Karo Batak Perminakan
 

Hello,

From time to time I find objects that complement my collection items on display, such as those from Sumatra. I acquired these two Perminakan for that reason, but without knowing their real purpose. Now I do, but I’ve not told the family (yet) because they would surely object to them in the house.

These are Perminakan (parminaken, guri-guri), one of several types of containers made by a spiritual guru (datu) to hold pupuk, a deadly, supernatural poison used in black magic to inflict damage to enemies. The pupuk is a powerful substance that (it is believed) can be used to reanimate the spirits of the dead (see reference; caution, it is terrifying).

The darker one is from the Karo Batak of north Sumatra, Indonesia, once one of the most fierce cannabalism tribes of Sumatra. The Toba Batak have a similar container, called naga morsarang (sahan).

Dave A