Large Batak bark book

Reference No:
U DSE/46
Dates:
18th-20th cent.
Description:

Side A. ff. 1-10 have 19-20 lines per side. A.10 is divided by a number of lines across the page, and some verticals, enclosing short fomulas in boxes, of which three end with small, roughly drawn wind-roses. The final section begins with a large diamond-shaped vignette, beginning with the words Poda ni aji payung, which introduces a text on divination from the surface of the cut-off neck of a pig or a dog. (P. Voorhoeve).

Side B. f. B.1 has the first line illegible due to blackening by smoke; there are 21 lines of text. B.2 has 7 lines text + a line across + a further 17 lines of text. B.3 has 23 lines of text, of which two formulas are enclosed on the left within rectangular lines. On the right, above, are four faces within a roundel, and three insects outside. In a section below these are two grubs and a cow. B.4 has 17 lines of text, and in a square marked off on the right, seven cattle in a panel. Below, across the page, there is a procession of fishes and grubs. There is some blue ink-staining at the bottom. B.5 has 25 lines of text, the first six divided off by an irregular line. To the right, in a square, there is a curling dragon. B.6 has 22 lines, with several short formulas enclosed in boxes across the middle of the page, with small outlines of magic animals. B.7-12 have 21-24 lines per side, the text of B.12 being rubbed away at the bottom.

Format:
Archive Item
Extent:
1 volume
Language:
Batak languages
Access Conditions:
Access will be granted to any accredited reader
Repository:
Hull University Archives
Collection:
Artificial Collection of South-East Asian Manuscripts