Perminaken or Guriguri (Batak Magical Substances Container & Stopper)

Known as perminaken or guriguri to the Batak, these medicine containers were used by datu priests to hold important magical substances. The stopper is made from wood that has a deep, dark, blackened patina. It is carved in the form of an ancestor figure crouching; usually, these figures are depicted mounted on the back of a stylized singha, an important protective mythological creature. While the figures are generally naturalistic, in this case it stylized almost to the point of becoming abstract.

As with most perminaken, the carved stopper is fitted into a ceramic jar, which has been covered in a tightly woven cord and then in a fine layer of clay; the exterior, like that of the stopper, appears to be heavily smoked. The fiber attached to the jar may have aided in attachment to the Datu priests (shaman) regalia or to be hung on the wall.

Though the perminaken is considered to be among the equipment of "the" datu, it is important to remember that there are several sub-specialties within the general shaman category. Different types of priests include healer and preparer of medicines, masseur, healer of mental illnesses, the astrology specialist, the fortune teller, the one who reproduces the language of the spirits, the medium between the living and the dead, the specialist in magic spells, the specialist in singing the magic spells, the master of black magic, the specialist amulet-maker, and the one who prepares the magic substances; this container is probably of the type used by the first or last of these.

Ceramic, clay, cord, carved wood, palm fibers, rope.  Bottle: 11.5 x 9cm; stopper: 17.5 x 3.5cm; together 25 x 9cm.

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