Figure d'ancêtre "debata idup"

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Description

wood, miniature glass beads, base

This figure was originally part of a pair of ancestor figures “debata idup”, which were carved in the image of the founding ancestors of a clan or village. Like the elaborate magic wands, they were usually made by the “datu” priests.

They were placed on racks inside the house where they were regularly “fed” and anointed. They played an important role in fertility rituals for childless couples.

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Littérature comparée

Sibeth, Achim & Bruce W. Carpenter, Batak Sculpture, Singapore 2007, p. 138

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