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Old 21st September 2024, 09:22 PM   #1
bellejoie
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Join Date: Sep 2024
Location: Eastern USA
Posts: 2
Default Ceremonial Spear? Dayak? Batak? or ?____?

We hope that members of this forum can help us learn more about the origin and cultural heritage of the ethnic spear in photos attached.
We have always admired its excellent artistic craftsmanship. Because of the ornate decoration, numerous teeth, and delicate materials, we think it might be intended for ritual or ceremonial purposes. We are very curious to understand the likely beliefs, intentions, and meaning of its creation.

From image searches online, and much appreciated insights in preliminary correspondence with a member of this forum, we have many questions and wonder:

1) Do the design and materials suggest a likely culture and place of origin?
2) Do they indicate a possible time or age?
3) Could style and decorations have spiritual significance? or perhaps authoritative symbolism?
4) Could the teeth, beadwork, hair, etc. suggest it may be from a Dayak culture? or elsewhere?
5) Might the face carving suggest Batak origin? northern Sumatra? or another source?
6) Would it properly be called a Tombak? or other proper identity name in its native culture?
7) Does the blade provide clues?
8) What is the animal and habitat source of the horn in the lower shaft?
9) Are the teeth likely human? boar? or other animal?
Size is 38 inches from tip to tip including hair.

Though unsure where, Marie acquired this object during worldwide travels while a Pan Am flight attendant. On time off, via local flights, buses, boats, & other transports to remote locations, she enjoyed to experience unique native cultures.
She was based in Jakarta Indonesia for several months in late 1975 to transport pilgrims to the Hajj. Her letters to parents note that she visited Bali, areas around Java, and in Sumatra flew to Medan, then by buses to Parapat, Batak villages around Lake Toba, Samosir Island, Bukittinggi, and Padang.

Thank you in advance for your assistance and any insights or references you can provide.
Best regards, Marie and Jim
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