Baluse Explained

Baluse
Origin:	Nias, Indonesia
Type:	Shield
Is Bladed:	No
Used By:	Nias people
Width:	27cm (11inches)
Height:	120cm (50inches)

Baluse or Baloese is a traditional shield of the Nias people originating from Nias, an island off the west coast of North Sumatra, Indonesia. Baluse in the Northern Nias is somewhat smaller than those of the rest of the island.^[1]

Description

The shield is made of wood shaped like banana leaves and is held on the left hand which serves to deflect enemy attacks. The surface of the shield is carved with rib-cage patterns from top to bottom. There is a round knob at the centre of the shield, and the shield's handle is directly behind this knob.^[2]

Culture

The Baluse is used with the Balato (sword) or the Burusa (spear)^[3] during traditional war dances such as Faluaya (or Fataele)^[4] and Maena Baluse.^[5]

See also

• Klebit Bok
• Kanta (shield)

Further reading

• Joachim Freiherr von Brenner-Felsach, Eine Reise nach Nias: unveröffentlichte Manuskripte aus dem Museum für Völkerkunde in Wien : Materialien zu Exotismus und Ethnographie, Böhlau Verlag Wien, 1998,

Notes and References

1. Book: Peter Suzuki. The Religious System and Culture of Nias, Indonesia. 1959. Uitgeverij Excelsior. B0045VE6BY.
2. Book: Albert G Van Zonneveld. Traditional Weapons of the Indonesian Archipelago. 2002. Koninklyk Instituut Voor Taal Land. 90-5450-004-2.
3. Book: Arts of Asia. Arts of Asia Volume 20 Number 2, March - April 1990. 1990. Arts of Asia. B002AR5BNM.
4. Web site: Tari Fataele: Tari Perang Khas Nias Selatan . Indonesia Tourism . 7 April 2014.
5. Book: Lucas Partanda Koestoro, Ketut Wiradnyana. Megalithic Traditions In Nias Island. 2007. Medan Archeological Office. 978-979-98772-1-5.