Collection place: Sumatra, Indonesia / Loans: S1978-1979 #7: Music Library (UC Berkeley)/Ann Basart (July 13, 1978–October 25, 1978) - Hearst Museum Portal Search Results

Start Over Collection place Sumatra, Indonesia Loans S1978-1979 #7: Music Library (UC Berkeley)/Ann Basart (July 13, 1978–October 25, 1978)

Hearst Museum object titled Amulet, accession number 18-941, described as Amulet, bone, section of rib, with incised figures of a mythical fish and bird on one side and a Batak inscription on the other; perforation on one end. Made from rib bone of sacrificed water buffalo. Used as a protective amulet; worn by warriors under headcloth to ward off bullets, missiles, and lethal blows; other uses: hung on the roof post of the house during ritual hair washing; worn by menstruating women to ward off ghosts and spirits that might cause illness; the figures are apotropaic, and the inscription is a spell summoning certain spirits. Length 13.5 cm.

Hearst Museum object titled Amulet, accession number 18-940, described as Amulet, bone; one side covered with inscription in Batak characters; other side has a protective spirit figure, a seven-pointed star, and eight-armed and four-armed cross; triangular shape, perforation near apex. Made from scapula of a sacrificed water buffalo. Used as a protective amulet; worn by warriors under the headcloth to ward off bullets, missiles, and lethal blows; other used: hung on the roof post of the house during ritual hand washing; worn by menstruating women to ward off ghosts and spirits that might cause illness; the figures are apotropaic, and the inscription is a spell summoning certain spirits. Length 16.5 cm

Hearst Museum object titled Book, accession number 18-942, described as Book, written in Batak character in black ink on a long piece of bark folded like an accordion. A magician’s book for controlling spirits. Width 6 cm.

Hearst Museum object titled Calendar, accession number 18-945, described as calendar inscribed in Batak script on a joint of bamboo; Context of use: calendar divided into 12 months of 30 days each; used for determining lucky and unlucky days for various undertakings, especially marriages and wars. Sometimes the magician spins it into a dish of water and reads the upper visible portion as an augury

Hearst Museum object titled Gong, accession number 18-716, described as Gong of brass;with dome protruding in center;fiber carrying cord; rim diam. 20.7 cm.

Hearst Museum object titled Gong, accession number 18-994a-c, described as Gong model; a) gong structure with roof, striker; b) slit gong suspended within structure, c) striker

Hearst Museum object titled Jew's harp, accession number 18-711, described as Jew's harp of pot metal; played by boys; Length: 5 cm.

Hearst Museum object titled Jew's harp, accession number 18-712, described as Jew's harp of pot metal; played by boys; Length: 5 cm.

Hearst Museum object titled Metal drum, accession number 18-717a,b, described as Gong instrument, pair of brass, with dome protruding in center; used as pair in left hand and struck by "gong?" held in right hand;rim diam. a) 13.4 cm. B)11.4 cm.