Baluse or Baloese is a traditional shield of the Nias people originating from
Nias
Nias ( id, Pulau Nias, Nias language: ''Tanö Niha'') (sometimes called Little Sumatra in English) is an island located off the western coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. Nias is also the name of the archipelago () of which the island is the centre, ...
, an island off the west coast of
North Sumatra
North Sumatra ( id, Sumatra Utara) is a province of Indonesia located on the northern part of the island of Sumatra. Its capital and largest city is Medan. North Sumatra is Indonesia's fourth most populous province after West Java, East Java and ...
,
Indonesia
Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It consists of over 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, and parts of Borneo and New Guine ...
. Baluse in the
Northern Nias is somewhat smaller than those of the rest of the island.
Description
The shield is made of wood shaped like banana leaves and is held on the left hand which serves to deflect enemy attacks.
The surface of the shield is carved with rib-cage patterns from top to bottom. There is a round knob at the centre of the shield, and the shield's handle is directly behind this knob.
Culture
The Baluse is used with the
Balato (sword)
Balato (sometimes also known as Baltoe, Balatu, Balatu Sebua, Ballatu, Foda, Gari Telegu, Klewang Buchok Berkait, Roso Sebua or Telagoe) is a sword that originates from Nias, an island off the west coast of North Sumatra, Indonesia.
Description ...
or the ''Burusa'' (spear) during traditional war dances such as ''Faluaya'' (or ''Fataele'')
and ''Maena Baluse''.
See also
*
Klebit Bok
The Klebit Bok or Kelavit Bok is the traditional shield of the Kayan and the Kenyah people originating from Borneo. It is similar to the shields used by other Dayak people such as the Kliau of the Iban.
Description
The Klebit Bok is a shield ...
*
Kanta (shield)
The Kanta is a traditional shield of the Toraja and Pamona people of Tana Toraja Regency, South Sulawesi and Poso Regency, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia
Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Ocea ...
References
Further reading
* Joachim Freiherr von Brenner-Felsach, ''Eine Reise nach Nias: unveröffentlichte Manuskripte aus dem Museum für Völkerkunde in Wien : Materialien zu Exotismus und Ethnographie'', Böhlau Verlag Wien, 1998,
Shields
Weapons of Indonesia
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