Bark-book (pustaha) in Batak Language

Collection — Box: GTM Shared Box 39

Identifier: GTM-0066

Request

Scope and Contents

Magical/medical knowledge compiled by a member of a class of magician-priests called datu, written in the Batak language of Sumatra.

Dates

Creation: 1750 - 1850

Conditions Governing Access

Most manuscripts collections at the Georgetown University Booth Family Center for Special Collections are open to researchers; however, restrictions may apply to some collections. Collections stored off site require a minimum of three days for retrieval. For use of all manuscripts collections, researchers are advised to contact the Booth Family Center for Special Collections in advance of any visit.

Conditions Governing Use

Researchers are solely responsible for determining the copyright status of the materials being used, establishing who the copyright owner is, locating the copyright owner, and obtaining permission for intended use.

Extent

0.14 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

Batak languages

Metadata Rights Declarations

License: This record is made available under an Universal 1.0 Public Domain Dedication Creative Commons license.

Additional Description

Custodial History

GTM-0066 was at some time prior to 1970 housed with the wooden map box of the Nicholas Cleary Collection, GTM-0020, and counted among its contents. Curatorial file found with the Nicholas Cleary Collection.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

An undated (around 1930) autographed letter found in the curatorial file implies that the pustaha was a gift or purchase from Ernest L. Prior, of Fort Myers, Florida.

Condition Description

Contents of the pustaha are written on a single strip of bark removed along the length of an Aquilaria malaccensis tree. It is first soaked in rice water and folded into an accordion book, with wooden boards glued to the top and bottom of the strip. The contents of the pustaha are written on both sides of the bark. Good overall condition, although the two cover boards have detached, and one board was split into two pieces long ago, and repaired using rattan cordage. Cover boards and folded bark "pages" may be of different ages.