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THE BRONZE
CANNON OF Both pirate and merchant vessels were equipped with all sizes of bronze cannon for fighting. Although most weighed under two hundred pounds, and many only a few pounds, the largest ones passed a thousand pounds. Typically these guns were mounted on swivels. The smaller ones could be mounted almost anywhere including in the rigging. Medium sized cannon were frequently used in reinforced sockets on the vessel's rails. The heaviest swivel guns were mounted on modified gun carriages. Typically the earliest cannon you see in this region are from foundries in the Netherlands and Portugal, next from their respective settlements, and finally from Brunei and other local craftsmen. The local population was duly impressed by the might and power of the heavily armed trading vessels from the Netherlands and Portugal. The Dutch and Portuguese quickly learned that they could trade cannon not only for spices and porcelain, but for safe passage through pirate infested waters. If a native vessel was unarmed, it was usually regarded by the local populace as improperly equipped and poorly decorated. Whether farmers, fishermen or headhunters, the villagers who lived in the longhouses along Borneo's rivers lived in fear of being taken as slaves by pirates who used both vessel mounted and hand held cannons. Villages and tribesmen that were armed with mounted or handheld cannon had a distinct advantage over those who could only rely on bow and arrows, spears, blow-pipes and Kris (swords). Land transportation in 17th and 18th century Borneo was extremely difficult and cannons were fired for virtually all types of signaling. Whether they were fired in celebration of a birth or wedding, or to warn another hilltop fortress or riverbank fishing village of impending attack, cannons were used to transmit messages telling of urgent or special events. They ranged from yellow fever and cholera epidemics, to the start or finish of religious holidays such as Ramadan. Distinguished visitors were ushered into longhouses with great ceremony accompanied by the firing of the longhouse's cannon, much like today's twenty-one gun salute. These cannon were a display of the status and wealth of the family that owned the longhouse. All worked copper, brass and bronze had value and were used as dowry and trade items in early Borneo. Cannon were frequently part of the bride-price or dowry demanded by the family of an exceptionally desirable bride. Many of the small cannon, often called personal cannon or hand cannon had been received as honors and were kept and passed down in families, but in hard times they also served as a form of currency that could keep the family fed. As a recognized form of currency, cannon could be traded for rice, drums, canoes, tools, weapons, livestock, debts of honor, and even settlement of penalties for crimes ranging from the accidental death of a fellow villager to headhunting against another tribe. Large cannon had the extra value of being used in both celebratory times and in warfare. The larger and/or more elaborate the cannon the greater the trade value and thus the greater the status of the owner. Many of the finest cannon were given out by the Sultans of Brunei as part of ceremonies such as birthdays or weddings of the many prince and princess of the extended Royal family. Cannon were frequently presented to guests along with awards and titles, and were meant to guarantee the recipients allegiance to the Sultan. Mortars, cannon and signal guns of all sizes were typically fired with colorful pyrotechnics on these occasions, the louder and more elaborate, the greater the honor.
Terminology 1. Batang, the barrel or stem. This is used in Brunei to describe the forward part of the barrel only, that is from the usual ring behind the muzzle or mouth to a usually thicker part which begins about half-way before the dolphins. There is no Brunei word exactly equivalent to the English barrel. 2. Mulut, the mouth or muzzle. There is generally a decorated edge to this or it is flared out as with Gargabus. 3. Kanchinglumba-lumba, the dolphins --- carrying handles, which have been mentioned a good deal in previous sections. It is interesting that these often resemble those on some European small cannons, especially Spanish, perhaps the idea had a common origin somewhere earlier back. It is not possible to doubt that this style was adopted in Brunei as well, though sometimes the symbolized dolphin form is replaced by other things like buffaloes on the Naga. 4. Pistaran --- sight. There was not always a sight on Brunei cannons, sometimes only a small backsight in front of the touch-hole, sometimes a foresight on top of the muzzle in many different forms, occasionally both foresight and backsight. All are called pistaran. 5. Sumba --- the touch-hole on top, at the rear end of the barrel, where the light is applied to the powder. This is often guarded by two small lugs, sometimes four. 6. Gambam --- the breach. This is the portion behind the touch-hole, which is usually enlarged and straightened to take the shock of the firing, and is often much ornamented on Brunei cannons. 7. Gaganok --- the extension behind the breach which enables the gunner to move the gun from behind. As earlier discussed, this is usually of cylindrical shape except for Mariam, where it is usually a round knob. 8. Sangk --- the long pin or handle attached by swivel to projecting lugs on both sides of the lower barrel, below the dolphins, which enables the cannon to be placed firmly into a hole or any other setting. It can then be tilted up or down on this to give trajectory in firing, as well as moving from side to side by manipulating from the gaganok end. 9. Gargasa --- the lugs mentioned with the sumbu. In European guns these are ordinarily bored or so arranged that they carry a cover which goes over the touch-hole to keep the powder dry at all times. But many of these objects on the Brunei cannons, where they are nearly always but not invariably present, seem to be relics without any function, as if they were carried on from some original pattern without actually being used to support a lid or cover over the touch-hole. Only a few real Bedil have covers. Possibly others did, but again others did not, as something else was used to protect the powder? More knowledge is needed on this subject. When we are able to have all the collection out in the new Museum, it should be possible to reach more conclusions on this point. Decorations on Brunei Cannons. The decorations on Brunei cannons are not unique to the cannon. That is to say, the patterns incised on the barrel or carved in the relief, like the figures of all sorts projecting from the cannon in different places and styles, are all and every one to be found in many other examples Brunei metalwork, such as the big water-pots, betel-nut trays, gongs, drums, lamps, chains, etc. The art of making cannon was part of all the art of Brunei. The only thing special to it was to do with making the cannon, a weapon that would fire something or other, mostly against enemy but sometimes only at the sky that was believed to be full of spirits. So, naturally, there is no special set of terms for decorations and designs on the Bedil separate from anything else. In many cases, the same terms are used for other metal work, also for gold cloth, designs on tapestry, woodwork etc.
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