Thailand · Metalwork / Bladesmithing
การทำกริช (Kan Tham Krit)
The Kris (Thai: krit) is the sacred asymmetric dagger of the Malay world — shared across Malaysia, Indonesia (CRAFT-0137), Brunei, and the southern Philippines — and the Deep South of Thailand, where the predominantly Malay-Muslim population maintains a distinct regional Kris-making tradition. The Thai-Malay Kris differs subtly from the Javanese Keris in blade geometry, pamor (pattern-welded iron-nickel composite) style, and handle and scabbard aesthetic — reflecting the border region's blend of Malay court tradition and Thai material culture. As with the Javanese Keris (CRAFT-0137), the Thai-Malay Kris is simultaneously weapon, spiritual object, and identity marker. The blade smiths (empu krit) are respected as spiritual specialists whose work requires both metallurgical skill and ritual knowledge. The tradition is extremely rare — estimated fewer than 5 active full-technique empu krit in the Thai Deep South.
Risk level: Critically Endangered · Covered under UNESCO Keris inscription (2008) as part of the broader Malay Kris tradition
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