The Golok (Dagger) from Ciomas

The golok is a traditional dagger from Banten Province in West Java, Indonesia. It is also fairly popular among Betawi people in Jakarta and the Sundanese people in West Java, and it can also be found in Southeast Asian countries like of Malaysia and the Philippines. Although the tradition of wearing golok is disappearing, it continues to have mystical value and politicians and leaders seek these powerful objects still produced by few masters in Banten. The photos document the ritual conducted each year in Ciomas, Banten to bath (mandi golok) and “fill” the golok with (eusi) power by passing a hammer on it.

Photographer

French anthropologist Gabriel Facal conducted fieldwork in 2015 in West Java and was helped with the photographic documentation by Yohan Gruzon. His research focuses on martial arts, initiation, rituals and techniques and since 2009 also on Muslim practices and institutions, traditional authority structures and informal political networks.

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Golok from Ciomas, Banten (2015)

The participants to the cleansing ritual
sit waiting. Ciomas, Banten (2015)

The master of ceremony takes
the sacred hammer out from its wrap.
Ciomas, Banten (2015)

Detail of the sacred hammer.
Ciomas, Banten (2015)

The forgerer of the mystical golok
(golok pusaka). Ciomas, Banten (2015)

A blade. Ciomas, Banten (2015)

The master of ceremony places
the participants’ golok in the center
of the room. Ciomas, Banten (2015)

The golok are taken out of their cover.
Ciomas, Banten (2015)

The golok are filled with “power” (eusi)
one by one by passing the hammer
over it. Ciomas, Banten (2015)

The detail of the hilt.
Ciomas, Banten (2015)

The forge. Ciomas, Banten (2015)

The coal bags for the fire to hit
the blades. Ciomas, Banten (2015)

After the ceremony the forgerers visit
the graves of their ancestors.
Ciomas, Banten (2015)

Praying at the cemetery for protection
and blessings. Ciomas, Banten (2015)

The guardian of the tradition, Oman
Solihin, coordinated the writing
of the book on Golok Ciomas,
published in 2011