Brief Description:  The ekor lotong (also known as the monkey-tail cannon) is a traditional Malay swivel gun used throughout the archipelago. Mounted on merchant and war vessels, it was prized for its maneuverability, allowing defenders to rapidly pivot and aim during close-quarters naval combat.

Physical Design and Features:

The "Monkey Tail" Handle: The name ekor lotong translates to "tail of a lotong (monkey)". This refers to the distinct, curved tiller or handle at the back of the cannon. It was used by the gunner to quickly aim, pivot, and adjust the elevation of the weapon.

Swivel Mount: The gun featured a central pivot pin (a pintle) designed to slot into a ship's railing or fortification. This allowed for a full 360° rotation and swift tracking of moving targets.

Bore and Caliber: It was a relatively light, small-caliber cannon designed to fire anti-personnel ammunition like grapeshot or stone projectiles, rather than heavy solid shot meant for destroying massive ship hulls.

Loading Mechanism: While later colonial-era variants transitioned to muzzle-loading, early traditional models were breech-loading, utilizing a separate powder chamber (often called a cetbang or boîte style) that could be quickly swapped and reloaded.