Headpiece of a magic staff "tungkot malehat"

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Description

wood, rich reddish brown shiny patina, male figure riding atop a zoomorphic being, supporting a receptacle coated with fabric on his head, fine ornamental carving, thorn with drilled hole for mortising at the bottom, base;
the most important object carved and owned by the awesome “datu” priests were certainly their long magic staffs. They were often used as supernatural weapons - to fight off evil spirits and attacks by enemy priests. They were also employed as aids to promote healing, locate lost objects, affect the weather or guarantee the success of a venture. Like other objects of power, the staffs were animated by inserting the magical substance “pupuk” into the heads of the figures and sealing or rubbing the “pupuk” into the recesses.

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Publications

Manfredi, Davide & Serge Le Guennan, Batak, Paris n. d., p. 14

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Exhibition

Manfredi, Davide & Serge Le Guennan, Batak, Paris

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