Maleng – Majapahit district

The Maleng district is one of the several artisinal zones in Trowulan. Here is where the weapon smithy shops are congregated.

Maleng is located to the southeast of the city, with the temple zones to the west of it and Gontar, the place of residence for some of the commoners in Trowulan, to the north of it.

In front of its southern entrance was a large field. West of the field is a ring for cock fights and east of the field a redoubt. A meeting hall and a market are also situated nearby.

Of all the weapon smiths that ply their trade in Maleng, none are more feared and respected than the empus, the kris-makers. It is them who maintained control of the district and set the rate of sacrifices each shop must contribute during the religious festivals, as well leading the district representatives when comes to meeting the king on official gatherings.

The empus are rightly acknowledged as the foremost masters of kris-making; all over the Malay Archipelago, traders descend on Maleng to buy the newly-forged krisses during the trading season. Apprentices from other states also made their way to Maleng, willing to learn from the feet of these old masters. It is because of this that Maleng possessed one of the more diverse populations in Trowulan.

However, the best empus are not based in Maleng; their expertise has made them in great demand by the palace; therefore, they are housed over there by the king. Other than that, a Maleng-forged kris is truly a prized possession, such is the esteem granted to the venerable empus of Maleng throughout the Archipelago.