Salawaku

Salawaku in Tidore language and Pagu language, is a traditional shield originating from the Maluku Islands, Indonesia. It is also known as Ma Dadatoko, Salwake, Saluwaku or Salawako in Galela language, Salewaku-mu in Loloda language, Hawau-mu in Madole language, Emuli in Buru language or O Dadatoko in Tobelo language.

Description

The Salawaku is an hour-glass shaped, long shield. The shield, including the handle, is carved from a single piece of wood. The upper and lower part are broad, the shield is thinnest in the middle. At the front it is rounded or has a slight V-shape so that the centre part comes to the foreground. The shield is slightly curved from top to bottom. On the rear an elevated rib can be seen along the entire length, part of which is the handle in the middle. The front of the Salawaku is painted black using soot and plant juice. It is inlaid with mother-of-pearl and fragments of earthenware, and/or painted with kakean symbols (used by a secret society) and other ornaments. These materials hint at the foreign aspect of the shields. The shield forms a 'body' and the inlaid patterns refer to certain bodily parts. The upper segment refers to the head, the lower part to the feet. Arteries run lengthwise. The elevated rib on the rear side represents the spine and, just below the handle, the larynx. Inlays just above the centre represents the eyes. Their number allegedly refers to the number of enemies killed by the ancestors. The shield must be shorter than two arms length this in order to avoid the shield's end, held in chin and to avoid 'that tears fall on the shield'. Courage and sadness must be separated.