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Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Staff (Tunggal Punaluan)
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
© Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami. All rights reserved.

Staff (Tunggal Punaluan)

Artist/Maker (Indonesia)
Date20th century
Mediumwood and stain
DimensionsOverall: 32 1/8 x 1 x 2 1/8 in. (81.6 x 2.5 x 5.4 cm)
ClassificationsWeapons and Armor
Credit LineGift of The Rubin - Ladd Foundation
Terms
    Object number2005.43.22
    DescriptionBatak shamans use staffs in divination, to ward off danger, and to produce rain. They are used in war dances and also carried for protection in battle and to frighten the enemy. Additional materials such as horsehair or feathers are added to the top of a staff in use. The staff derives its magical power from the incorporation of sacrificial material (pupuk) from a young male child. Pupuk is placed in a hole in the head of the top figure, which usually represents a rider on horseback wearing a vertical headdress. The tongue or mouth of the horse touches the top of the head of the figure below it, a gesture of linkage found throughout the staff. The rest of the figures are comprised of humans, serpents (nagas), crocodiles, buffalos, dogs and other creatures derived from myths that describe the linkage of heaven and earth.
    On View
    Not on view
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Batak people
    20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Dogon people
    20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Jama-Coaque
    200 BCE-600 CE
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Fon people
    20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Nigeria, Yoruba people
    mid 20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Chancay
    1200-1450
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Artist Unknown
    late 19th to early 20th century (printed 1992)
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Nigeria, Yoruba people
    early 20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Nigeria, Yoruba people
    mid 19th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Greater Nicoya
    ca. 1-500
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Classic Veracruz
    ca. 600-900