Magic staff "tungkot malehat" ·  Indonesia - Sumatra, Toba / Karo - Batak · ID: 3033417

Description

hardwood, brown patina, encrusted in some areas, surmounted by a single carving of a large male figure riding a horse at the very top of the staff, a turban of fabric with feather crowning hides the magical loading “pupuk”, the body of the staff left plain, aside of metal sheet cuffs, slightly dam., on metal base;
the magic staffs are the most important utensil of the “datu” priest. In most cases they are carved by himself and then animated by inserting the magical substance “pupuk” into the head or chest of the figure, and sealing or rubbing the “pupuk” into the recesses. The magic staffs 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 success of a venture. The staffs were also instruments of power, and they could represent a “raja”, or act as a guarantor for truces and agreements.

Littérature comparée

Sibeth, Achim, Carpenter, Bruce W., Batak Sculpture, Singapore 2007, p. 64 f.