Friday with Friends!

The Kris: Blade, Symbol, and Spirit of the Archipelago
Ronald Stride

This month’s talk explores the kris, a cultural symbol found across the Malay region from southern Thailand to the Philippines. This asymmetrical double-edged dagger is known for its distinctive wavy blade, intricate patterns, and rich symbolic meaning. Learn about its 600-year history, exceptional craftsmanship, and enduring cultural significance through fascinating stories and rare examples.


About the speaker


Ronald Stride is currently the chairman of the board of directors of Food from the Heart, a Singapore-based charity that distributes food to the underserved. He spent most of his career at Booz Allen Hamilton, an international management consultancy. He retired in 2000 as a senior partner and managing director for Asia and served as president of the American Association of Singapore from 2007 to 2011. Stride graduated with a BA degree from Providence College, US, in 1962. He has lived in Singapore with his wife, Janet, for 35 years. In the early 1980s, the couple spent five years in Indonesia, where their passion for collecting local art and artefacts began.


Organised by the Friends of the Museums (FOM) with support from ACM