Amulet

Museum number:
18-941
Permalink:
ark:/21549/hm21180000941
Description:
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.
Collection place:
Sumatra, Indonesia
Culture or time period:
Batak
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Amulets
Function:
5.2 Magic: Objects Associated with Practices reflecting confidence in the ability to manipulate supernatural agencies
Department:
Asia (except western Russia)
Loans:
S1978-1979 #7: Music Library (UC Berkeley)/Ann Basart (July 13, 1978–October 25, 1978)
Images:
Hearst Museum object 1 of 2 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 2 of 2 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.
Legacy documentation:
Documentation associated with 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.

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