The Bataks

Note: These boys aren't The Bataks. It's the artifacts behind that belonged to The Bataks

Overview of the Bataks 

A Singa from a wooden structure of a granary

Located in the mountainous highlands of northern Sumatra, the Batak are one of the largest indigenous groups in Indonesia. They are divided into six groups, the Toba, Pak Pak/Dairi, Karo, Angkola, Mandailing, and Simalungun, and have an estimated total population of 3 million.

Check this cool link: The Batak | Thematic Essay | Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History | The Metropolitan Museum of Art

 

ARTIFACTS OF THE BATAKS

Below are some of the artifacts that we think you might find interesting.

'Magic' bark book (Pustaha)

 As most may know, terms of magic were more familiar during older and more primitive times. This was one of those books which contained magic formulae (tabas), oracles, medicinal recipes, and instructions for performing rituals and producing various magic cures. This book was written in a very old form of Toba Batak dialect, which is no longer used in current day. The priest (datu) was the only member of the Batak Community who could write in these scripts. He would use it to record myths, legends and magical spells.

Extras: The Book can be divided into 3 types. The art of preserving life, The art of destroying life and The art of fortune-telling.

What do we have now?
Well, at present times, we don't really have much 'magic' going around. But, almost everyone has books now. We'd be using textbooks and such. I'm sure you all know what we mean. We use multiple ways of record keeping now.  

Group of Batak Daggers

The Bataks kept weapons made in their own styles as well as others that were obtained through trade with neighboring communities. Different knives would represent different statuses. For example, one of the knives with fine fittings suggest it was carried by a wealthy individual whereas one which is more practical and quite plain would be used for fighting then for everyday use.

What do we have now?
Though we're strongly against battling. We now use guns and different forms of long ranged artillery in fights. Technology has grown to allow more efficient destruction. However, we still use knives for everyday chores like cutting up food. So, you still see standardized designs of these guys mostly in kitchens  .

Wooden container with lid (from Toba Batak)

This is an elaborately carved wooden container with guardian diety and fertility god of the fields, Boraspati, it might have contained ritual food or medicine judging from the perspective of the symbols of its cover.

 What do we have now?

We still use containers for almost the same reasons with some at a greater scale. Except now, with less of fanciful carvings. Current containers are made of plastic and some metal.

Boraspati, guardian diet and fertility god of the fields on the lid