Carving an eye at the center of the handle is meant to strengthen its supernatural power.

[1] For the Belu people of Nusa Tenggara, the surik is considered as a sacred sword.

suriks were also worn by the Meos, the foremost fighters, and usually also the most successful head-hunters of the village.

[2] In cases where a dispute is to be settled between two parties in places like Maubara and Ermera, East Timor are known as nahe no lulun biti (to open and close the mat) or tula mesa leten (to put on the table).

Once it is decided which party are at fault, a form of compensation is made by a payment of money or valuable objects; and the surik in this case is also accepted.