About Hj Abd Rahman Long
Haji abdul rahman Long was born in 1941 in the village Beris, Cawat, Kuala Besut Terengganu.At age of 15, he became active in the field of sculpture art as a continuation of efforts for the elderly, Che Long Yusof.
In 1970, he founded establish a private sculpture traditional wood carving with the name PAKATAN JURU UKIR TRADISIONAL located at miles 1 3 / 4, Jalan Pengkalan Chepa, Kota Bharu, Kelantan.However, he was returned to the village and has lived here in 1981.He also establish in another branch has opened in the name ofJURUKIR TRADISIONAL SDN BHD on January 1, 1981.
As the arts, he was very thorough and dedicated work in the business. The total time spent producing paper products and wood carvings.
He was greatly respected and revered by his men and the local community, even more so by the client and wood carving enthusiast. In his employees he was a ‘perfectionist’ in the course of my work.
For him there is no shortcut to produce a work. Perseverance, discipline and care is the most important recipes. No compromise in quality..Time spent day and night to write.
His nature is not easily satisfied with his work and always looking for ways to improve the quality of work produced. For him the value and quality of art is more important than money.
He always upheld the principle – “Let us work to tell everything about us than we talk to show our greatness.”
All customers are aware of the situation and it was rarely questioned his work and try our best to meet his needs in terms of time and the other for his work enjoyable.
As A Keris Maker
Abd. Rahman Long is a keris maker who lives in Besut, Terengganu. Not only he is a skilled craftsman but he is also a storehouse of information on the keris, with its rich history and tales of heroism and mysticism. He also has a unique collection of ancient keris which over the years were bought from their owners who were willing to part with them.
Hj Abd Rahman Long Master Krisman Made
The keris’ origins can be traced to the early years of Majapahit Empire in the 13th. century Java. When the empire collapsed two centuries later, many of its craftsmen migrated to other parts of the Indonesian Archipelago and later to the Malay Peninsular. During the next 500 years, the lethal keris was regarded as the national weapon of the Malays. It later came to determine the wealth, prestige and integrity of its owner. The arrival of the British in the late 19th. century signaled the sunset days of the dagger. The new rulers imposed laws forbidding the Malays to tuck their keris into their waistbands and sarungs. In fact, the last war in which both parties battled using the keris was fought some 90 years ago. With modern western armaments and war techniques being used nowadays, the keris is accorded a ceremonial role.
Hj Abd Rahman Long Master Krisman Made
Although the keris no longer wields as much power, modern malays still revere their keris, especially if it is a family heirloom. Carefully examining a few from his varied array, Rahman said many people believe some keris had supernatural powers (keris sakti), protecting the owner from physical harm and other ill fortune.
Hj Abd Rahman Long Master Krisman Made
He related a story of a dagger which caused a burglar to completely lose his sense of bearing after housebreaking. Trapped within the house till the next morning, the intruder was later apprehended by the family. Evil spirits too sometimes reside in the keris sakti, as was in the case of the notorious ‘Keris Kai Condong’ which would leave its sheath at midnight, hacking away as many victims as it journey through the night. It was finally overpowered by three sacred keris whose combined power lured the spirit of keris Kai Condong to an enchanted mortar where it was crushed to grit. However, a week later, a strange breeze swept up the grit into the cosmos where it congealed and mixed with a fiery comet.
Hj Abd Rahman Long Master Krisman Made
He added, it is however, difficult to distinguish a keris sakti from an ordinary one unless you know the history of the weapon. A keris sakti has to be honoured and well taken care of. Neglect and ill treatment can cause the guardian spirit to abandon its ‘home’, thus divesting the keris of its potency. Usually the owner conducts special rituals to appease the spirit, and there is no universal formula for these rites.
Hj Abd Rahman Long Master Krisman Made
Apart from its talismanic properties, the keris itself is a dangerous weapon. It is recognizably different from other daggers. A thrusting weapon intended for use in a confined space, its 12″ to 15″ blade is often sinuous giving it an exceptionally lethal appearance. But sinuous or straight, it can be distinguished from all other daggers by the unusual widening of the blade just below the tilt and by the collar guard which is fitted along this widened base and further increases the width. A slim rounded shank pin extends for about an inch above the centre of the base and dovetails into the bottom of the hilt.
Rahman Long Kris Collection
Rahman gets most of the blades from Kelantan and Terengganu, two states renowned for their keris makers. His work begins with the basic blade in hand. He carves out intricate designs on the blade, working towards a permanently exquisite texture. After carving, the blade is cleaned with paste of fermented rice water, salt and other secret ingredients. Next, it is oiled and after that dipped in water to wash away all impurities. The now gleaming blade is rinsed in limewater and gently “sandpapered” with bambo dust. For a deadly weapon, the blade may be anointed with poison. Once the poison seeps into keris, it is rinsed, “sandpapered”, oiled and warmed over fire. Finally, you get a finely-textured shiny keris.
Hj Abd Rahman Long Master Krisman Made
The potency of a keris, especially a keris sakti, is dependent on three factors – the quality of the alloy used, its texture and its length. The first factor may be predetermined while the other two resolve the owner’s fate. A blade which slowly perforates with time is considered mightier. The keris length is measured using the thumb. As you alternate thumb after thumb, from base to tip, the last thumb will decide whether your keris is your good luck charm. Each thumb has its own meaning so if you finish measuring the length of your keris on your tenth thumb count and someone else (using the same keris) completes it on his twelfth thumb count, it may mean one of you may enjoy the protection of the keris, while the other may be doomed forever. Of course today no one pays any attention to all this story.
Hj Abd Rahman Long Master Krisman Made
The manufacture of the hilt and sheath require the skill of a different group of craftsmen – wood carvers. Rahman is one of the few keris makers who is both an ironsmith and wood carver. The hilts are nearly always made of wood which is carved to various shapes. An average hilt measure 4-5 inches long and is bent at the middle of its length to provide it a pistol grip. The most popular hilt design is Hulu Pekakak (King Fisher Head). This keris is usually tucked into the back and when attacked, the owner pushes the sheath up with his heel and the keris is drawn out. If the opponent is too close, the sheath is used to collar the enemy and the sharp beak of the hilt is used to blind the aggressor.
Hj Abd Rahman Long Master Krisman Made
Like the hilt, the sheath is usually made of wood but it is never carved. Manufactured in three parts, it comprises the broad crosspiece which rests at the head of the sheath which is usually rectangular, the body is straight and of uniform width and the straight tip which is often reinforced with a tiny strip of ivory of horn.
Hj Abd Rahman Long Master Krisman Made
The most beautiful hilts and sheaths are often found in the regalia of royalty. They are made of gold and silver and engraved with traditional patterns. Nobles were not allowed this privilege but they sometimes added horizontal bands of gold or silver around the wooden shafts of their keris.
Hj Abd Rahman Long Master Krisman Made
Today, the keris is a popular souvenir in tourist shops. Its blade may not be as sharp, its hilt not as ornate and the sheath is quite plain. Nevertheless, it is the reminder of the glories of the olden days when Malay warriors battled with these unique daggers.
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Haji Abdul Rahman Long is no stranger to wood-carving enthusiasts. He has been active in quantity production making decorative pieces for palaces, mosques, government offices, banks, private agencies and hotels all around Malaysia and neighboring nations such as Singapore and Brunei Darussalam. He operates from Batu 1 3/4, Jalan Pengkalan Chepa, Kota Bharu under the name of ‘Pakatan Juru Ukir Tradisional’. With the cooperation of the Kelantan State Government and the museum he started active operations in 1973. Recently he opened a branch workshop at Kampung Sentosa, Pengkalan Nyireh in Besut, Terengganu, in order to service the ever-increasing demands.
Haji Abdul Rahman Long is no stranger to wood-carving enthusiasts. He has been active in quantity production making decorative pieces for palaces, mosques, government offices, banks, private agencies and hotels all around Malaysia and neighboring nations such as Singapore and Brunei Darussalam. He operates from Batu 1 3/4, Jalan Pengkalan Chepa, Kota Bharu under the name of ‘Pakatan Juru Ukir Tradisional’. With the cooperation of the Kelantan State Government and the museum he started active operations in 1973. Recently he opened a branch workshop at Kampung Sentosa, Pengkalan Nyireh in Besut, Terengganu, in order to service the ever-increasing demands.
It is safe to say that he is the first person to commercialize the wood carving industry in Malaysia (during the 70′s) when the arts of wood-carving was fading away. Since then he has groomed a new generation of wood-carvers, hence saving this art form from extinction. Today, most of the wood- carving companies and individuals, particularly those operating in Kelantan and Terengganu (both states are known for wood-carving activities) were trained and groomed by him.
He has made it possible for local society to adorn their homes and public places with beautiful, traditional wood-carvings. He also acknowledges that there is an ever increasing interest and appreciation of wood-carvings especially with improving economic conditions. Fine intricate wood-carvings are no longer confined to palaces or the upper echelons of society, but can be found on doors, windows and walls of houses of any individual who values their beauty.
He works closely with Malaysian Handicrafts (Perbadanan Kemajuan Kraftangan Malaysia) and MTIB (Malaysian Timber Industry Board) as well as Malaysian Forest Department (Jabatan Perhutanan Malaysia). This is to ensure a sustainable future of this ancient art.
Part of his effort is to educate and share knowledge on the art of wood carving, he always welcomes students and scholars who want to study the subject.
P.J.K
The ability and his services recognized by all who knew him, including the chiefs of the country. This is evidenced by the award of medals that have been received by the P.J.K some time ago.
