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Dimitri André

In Toba Batak culture and society the priest (Datu) traditionally had a powerful role. He used three essential ritual objects: a magic staff, his medicinal horn (Naga Morsarang), and a bark divination book (Pustaha).
The use of writing was restricted to the Datu's, which required the knowledge of an arcane (secret) language called 'Hata Poda'. This language is related to southern Brahmi of India and ancient Javanese writing systems. 
The Pustaha texts deal with divination, magic, and medicine. They could be used to determine auspicious days for ceremonies or new endeavors, or for reference when casting spells, influencing the weather, finding lost objects, diagnosing illness, or prescribing medicine. 

This rare Pustaha (or Divination Book) is a tree bark book from the Toba Batak People of North Sumatra (Indonesia), and was made in the second half of the nineteenth century. 

It is handwritten on bark from the Alim tree, and has more than twenty documented pages in the form of a concertina fold book. The text runs parallel to the folds in the bark and is read horizontally from left to right.  The first and last pages are fixed to wooden protection boards. A pair of subtly braided rattan ropes fit around each end of the book to keep it from falling open.  

It is in good condition, with a rare minimal user damage.
It is approximately 150 years old, and weights 120 gr.
Closed, it measures 8 x 8 x 4 cm. 

Packed carefully and shipped rapidly, with tracking number and insurance.

Second half of the 19th Century - good condition

Pustaha - Book of Ritual Knowledge - Toba BATAK - North Sumatra - Indonesia

Southeast Asian, Oceanic & American Art

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Southeast Asian, Oceanic & American Art

This object is no longer available, but there’s still lots to explore

Pustaha - Book of Ritual Knowledge - Toba BATAK - North Sumatra - Indonesia

Popular in Southeast Asian, Oceanic & American Art

266 objects

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