Ritual CANE (tunggai panaluan)

Batak Culture, South East Asia

Beginning of the 20th century

Wood, horsehair, brass, vegetable fibers

L.: 170; Thickness: 9 cm

Cane called tunggai panaluan depicting a brass rider riding a mythical being: the Singa.

The figure wears a necklace and is topped with a long black horsehair toupee.

The spiritual being is decorated with geometric patterns and opens its mouth to swallow a child. The animated whole rests on a brass sphere. The barrel is wooden.

Batak sticks were very valuable because during the making, many sacrifices took place. 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 devoured by the tree. first stick carved in its wood."

Ref. : 146

Text and photos © FCP CORIDON