The keris comes under the category of stabbing weapons. According to research made by the experts, such stabbing weapons are found only in Southeast Asia, especially in the archipelago. However, due to the geographic situation, which isolates one island from another, these stabbing weapons have undergone varied development covering form, name, and function in community life. In Aceh they take the form of the rencong, in South Sulawesi the badik, in West Java the kujang, and in Central Java as well as in East Java, the keris. The keris itself eventually cme to be worn in several regions in Indonesia : West Java, Madura, Bali, Sumatra, Sulawesi, Kalimantan, et cetera.

Parallel to developments in culture and the social system, the function of the keris underwent transformation. Having begun as a stabbing weapon, the keris later became an object of reverence and respect, an object of worship, the symbol of family ties, a sign of service, rank or position, an item of luxury, and finally looked upon as a product of artistic handiwork.

The keris is made by a smith - maker of kerises - called Empu. Usually the empu is a member of the royal family or a member of the royal household. Thus, the keris-making centres have changed with the rise and fall of kingdoms, especially the island of Java. The empu lived mostly within the royal compound, or at least under the supervision of the Court. The keris may, therefore, be classified as palace culture. Some kerises were made outside the Court, but the empu was always under the Court's ever-watchful eyes.

The keris is a product of the evolution of stabbing weapons on the island of Java, therefore, its development has risen and fallen with the Javanese kingdoms. Chronologically, this development is as follows :