Language: South Nias
Source: Engelbertus Schröder, 1917

Description

Balatu salà is the South Nias term for a specific type of sword blade. Schröder described it as having an edge that is shorter than the spine, and there is a bend in the transition.¹

Fischer, writing in 1909, presented a typology of both hilts and blade shapes. He uses numbers for each type and does not provide native names for each. The balatu salà appears to be Fischer type B.² 

After the illustrations by Fischer.
The edge is emphasized for clarity.

A South Nias balatu salà.
Sold by Mandarin Mansion in 2022.

Further reading

Glossary article: Belatu

Notes
1. Engelbertus Eliza Willem Gerards Schröder; Nias. Ethnographische, geographische en historische aanteekeningen en studiën. Brill, Leiden. 1917. Page 235.
2. Fischer, H.W.; Catalogus van 's Rijks Ethnographisch Museum, Deel IV, de Eilanden om Sumatra. E.J. Brill, Leiden, 1909. Page 39.