# Sewar

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Dagger

Sewar A Sewar, pre-1887. Type Dagger Place of origin Indonesia (Aceh) Service history Used by Acehnese, Gayo, Alas, Minangkabau Specifications Length 12–29 cm (4.7–11.4 in) Blade type Single edge, sometimes double edged Hilt type Wood, horn, ivory, Bahar roots Scabbard/sheath Wood, horn, ivory

**Sewar** (**Sejwa**, **Sivas**, **Siwah**, **Siwai**, **Siwar**, or **Siwaz**) refers to a [dagger](/source/Dagger) of Indonesian origin, typically carried in a belt and used mainly in [Sumatra](/source/Sumatra), [Indonesia](/source/Indonesia). The blade is also referred to as **Sewah** by the [Gayo people](/source/Gayo_people), **Seiva** by the [Minangkabau people](/source/Minangkabau_people), **Siva** by the [Alas people](/source/Alas_people), and **Siwaih** by the [Acehnese people](/source/Acehnese_people).

## Description

The sewar is a short-bladed [dagger](/source/Dagger) used in traditional [Indonesian](/source/Indonesia) close-quarter fighting styles.[1] The weapon has a slightly curved single or double-edged blade. From the handle's base, the blade either narrows or widens at the tip, depending on the style. The double-edged sewar has a back edge that runs from the tip of the blade to the base of the hilt. Typically, the blade is either flat ground, without a mid-line ridge, or [hollow ground](/source/Hollow_grind). Sometimes it has a slightly hollow grind and a reinforced (integral) back, or comes with several slightly hollow sections.

Unlike other [traditional combat weapons](/source/List_of_premodern_combat_weapons), the sewar's handle lacks a finger guard. Usually a [ferrule](/source/Ferrule) made of brass is mounted at the base of the handle to better secure the handle and the blade. For ceremonial versions, a ferrule clamp is extremely ornate (*Tampo*). Its design can be rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, or triangular (*Glupa*). Traditionally the handle is made of wood and often decorated with carvings or metal ornaments. Various versions of the handle are crafted differently, in styles such as the *Hulu Boh Glimo* or the *Akar Bahar*.

The sheaths are usually made of wood, with oval-shaped cross-sections, and are decorated with carvings. Expensive versions are often decorated with precious metals or embedded with gems. The sheath consists of two pieces of wood held together with rattan or silver and gold bindings. On one side of the sheath's "throat", where the protrusion of the daggers are visible, more expensive examples are covered with [plique-à-jour](/source/Plique-%C3%A0-jour) mountings worked in precious metal and filled with enamel. The Sewar is regarded as outstanding for slashing.[2]

The sewar is similar to the [rencong](/source/Rencong) and the [Tumbok Lada](/source/Tumbok_Lada), but its blade is longer, heavier and rests in a distinctly different sheath.[3] The sewar has functional, ornamental and cultural similarities to the [kris](/source/Kris), found on the Indonesian island of [Java](/source/Java), with variants indigenous to Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Thailand and the southern Philippines.

## Culture

### Tari Sewah

The *Tari Sewah* (meaning "Sewah Dance") is a traditional [Minangkabau](/source/Minangkabau_people) dance performed by two or three dancers wielding the Sewar. If there are two dancers, only one carries the Sewar. With three dancers, two carry the dagger to portray offensive dance movements towards the unarmed dancer. The Sewar is never used by dancers who hold personal grudges against the unarmed dancer. This traditional dance is one of the *Tarian Pancak*, a category of traditional dance influenced by some styles of traditional [Indonesian](/source/Indonesia) martial arts, [Pencak Silat](/source/Pencak_Silat).[4]

## See also

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

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

- [Pisuwe](/source/Pisuwe)

- [Rencong](/source/Rencong)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Centre for Strategic and International Studies (1977). *The Indonesian Quarterly, Volume 5, Issues 1-3*. Yayasan Proklamasi, Centre for Strategic and International Studies.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Draeger1992_2-0)** Draeger, Donn F. (1992). [*Weapons & Fighting Arts of Indonesia*](https://books.google.com/books?id=g3FLFtThkU0C). Tuttle Publishing. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-8048-1716-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-8048-1716-5).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Zonneveld2001_3-0)** Zonneveld, Albert G. van (2001). [*Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago*](https://books.google.com/books?id=DMneAAAAMAAJ). C. Zwartenkot Art Books. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-90-5450-004-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-90-5450-004-9).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-MaryonoKeary2002_4-0)** Maryono, O'ong; Keary, Lisa; Sciortino, Rosalia (2002). [*Pencak Silat in the Indonesian Archipelago*](https://books.google.com/books?id=G9DfAAAAMAAJ). Yayasan Galang. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-979-9341-60-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-979-9341-60-0).

## Further reading

- Stone, George Cameron (13 March 2013). [*A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration and Use of Arms and Armor: in All Countries and in All Times*](https://books.google.com/books?id=chVfUm2Hz3MC&pg=PA34). Courier Corporation. p. 34. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-486-13129-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-486-13129-0).

- Adolf Bastian (1996), *Indonesia: or, The Islands of the Malay Archipelago, Volume 5*, Graham Brash, p. 34, [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-981-218-059-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-981-218-059-9)

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