• “巴冷” is a transliteration of parang, the Malay name for this type of knife, while “刀” means “knife” in Mandarin.
  
• The parang originated in the Malay world between the 18th and 19th centuries. It was originally a weapon used by villagers to defend themselves against wild animals.
  
• Parangs are also used by locals to build houses in the jungle, construct furniture and in farming.
• In tropical Southeast Asia, parangs are used to clear paths through thick
  vegetation.

One night, at 2 am, 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 had to visit the hospital to get more than 40 stitches, I had kept my family safe. The gangsters were injured by me during the fight and were subsequently arrested. (Lianhe Wanbao, 28/4/2018)