Language: South Nias
Source: Engelbertus Schröder, 1917

Description

Gari matuwà is the South Nias term for a specific type of sword. 

A typical gari matuwà. I added a red line showing where the edge is.
Mandarin Mansion inventory 2022.

In period sources

Schröder, who lived on the island for years described it as:

"The edge is considerably shorter than the spine. There is first a sharp bend and then a gradual transition to the point. There are two subtypes, one with a straight spine and another with a curved spine. The latter is also called sò bawa wötō, with a point like the beak of a woodpecker."¹

Fischer, writing in 1909, presented a typology of both hilts and blade shapes. He uses letters for each type and does not provide native names for each. The gari matuwà appears to be Fischer type A.² 

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

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.