Authentic Antique Dayak Head Hunting Warrior’s Mandau Sword; Borneo Indonesia,

Description

Authentic Antique Dayak Head Hunting Warrior’s Mandau Sword; Borneo Indonesia, This extraordinary piece has a deep dark brown patina and a hand carved, antler handle that’s sheathed in a hand carved pointed wood scabbard termination. Rattan woven waste strap and a second sheath is attached to the back of the wooden larger wooden sheath.
The Dayak are feared for their ancient tradition of headhunting practices. The head hunting ritual is known among the Dayak as “Ngayau!” Among the Iban Dayak, the origin of headhunting is believed to have originated when a meeting with a mourning Dayak Spirit suggested: A Sacred Dayak Jar is to be opened only by a Dayak Head Hunter Warrior who took a human head or by a Dayak Head Hunter Warrior who returned from a sojourn into enemy territory.
The Bengkayang Dayak inhabit West Kalimantan Province of Indonesia, on Borneo Island.
Length of the parang 21.5 inches
Length with scabbard 26 inches