Ritual Cane (tunggai Panaluan) - Batak Culture, South East Asia - Early 20th Century

Ritual cane (tunggai panaluan)
Batak culture, South East Asia
Early 20th century
Wood, horsehair, brass, vegetable fibres
L.: 170 ; Thickness: 9 cm

Cane called tunggai panaluan featuring a brass rider riding a mythical being: the Singa.
The character wears a necklace and a long black horsehair headdress.
The spirit being is decorated with geometric motifs and opens its mouth to swallow a child. The animated ensemble rests on a brass sphere. The shaft is made of wood.

Batak sticks were very precious because many sacrifices took place during the making of them. They represented a myth: "One day an incestuous brother and sister were devoured by a tree. Men, including four, and animals tried to save them. They were also eaten by the tree. The tree was felled and the first stick carved from its wood."

Ref: 146

Text and photos © FCP CORIDON