Gari (sword)
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{{Infobox weapon
|name= Gari
| image= COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Zwaard - foda RV-1239-308.png
| image_size = 350
|caption= A Gari sword, 1899.
|type= Sword
|is_bladed= Yes
|service=
|used_by= Nias people (Ono Niha)
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|length= {{convert|58|cm|abbr=on}} approximately
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|blade_type= Single edge, hollow grind
|hilt_type= Wood, horn
|sheath_type= Wood
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Gari is a sword that originates from Nias, an island off the west coast of North Sumatra, Indonesia.{{cite book|author=Apolonius Lase|title=Kamus Liniha Nias – Indonesia|year=2011|publisher=Penerbit Buku Kompas|isbn=978-979-709-541-3}} It is a term used for a type of sword found only in North Nias.{{cite book|author=Österreichische Leo-Gesellschaft, Görres-Gesellschaft|title=Anthropos|year=1985|publisher=Zaunrith'sche Buch-, Kunst- und Steindruckerei}}
Description
It is a sword with narrow blade, slightly curved at the end. The hilt has the shape of a lasara's head and a long curved iron protrusion ("tongue"), appearing from the centre of the opened mouth. The scabbard is, as is the blade, slightly curved at the end. It may be decorated with brass strips and wood-carvings. Magical objects may be attached to the scabbard's top.{{cite book|author=Albert G Van Zonneveld|title=Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago|year=2002|publisher=Koninklyk Instituut Voor Taal Land|isbn=90-5450-004-2}}
Culture
The Gari is used during wedding ceremonies in Northern Nias. The couple will stand with the priest beneath the ancestor figures, with all three grasping the Gari while the priest chants a prayer. The Gari is also used a part of the presentation of dowry to the bride's father.{{cite book|author=Andrew Beatty|title=Society And Exchange In Nias|year=1992|publisher=Clarendon Press|isbn=0-19-827865-9}}
See also
{{Portal|Indonesia}}
References
{{reflist}}
Further reading
- {{Cite book
| last = Volkenkundig Museum Nusantara
| author-link =
| year = 1990
| title = Nias
| publisher = Volkenkundig Museum Nusantara
| location = Delft, Netherlands
| isbn= 90-71423-05-0
}}
{{Commons category|Gari (sword)}}
{{Indonesian Weapons}}
{{Swords by region}}
Category:Southeast Asian swords
{{Indonesia-hist-stub}}
{{Sword-stub}}