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  • tplye2
    • Sep 14, 2023

Blacksmithing among the Penan

by Lye Tuck-Po

14 September 2023


Blacksmithing is a source of cash for the Penan. From these craftsmen come a variety of "parangs" (machetes). Some better than others. Not every man can make a high quality parang. It takes a specialist. The work is often communal and social.
The forge at Long Jek, Sarawak, 2009
The forge at Long Jek, Sarawak, 2009
Every man is focused on his work, facing a different direction. While their ears are primed to hear what's going on around them, their eyes are directed towards their own aims and objectives. Not much talk.
Two men carving the sheafs surrounded by the detritus of their work, Long Luwik, Baram, Sarawak, 2013
Carving the sheafs, Long Luwik, Baram, Sarawak, 2013
Carving the sheaf, Long Luwik, Baram, Sarawak, 2013
Carving the sheaf, Long Luwik, Baram, Sarawak, 2013

A man continues carving the sheath while his relatives talk to me, Long Jekitan, Baram, Sarawak, 2013
A man continues carving the sheath while his relatives talk to me, Long Jekitan, Baram, Sarawak, 2013
Old man weaving the rattan binder that holds the sheaf together, Long Jekitan, Baram, Sarawak, 2013
Weaving the rattan binder that holds the sheaf together, Long Jekitan, Baram, Sarawak, 2013
Hammering the blade into shape, Long Luwik, Baram, Sarawak, 2013
Hammering the blade into shape, Long Luwik, Baram, Sarawak, 2013
Hammering the blade into shape, Long Luwik, Baram, Sarawak, 2013
Hammering the blade into shape, Long Luwik, Baram, Sarawak, 2013
The wife adjusts the bellows to increase the heat of the fire while the husband works on the blades of the machetes, Long Jekitan, Baram, Sarawak, 2013
The wife adjusts the bellows to increase the heat of the fire while the husband works on the blades of the machetes, Long Jekitan, Baram, Sarawak, 2013

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pbiongriffin
Sep 15, 2023

Great photos as usual. In my old fashioned view, this is superb ethnography, aka visual anthropology. I am inspired to follow suite with Agta arrow making, baskets, the various style of houses, and so on. I will visit Marcus next month and have him help on a blog/web site, the discuss with you in December. Keep them coming.

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tplye2
Sep 15, 2023
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Thanks!

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