• The Mandarin term “巴冷刀” is a combination of Malay and Mandarin. The Mandarin term “巴冷” is a transliteration of the Malay term parang.
•  The term parang originated from Malaysia between the 18^th and 19^th centuries. It was originally a weapon used by villagers to defend themselves against wild beasts.
• Parangs are also used by locals to build houses in the jungle, construct furniture and in farming.
• In tropical Southeast Asia, residents use parangs as tools to clear away trees for paths.
• In Borneo, the parang is a tool used by Dayak headhunters to decapitate their enemy. The Dayak people practiced headhunting to pray for a good rice harvest, to allow the spirits of slaves to see their masters, or to pay dowry for marriages.

One day, at 2 am in the morning, four gangsters broke into our house with parangs. I do not know how I found the courage, but I fought them with my bare hands. Although I was badly injured and needed to visit the hospital to get more than 40 stitches, I had kept my family safe. The gangsters had also been injured by me during the fight, and were arrested later. (Lianhe Wanbao，28/4/2018)