Meet the Keris Makers for the Agong and the Sultan of Perak

The keris is not merely a weapon for defending oneself against wicked enemies, but it is a symbol of Malay society and culture that has existed since ancient times.

The keris is one of the nation's proudest legacies, which must be preserved so it is not lost or swept away by the currents of modernization. In the old days, it felt incomplete for a Malay person to leave the house without a keris tucked into their waist. The keris was an essential tool carried everywhere for various purposes. Among these, of course, was for protection against enemies and wild animals, for cutting things in the jungle, and much more. The keris, which also symbolizes the spirit and courage in the struggles of the Malay people, is increasingly fading from the hearts of our current generation. We are very fortunate today that we can still see keris created by the hands of great and influential individuals, such as the Sultan, the Agong, and others. Have you ever imagined what the state of the keris will be like 100 years from now?

There is a resilient and skilled individual who is an expert in making the keris using traditional methods. He is the great-grandson of the pioneer of this family's keris-making craft and represents the fourth generation of makers located behind Istana Iskandariah in Bukit Chandan. His name is Abdul Mazin Bin Abdul Jamil, and he is 67 years old as of 2017.

Since long ago, the generation of blacksmiths known as 'tukang mamat' has been entrusted with crafting keris for palace officials and the royal family of the Sultan of Perak. Abdul Mazin Bin Abdul Jamil, a native of Kampung Changkat Bukit Chandan, began learning to make the keris from a young age. The first keris he successfully produced was when he was 12 years old. Abdul Mazin Bin Abdul Jamil began learning the traditional art of keris making from his father, Abdul Jamil Bin Pandak Lam, around 1960. According to Abdul Mazin Bin Abdul Jamil, there are three types that are frequently ordered: the Anak Alang keris, the Lok keris, and the Hukum keris. The first keris ever produced by Abdul Mazin Bin Abdul Jamil was the small-sized Anak Alang keris.

Abdul Jamil Bin Pandak Lam, 3rd Generation

The lowest price for a custom-ordered keris starts from RM850 and above, depending on the pattern, type, and design requested by the customer. Some keris reach thousands of ringgit because the design and artistry are quite difficult to execute, and the use of expensive materials combined with traditional craftsmanship guarantees the best quality, which will certainly satisfy the hearts of Malay keris enthusiasts.

It all began with Abdul Mazin's great-grandfather, Pandak Yunus. Pandak Yunus passed down the knowledge and legacy of traditional keris making to his son (Abdul Mazin's grandfather), Pandak Lam. Then, Pandak Lam passed this great knowledge and legacy to his son (Abdul Mazin's father), Abdul Jamil, and subsequently, Abdul Jamil passed the knowledge and legacy of keris making to Abdul Mazin.

Today, it is the turn of Abdul Mazin's son (the seventh of 12 siblings) to be taught the traditional art of keris making, and he is set to become the fifth-generation heir of the 'tukang mamat' craft. As far as is known, they are the only complete keris makers in Malaysia, handling the process from start to finish. Therefore, these heirs realize that they must empower themselves to continue this national heritage so it does not vanish with time. This is a heavy responsibility that the family of Abdul Mazin must bear to preserve the Malay keris heritage so that its traditional craftsmanship does not simply disappear. It would be appropriate for the relevant authorities to grant him a title such as 'Datuk' or similar to appreciate his service in preserving the Malay national heritage in Malaysia.

For the information of our loyal readers at orangperak.com, most orders for keris come from abroad, such as the United States, New Zealand, England, Japan, and many others, with the majority of customers not being of Malay descent. Their reason for ordering these keris is to keep them as personal collections and as souvenirs or gifts. It is unexpected that the keris is so highly sought after by foreign countries! It is truly amazing! In our own country, Malaysia, the keris ordered from Abdul Mazin are usually for the Sultan of Perak and for the use of our Agong. There are also orders from ordinary citizens and VIPs to be kept as personal collections, but they are not as numerous, and the response is less overwhelming. Nevertheless, the keris still has its loyal fans in our country, Malaysia, who love this national heritage.

During our visit to Abdul Mazin's keris-making workshop on July 22, 2017, we were warmly welcomed by his family, and we express our deepest gratitude for their willingness to receive us to obtain information regarding the Abdul Mazin family business. We from orangperak.com congratulate Abdul Mazin and his family on all their efforts in preserving the craft of keris making for the Malay national heritage.

For the attention of loyal readers of orangperak.com, if you are interested in ordering a keris, you can visit Abdul Mazin's workshop in Kampung Padang Changkat, located in Bukit Chandan. The location is behind Istana Iskandariah. Cherish the keris, which is a Malay national heritage, before it disappears completely.