| Balato is the Nias warriors sword, it comes in a variety of shapes. It can be recognized by its hilt representing an animal's head and has a brass ferrule. The wooden scabbard is decorated with a series of metal rings or rattan strips. The typical Balato has a Lasara (monster head) hilt. The blade is not laminated and can have various forms, the common factors are: a single edge that starts only a few centimeters from the hilt, it is more or less widening to the point. | |
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Nias warrior with a Balato |
