"Parang" is a word used in the Malay world to describe any type of single edge chopping weapon. In Malay, the word literally means "big cutter". In the Americas it might be called a machete. Typically, a parang is used for clearing a way through the jungle, or for hunting. Some types, such as the Parang Nabur, are intended foremost as weapons of war.
Is it a Parang or a Golok?
These terms are sometimes confused. The information below, also from the Malaysian collector, may or may not make things more clear for you:
All golok are parang but not all parang are golok.
Only certain types of bladed tools in the parang family are called as golok.
Example 1: Golok Perak is a golok and it is also a parang.
Example 2: Golok Rembau is a golok and it is also a parang.
Example 3: Parang Lading is a parang but it IS NOT a golok.
Example 4: Parang Jenguk is a parang but it IS NOT a golok.
Parang is a generic name for the traditional South East Asian bladed tools with a single primary cutting edge larger (i.e. longer and wider) than pisau (i.e. knife).
A certain type of parang with a "straighter" blade profile is called a Golok.
See also "Synoptic of Dayak Parang"
See also "PARANG_NJABOER-NABUR _Recognition_Chart" (pdf)