The Myth of Maempo Cimande - Pukulan Cimande Pusaka

practical purposes. By deviating somewhat from the original form, a similar piece of work in the
shape of a deer's horn (with two branches) was created yet bearing the same name soon as the
master smiths found that the main form of the kudi should lend itself excellently to both
chopping and paring some tough materials. In some way, this succeeding tool can be used
effectively, for example, in taking out the copra form its tough rind and afterwards from its
stone hard shell (batok kelapa). Nevertheless, it is evident from the foregoing that in whatever
situation the kudi might be considered and adopted by the mass, the weapon has continued to
exist although in another function than before and to develop further into various forms
according to the traditional art of the people.
During the ages of social and cultural progress in Indonesia, the kudi has changed gradually of
its primary function, namely from a weapon of magic religious sense during the remotest past
into a practical tool of the present. Beside the name of khodiq, the tool is also called caluk in
Madura, and calok in Javanese. (2)
The main difference between the kudi pusaka (as a state weapon) and the ordinary kudi (as a
tool) lies only in the absence of pamor damascenings with the latter, as its intricate technique
of forging has disappeared since the decline of the Majapahit kingdom.
Footnotes
(1) - to compare also with the verb kampit meaning to own something, to take possession of
(2) - In a very special case the word caluk (from calui in Chinese) indicates a go-between who
unfairly used to chop the smooth and easy course of business in order to make profit.
(3) - Some experts in this field are inclined to associate the meaning of 'kujang' with that of
'kijang' by assuming that some corruption could take place within this scope, for, the main form
of the ordinary kudi yet bears witness of itself.
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