Batak bark book in Simalungun Batak script

Scope and Content

Side A. F.1 has a leaf design, filling the page. A.2-13: text 6-11 lines per side. Begins: Poda ni pormesa na sampulu duwa ma inon dohot panggorda na wuwaluh. i.e. Instruction about the twelve signs of the zodiac, and the eight panggorda (symbolic animals, from garuda (the mount of Vishnu)). A.15-16 has a divination table in the form of a circle divided into eight segments with small figures of men looking in and out. This is called ketika Johor in Malay, and is connected with the prediction of success in war. A.17 has 5 x 5 compartments, with small animals and no text. A.18: Poda ni pangarumai ma inon ale datu guru ale, a list of ominous spots in some kind of divination, followed by the diagram poramis na lima (= Malay ketika lima), the five times of the day, with the names of the Hindu gods, followed by three lines of explanation. A.20-46 have 8-10 lines of text a side, some divided by lines across, concerning instruction about fortunes in war.

Side B. Ff.1-6 have 8-10 lines per side, beginning with tabas ni ari na pitu, incantations of the seven days of the week. B.7-8: 9 + 9 lines text on the left); an heraldic design and wind-rose (d sa na ualu) on the right. B.9-24: 8-10 lines text per side, with on the left, wind-roses and small animals on the right. B.25-40: 8-10 lines of text per side, some divided by lines across the page. B.41: 5 lines text, lower part blank. The text is concerned with going to the river for ritual purification. B.42-46: blank, except for the scrolled border (Details from Dr. P. Voorhoeve)

Access Information

Access will be granted to any accredited reader

Physical Characteristics and/or Technical Requirements

46 folios. 11 x 6.8 cm. Bound at the top with a piece of goat skin; and at the bottom with a wood board incised with the figure of a lizard, and a magic symbol, a square placed diagonally within a larger square, with eight loops at the corners (bindu matoga). Each folio has a narrow border decoration of scrolled leaves on either side of the text running throughout the length of the manuscript