Dayak Kliau warshield

The warshields of the numerous Dayak people in Kalimantan can generally be distinguished in two main types. The ‘Klebit bok’ and the ‘Kliau’ shields. The ‘Klebit bok’ is associated with the Kayan and Kenyan people who live in the North and Central regions of Kalimantan and is of hexagonal shape with a protruding medial ridge in the center. The shields are often decorated with painted Aso motifs and decorated with tufts of human hair. These decorations are ment to intimidate the opponent, but also bring an additional power within the shield.

The ‘Kliau’ is attributed to the Iban people who live in West-Kalimantan, Sarawak and Brunei. It is like the ‘Klebit bok’ of hexagonal form with a central ridge and often decorated with ‘Aso’ motifs and reinforced with bamboo strips to prevent the shield from shattering from enemy sword blows.

In all Dayak cultures, the shields can be used in a ceremonial function decorating the long houses whilst others are plain and made for warfare including ruthless headhunting ‘mamat’ campaigns. Among the Dayak, a few other type of shields, entirely made of rattan can be seen too.

Our example:

A fine and genuine ‘Kliau’ shield of the Iban Dayak. Made out of a single piece of light wood (Parishia) with carved handle. The top and bottom are reinforced with bamboo strips bound in rattan. The sides are decorated with charcoal. The shield shows traces of actual use and was most likely cracked in contact. The old iron repairs show the spiritual function of these shields which were often repaired after battle and hung in the longhouses where the community lived.

Michael Heppel, author of Iban Art ‘Sexual selection and severed heads’ wrote the following regarding to the ‘kliau’shields:

”The night before they are made, the longhouse meets to discuss who want to make a shield. Offerings are then made to the gods. The following day, the whole house proceeds to a place where ‘Parishia’ grows. More offerings are made, this time preceded by the most senior person wanting to make a shield uttering the blood-curdling Iban war cry seven times. He calls on ‘Keling’ and all his lieutenants to invest their weapons with the intent for which they are made. The party then cuts down the tree and begins to fashion the shields.”

Three armed Dayak warriors holding a ‘Kliau’ shield, Kalimantan ca. 1900. Photo from an old postcard.