Surabaya. For most Indonesians, a keris is a sacred heirloom, wrapped in mystery and often tucked away in cupboards to be passed down quietly through generations. But for Rivo Cahyono, a 48-year-old Surabaya resident of Chinese descent, keris are more than spiritual relics -- they’re serious investments worth billions of rupiah.

Instead of locking his collection away, Rivo wants young people to see the keris as both a cultural identity and a tangible asset. He spreads this message through his Ethnic Indonesia YouTube channel, where he showcases keris stories in a fun, down-to-earth way. With nearly 1,800 videos and 385,000 subscribers, Rivo has become one of the country’s most prominent keris collectors -- a rare position, especially for someone outside traditional Javanese circles.

“The keris is no longer just about mystical legends,” Rivo said in an interview on Sunday. “If preserved well, it has strong economic value, and that makes younger generations more interested in keeping this tradition alive.”

From Heirloom to Market Asset
Rivo started collecting seriously in 2016 and now owns more than 1,000 keris, sourced from across Indonesia. Prices range from just a few hundred thousand rupiah to over Rp1 billion ($61,385). His oldest piece, he claims, dates back to the 9th century.

At a recent keris exhibition, one seller offered him a piece priced at Rp150 million ($9,207). For Rivo, such moments highlight how the market for keris is shifting away from mysticism and toward financial appreciation.

Even President Prabowo Subianto, back when he was Defense Minister, once called Rivo via video chat to express support for his mission to keep the keris tradition alive.

The keris, listed by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage, is most closely linked with Javanese tradition but is also found across Indonesia, from Aceh to Bali. Once regarded primarily as a ceremonial accessory, the keris is now attracting attention for its potential as a collectible.

Rivo’s efforts have even earned him a royal nod: the title Kanjeng Raden Arya, awarded personally by Sri Susuhunan Pakubuwana XIII of the Surakarta Palace, recognizing his dedication to preserving Indonesian culture.

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