Guardian statue "pagar" · Indonesia - Sumatra, Batak · ID: 3040574
Anuschka Menist, Brussels, Belgium
Adrian Schlag, Brussels, Belgium
Description
wood, rich blackish brown patina, standing figure with block-like legs, typcial oversized head, eyes with metal inlay, separate carved forearm (fixed with wooden pegs), oversized hands with inwardly bent fingers (originally holding two poles), small opening in the chest, closed with resin, drilled ear holes, slightly dam., cracks, abrasion of paint, bipartite base;
“pagar” means “fence” and designates “a natural (stone, tree trunk) or manufactured object (wooden figure), which has the power to keep away evil spirits or to protect against witchcraft. Figures usually have a plugged hole in the torso or head which contains “pupuk”, a power substance. Dressed in cloth, grass, and leaves the figure is activated by special incantations spoken by the shaman “datu”. “Pagar” primarily protect houses, fields and people against malevolent spirits called “begu”. “Pagar” statues were set up in the house in a basket which was placed on top of a tall pole.
Comparing literature
Feldman, Jerome, The eloquent dead, Los Angeles 1985, p. 87 ff.