Selangor Royal Foundation out to revive ‘keris’ heritage

SHAH ALAM: Once used as a weapon by Malay warriors, the keris is not only known for its aesthetic value but has also been an integral part of the regalia of Malay rulers.

Noting that the keris-making tradition has practically gone extinct in Selangor, Raja Muda of Selangor Foundation (YRMS) has swiftly moved in to save a part of the state’s historical heritage.

According to a study as well as observations by the foundation, there were no more keris makers left in Selangor, unlike other states which still have a handful of artisans equipped with the skill to make the unique dagger.

The YRMS found that the state’s keris-making tradition nearly disappeared into oblivion as the skill had not been passed on to the current generation probably due to the assumption that it did not fulfil modern-day needs.

Not wanting the revered symbol of Malay heritage to vanish altogether, YRMS launched the Talent for the World programme two years ago to sponsor youths all over the country interested in learning the art of making the keris from none other than the master craftsmen themselves.

YRMS chief executive officer Nurul Azwa Rodzi said the programme kicked off in May 2019 with three apprentices who were placed under the guidance of five master craftsmen.

Two of the mentors were based in Kuala Terengganu in Terengganu and their services were commissioned with the cooperation of Yayasan DiRaja Sultan Mizan while the other three mentors were based in Kuantan, Pahang.

The programme was initially scheduled to end in April 2020 but had to be extended to the end of this year due to the Covid19 pandemic.

“Our programme is aimed at ensuring that our younger generation gains the knowledge of making the keris so that they are able to perpetuate this legacy in our state as well as Malaysia,” Nurul Azwa told Bernama.

She said the apprentices concerned would also be mentored to enable them to gain entrepreneurial knowledge so that they can commercialise their keris-making skills.

She also said that a graduation ceremony for the first five trainees under the Talent for the World programme has been scheduled at the end of this year in conjunction with an exhibition of the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah’s exclusive collection of royal keris, to be held in collaboration with the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur.