar Stöhr; Willy Foy; Klaus Clausmeyer (1968), *Ethnologica. Neue Folge: Band 1-4*, Aurel Bongers, p. 84, [ASIN](/source/ASIN_(identifier)) [B0039508FU](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0039508FU)

v t e Indonesian traditional weapons, armors, and premodern gunpowder-based weapons Traditional weapon Swords (Pedang) & cutlasses (Klewang) Alamang Amanremu Balato Bara Sangihe Belida Co Jang Dua Lalan Gari Hemola Jenawi Krai Silai Ladieng Langgai tinggang Luwuk Mandau Moso Niabor Pakayun Pandat Parang nabur Penai Piso Halasan Piso Sanalenggam Rudus Rugi Sikin Panyang Sundang Surik Daggers (Belati) & knives (Pisau) Badik Dohong Kris Keris bahari Patrem Kujang Pasatimpo Palitai Peurawot Pisau raut Pisuwe Rencong Sewar Si Euli Tappi Tumbok Lada Wamilo Choppers (Parang) & machetes (Golok) Bendo Blakas Buko Guma Golok Ciomas Golok Rembau Jimpul Kabeala Kandawulo Kudi Parang Chandong Parang Latok Parang Taawu Peda Tangkin Wedung Impact weapons Cabang Gada Indan Pole or spear weapons Arbir Bambu runcing Bessing Kawali Lembing Pantu Trisula Flexible weapons Cambuk Miscellaneous weapons Celurit Kerambit Salukat Sumpit Tolor Gunpowder weapon Firearm Bedil Bedil tombak Istinggar Java arquebus Pemuras Terakul Cannon Cetbang Ekor lotong Lantaka Lela Miniature meriam kecil By name Anak Makassar Bujang Timpang Berang Ki Amuk Si Jagur Armor and outfit Shield Baluse Cakalele Kanta Klebit Bok Kliau Kurabit Peurise Awe Peurise Teumaga Salawaku Body armor Baju Empurau Baju Lamina Baju Rantai Baru Lema'a Baru Öröba Karambalangan Kawaca Siping-siping Helmet Katapu Paseki Takula tofao Category Traditional weapons Weapons of pencak silat

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Palitai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palitai) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palitai?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.