WARANGKA or Sarong

The origin of a Keris can be determined by the shape of its sheath. There are four basic shapes:

1. Gayaman in Java or Bali, for every day use
2. Ladrang in Java or Bali for ceremonies
3. Sandang Walikat, the most simple type
4. Tengah, which is found in the Northern part of the archipelago.

In Sulawesi, the Peninsula and some regions of Sumatra, the sheath has a shoe called buntut.

When making a Warangka, the Mranggi pays a special attention to the choice of the wood, it is made from the most ornamental wood, which is often not the strongest.

Many Gandar (lower part of the sheath) are fitted with a metal sleeve: the Pendok. A painted warangka is called "sunggingan".

The choice of the wood is an essential part of the Keris, as for the pamor, each Kayu (wood) and each Pelet (wood pattern), has a special power. Examples of Kayu (wood) :

1. Teak or Jati, Tectona grandis
2. Cemara Gunung, Dysoxylum acutangulum
3. Trembalo, Cassia glauca
4. Kemuning, Murraya Paniculata
5. Timoho, Kleinhovia hospita
6. Awar Awar, Ficus Leucantatoma
7. Sono or Angsena, Pterocarpus indicus
8. Cendana, Santalun Album
9. Tayuman, (Cassia Laevigata), extremely fine harwood used for Keris ukiran
10. Mahogoni (Swietenia macrophylla)
11. Sanakeling (Dalbergia latifolia).
12. Kendayaan (Bauhinia malabarica)

Examples of Pelet, mostly found on Kayu Timoho and their Tuah (magic power): Sembur, numerous small dark spots

1. Tulak, thick vertical dark lines Segoro Winotan, few large dark spots, increases wisdom
2. Pudak Sinumpet, similar to Tulak, but the center part of the lines is not as dark
3. Pulas, a mix of spots and lines, looks like clouds
4. Nyamel, big black spots
5. Ngingrim, thin parallel dark lines, some are shorter than others
6. Kendit putih, a single horizontal dark line, brings respect
7. Kendit rante, a single horizontal dark line that looks like a chain, helps
8. public prosecutors to prevent defendants from escaping
9. Kendit Ilat-Ilatan, similar to kendit putih, but the line is not as flawless,
10. helps the owner to have great influence
11. Gandrung, middle size black spots, brings fame and love
12. Doreng, looks like tiger skin
13. Dewaduru, a mix of thin and large vertical dark lines, brings fortune
14. Ceplok banteng, many dark spots close together, gives authority
15. Ceplok kelor, similar to cepok banteng but less dense, prevents from having a bad behavior