VCM

11Story

07 May 2009

The protection

The Batak

Contents
- The history and western discovery of the Batak
- Social and political life
- Religion and rituals
            * The beliefs
            * Tondi and begu
- The objects of the priest: the datu items
- The Death
- Synopsis of the exhibition
            * The Workd of the Dead
            * Singa
            * Musical instruments
            * The Toba House
          * Enclosing the world
            * Weapons and associated objects
            * The datu items
            * The protection
- Bibliography

The protection

Many Batak objects are used to offer protection from the hostile world outside the community. This does not only concern enemies, from other villages, but also evil spirits from the 'other world'. The singa heads used as house decorations are good exmaples of protective figures. Statues of ancestors who have reached a high status in the world of the dead can also serve as protectors. Decorated staffs, often with human figures placed on the top of them, serve to protect the fields against evil influences. In all cases a datu's, knowledge of the rituals is needed to activate the objects. Special fluids are made and placed on the objects to give the statues and the wooden sticks their protective function. Stone statues can also be used to mark borderline or to protect villages and fields.