collection of
Kris (hung vertically) and Klewang (hung diagonally) during the
Dutch colonial period, c. 1893–95. The Kelantanese klewang is believed to be as old as the
parang, became a distinct weapon by the late 18th century. In the 19th century, Kelantanese men would wear the Kelantantese klewang behind their
sarong with the blade protruding out. During the
Aceh War the
Acehnese klewang proved very effective in close quarters combat against the sabre-wielding Dutch troops and the
Royal Netherlands East Indies Army. Mobile troops armed with
carbines and klewang succeeded in suppressing
Aceh resistance where traditional infantry with
rifle and
bayonet had failed. The Dutch klewang was developed at the end of the 19th century, because firearms and also traditional swords were not always reliable at that time, especially in the jungle. 'A klewang in the right-hand fist never refuses', it was said. From 1898 until the 1960s the
Royal Dutch East Indies Army, Royal Dutch Army, Royal Dutch Navy and Dutch police used the militarised version of the klewang. These military versions were shortened sabres completely by European design, and better suited for close quarter fighting and jungle warfare. Officially the weapon was named the Marechaussee-sabre but the name klewang was more popular and later on also used as an official model. Even from the time after Aceh was
pacified by the Dutch to the 1930s and right through
World War II, lone wolf Acehnese without generals would still attack Europeans in hopes of getting martyred themselves and attaining paradise. Weapons used in such cases were usually klewang, if not the
Rencong. The klewang was also used by the U.S. Army during World War II in the Pacific. ==Ceremonial use==