Orang melayu mempunyai tradisi persenjataan pelbagai bentuk dan saiz menurut keperluan tertentu. Sumber Portugis menyebut berjenis meriam, senapang, pedang, keris, lembing, sumpitan dan sebagainya digunakan di Melaka tatkala memerangi Portugis. Keris misalnya adalah jenis senjata kecil yang direkacipta bersesuaian denagn pergerakan aktif dan tindakan pantas. Namun begitu, tikaman keris diketahui berbisa dan boleh menyebabkan kematian. Senjata lain seperti lawi ayam, berukuran kecil digunakan semasa kecemasan dan ianya boleh disimpan di bawah tapak tangan. Persenjataan bagi orang Melayu mempunyai pelbagai peranan.

Senjata yang berbentuk panjang dan berat misalnya meriam, pedang, lembing dan sebagainya digunakan di dalam pertarungan, termasuk peperangan. Selain dari itu, peralatan senjata termasuk keris dan pedang menjadi symbol kekuasaan, kewibawaan, perhiasan diri, kesenian dan kebudayaan. Peralatan senjata juga merupakan warisan dan perlambangan hasil karya seni yang tidak ternilai. Teknik penghasilannya diwarisi zaman-berzaman. Kebiasaannya, senjata Melayu memiliki tiga komponen iaitu ulu, bahagian mata (blade) dan sarung penyalut. Ulu biasanya diperbuat dari kayu, tulang, logam dan gading. Bahagian mata pula ditempa dari besi waja yang kadang-kala dititip dengan tembaga dan emas selaku hiasan. Bahagian sarung pula dicipta dari kayu, kulit atau gading.

The Malay kepts the tradition of weaponary in various shapes and sizes tailored to their needs. Portuguese sources described various types of cannons, guns, swords, keris, blowpipe, spears and others used in Melaka during the way against Farenghes. The keris for example was a small weapon created for agirlity and speed. However the wound inflicted by the keris was known to be fatal other weapons such as the lawi ayam, small in size, was use in times of emergency and kept in the palm of the hand. Malay weaponary served various functions. Long and heavy weapons such as the cannon, sword, spear and the like were used during fights and warfare. In addition of decorations of the weapons including the keris and the sword became symbols of power, authority, personnel decoration, art and culture. Weapons also served as invaluable heritage and craftsmanship. The art of producing them were inherited through generations generally the Malay weapons consisted of 3 components, the bilt, the blade and shealth. The bilt is usually carved from wood, bones, metal and ivory. The blade is formed from cast iron, which at times is inlaid with copper and gold a decoration. It shealth is usually made of wood, leather or ivory.