
Batak Pustaha from Sumatra, 1857
Rare Batak Pustaha from northern Sumatra in Indonesia.
This unique hand produced book is in manuscript form on tree bark and is housed in hand carved wooden covers. Bound in leporello/concertina style and consisting of 32 text pages in Batak script and drawings and diagrams in red and black ink. 6 of the panels contain red drawings, with an additional 3 panels carrying red blocks on what looks like a kind of divination chart or table.
The wooden cover is carved with 4 panels each with a lizard or ilik - a type of gecko representing Boraspati ni Tano, a benevolent deity of the Batak people, which surround a central roundel. On the rear there is a carving of a 4-Point star design.
Pustaha are generally very difficult to date exactly, but this pustaha has an inset coin on the front cover which helps to date the book for us. The cover carries an inset King Willem III Netherlands East Indies copper coin, which is clearly dated to 1857. The coin's denomination would have been 2 1/2 cents.
This book deals with divination and magic ritual and was intended for use by spiritual leaders (datu) and their disciples. These books are also often related to medicine. The datu can also be viewed as a "medicine man" type figure.
In good condition overall, with wear commensurate with age. A rare opportunity to purchase a unique object.
Dimensions; approximately 9.7cm high 12cm wide x 3cm deep.
Weight: approximately 182g.