The people from Borneo use a variety of edged weapons. The most iconic are the ‘Parang Ilang’, also known as ‘Mandau’, the ‘Jimpul’ or ‘Parang Djimpu’ and the ‘Langgai Tinggang’.

The ‘Jimpul’ is an intermediary form between the ‘Parang Ilang’ and the ‘Langgai Tinggang’ dating from around 1870. The blade of this machete has flat sides and is distinctly curved. Widening towards the point, ending in a rounded tip. Usually we encounter the presence of a ‘Piso Raut’, A small side knife for utilitarian use.

The blade:
As mentioned above, flat on both sides in contrary to the Mandau blades, which are concave on one side. The blade has a curled motif on the beginning of the blade, known as ‘Krowit’ (Caterpillar). The curved blade ends in a slightly rounded tip which is nicely decorated. The forte is decorated with floral slightly worn motifs and has a fuller running towards the the tip. The tip has two small protrusions which also symbolizes the ‘krowit‘ caterpillar. The blade was fitted into the hilt with the use of ‘damar‘, a type of strong resin which helped the blades stay in place.
The hilt:
Carved from antler horn depicting a combination of leaches and scrolls. These leaches are called ‘Lemetak ‘ and represent the squishing of blood of which the infamous headhunting is seen synonymous. The hilt is decorated with a tuft of human or goat hair and has a rattan binding to hold grip. In Iban tradition,  the human hair-tufts on the hilt proclaim succes in combat. The frontside of the hilt features two carved skull symbols.
Scabbard:
Made of two sheets of wood, finely carved and bound with complex brass braids. Frontside of the scabbard is decorated with fine carved motifs and held with rattan. The scabbard has its original lanyard to wear the sword around the waist.

Condition: Very good, blade in excellent condition, the decoration is a little faded, but intact. The scabbard has a small damage and shows traces of ware and age. The hilt has a crack, likely due to humidity change in environment in the last decades.

Dimensions:
Hilt: 13.6cm
Blade spine thickness: 11 mm
Blade length: 53.5cm
Scabbard length: 58cm
Total length: 72cm

Weight: 948 grams