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John F. Mason Collection of Batak Manuscripts
Notifications
Held at: Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division [Contact Us]
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.
Overview and metadata sections
John F. Mason was a Princeton collector of Sumatran manuscripts.
The collection chiefly includes manuscripts of the ancient texts called pustaha. The subject-matter of the pustaha is confined to traditional medication, spells and charms, almanacs and dream interpretations. The manuscripts are in codex form, carved bamboo tubes, and in rolls housed in bamboo tubes. All of the items in this collection are undated but are probably 18th and 19th century.
This collection is organized by manuscript number.
Gift of John F. Mason.
For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.
No appraisal information is available.
Subject
- Magic -- Sumatra (Indonesia)
- Incantations
- Manuscripts, Batak -- New Jersey -- Princeton
- Batak language -- Manuscripts
- Batak (Indonesian people) -- Manuscripts
Place
- Publisher
- Manuscripts Division
- Finding Aid Date
- 2009
- Access Restrictions
-
The collection is open for research.
- Use Restrictions
-
Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. No further photoduplication of copies of material in the collection can be made when Princeton University Library does not own the original. Inquiries regarding publishing material from the collection should be directed to RBSC Public Services staff through the Ask Us! form. The library has no information on the status of literary rights in the collection and researchers are responsible for determining any questions of copyright.
Collection Inventory
Pustaha. Chain of transmission: Guru Homitan Ni Aji of the Lontung moiety - Guru Sam - pang Mauli of the clan Siratt in Lumban Gala-gala (the copyist) - Owner's mark (?) in pencil (page b16) Aman Tomu Manurung in (illegible).
Contents: Divination, such as sipatama-tama, pangarambuiand parmula sahit.
Physical Description1 itemNo covers. Ink of poor quality, coming off on opposite pages. Drawings black and red, but not the genuine Batak red paint; imitated from an old original by an inexperienced draftsman. The copyist apologizes (page a9) for the quality of the bark; he could not find the proper kind of tree. Smooth writing with curvy lines. Northern ta.
1 itemTwo wooden covers, one with a hole near a corner with a piece of string on which a plaited rattan band is fastened. Drawings black and black/red. Large writing (the width of a ga is 9 mm). Northern ta.
Pustaha. Chain of transmission: first text Guru Sinaingan Ni Aji in Pangaribuan na bolak - Datu Garaga n.a. - Guru Humutur Ni Aji - Guru So Dumpangon Ni Aji in Lumban Pinasa. Second text: Guru So Juang - Ompu Naga Ni Aji - Guru Humutur Ni Aji - Guru So Dumpangon Ni Aji.
Contents: Divination, i.e. Manuk gantung, pormanuhon and rambu siporhas; magic, i.e. pangulubalang.
Physical Description1 itemThere is glue on the outer leaves but no covers. Drawings black and one black/red.
Pustaha. Chain of transmission: the name of the teacher is unclear. The pupil's name is Guru Sinanda Ni Aji.
Contents: Magic, i.e. si aji bunga-bunga, si rudang gara, aji tompul.
Physical Description1 itemNo covers. Drawings black and red. Southern ta.9 x 6.6 cm.
Pustaha. Chain of transmission: Guru Niantanan Ni Aji - Ompu Raja Debata in Sitorang na godang - Ompu Raja Na Balu, also called Raja Opat Ni Aji, of the clan Napitupulu.
Magic: pamunu tanduk.
Physical Description1 itemFirst part severely damaged; only a small fragment of the first leaf is still there. No covers. Drawings black and black/red. Southern ta.14 x 12.4 cm.
Pustaha. Chain of transmission: part illegible; from Si Manga (ra) Pimtu to Guru Mangadang Ni Aji in Jonggi Ni Huta.
Magic: datu madang-adang and si jonggi-jonggi ; divination: rambu siporhas.
Physical Description1 itemTwo modern wooden covers. Most of the text is blackened by smoke and illegible. Drawings of black and red. Northern ta.14.6 x 11 cm.
Pustaha. Chain of transmission: Raja Ulang Lubu from the Batak Toru country, whose village was Longo-longo (primeval forest), Guru Nirodangan of the clan Rarambean - his brother-in-law Bintang Timur Ni Aji - his son-in-law Datu Porgiting (?) of the clan Parapat in Porsambilan - Guru Mangoljo Ni Aji of the clan Silitonga - his grandson Guru Mortuwa Ni Aji of the clan Siagian - his son Guru So Sung-gulon Ni Aji in Lumban Dolok - his brother-in-law Guru Hatahutan Ni Aji of the clan Panjaitan, the copyist. The last pages are written by Aman Jandilan Ni Aji Guru Panguhalan Ni Aji.
Medicine: various kinds of taoar.
Physical Description1 itemTwo wooden covers, one with four holes with a fragment of a carrying string on which a piece of fur is fastened. One rattan band. Drawings black and white. Decorative borders along both sides of the strip of bark. Some leaves repaired by sewing. Southern ta.c.21.5 x 20.2 cm.
Bamboo tube. Divination calendar: porhalaan.
Physical Description1 itemSouthern ta.
Bamboo tube. Written for Ompu Lahi Ni Aji.
Divination: ari simonang-monang and other methods of choosing lucky days.
Physical Description1 itemNorthern ta.
Bamboo tube. Divination: mula sahit.
Physical Description1 itemSouthern ta.
Bamboo tube of two internodes. Magic: a love-philtre, dorma.
Physical Description1 itemSouthern ta.
Pustaha. Chain of transmission: Ompu Ni Mingkara Ni Aji Datu Morle Aji - Guru Pina - inggal Ni Aji.
Divination: manuk gantung.
Physical Description1 itemTwo wooden covers. Drawings black and red. Northern ta.c.11.4 x 8.3 cm.
Pustaha. Divination: manuk gantung.
Physical Description1 itemTwo wooden covers, painted black. Vignettes black and red. Southern ta.9.5 x 7.1 cm.
Chain of transmission: Tuwan Nahoda Pangururan of the clan Simbolon - Raja Sitorgaling Ompun Dugur Ni Aji of the clan Manurung - Guru Tinonahon Ni Aji - Taga Ni Aji - Guru Mangina Ni Aji of the clan Hutajulu from Laguboti - Raja Hutur Laut Ompu Raja Lipan Ni Aji of the clan Panjaitan in Sitorang. The second text from Sinaboru Bunga Pandan in Batak Toru to Guru Mangina Ni Aji.
Magic: dorma sihatuit; divination: manuk gantung.
Physical Description1 itemPustaha. Two wooden covers, on one of them rests of carving. Drawings black, except the large bindu (vignette) at the beginning of the second side, which is black and red.11.2 x 8.2 cm.
Pustaha. Chain of transmission: Tuwan Nahoda Raja from Pangururan - Ompu Ni Pangian of the clan Naiborhu from Uluwan - Ompu Ni Manubung of the clan Siagiyan from Sigumpar - Raja Sumendal of the clan Morpayung from Siantar - Ompu Ni Manalubung of the clan Siagiyan from Sitorang na godang - Ompu Ni Porrungguwan from Palipi, but the pupil for whom the book was written is also called Ompu Ni Mortahan Ni Aji.
Prescriptions for making gun-powder: pordahanon sira masiu; divination: pormanuhon and other methods.
Physical Description1 itemTwo wooden covers, one with holes for a string. Black drawings. Southern ta.8.1 x 8.1 cm.
Pustaha. Chain of transmission: Ompu Ni Mahengkun (read: Manungkun) Tahi Ni Aji - (illegible).
Divination: pane na bolon.
Physical Description1 itemNo covers. First and last leaves damaged. Some writing rubbed off by use. Black drawings. Northern ta.8.9 x 8.9 cm.
Pustaha. Chain of transmission: Ompu Ni Pandanggur Ni Aji - his son Guru Panguhala Ni Aji.
Divination: manuk di ampang.
Physical Description1 itemNo covers. Outside somewhat damaged. Drawings black with some red. Southern ta.5.8 x 6.7 cm.
Fragments of a Pustaha. The fragments belong to two texts, magic (pangulubalang ) and divination (porbuhitan ).
Physical Description1 item
Six bamboo tubes, open on one end and with a node at the other end. The nodes have holes in which pieces of string made from the black fibre of the sugar-palm are fastened. The six strings are knotted together.
PB 19. 40.5 x 6 cm. Southern ta. Divination: hatiha.
PB 20. 30 x 5 cm. Southern ta. Divination calendar: porhalaan and divination tableshatiha.
PB 21. 28.5 x 5.5 cm. Southern ta.Divination: rasiyan and an incantation over apagar.
PB 22. 21 x 5 cm. A careless copy of a divination calendar: porhalaan.
PB 23. 32.5 x 4.5 cm. Southern ta. Divination: ruji.
PB 24. 24 x 6 cm. A careless copy of a divination calendar: porhalaan.
Physical Description6 item
Pustaha. Chain of transmission: Sinaboru Suranti from Batak Toru - Si Tuan Humarutur senge-senge ni anak (meaning unknown) Ompu Raja Manonggak bao raja Mandobo - Dari Mangambat Ni Aji - Guru So Malaing Ompu ni Patala Jonggi - Raja Buntu Paung Guru Panguhalan Ni Aji Ompun So Tarduga - Ompu Raja Nadong of the clan Nadiborhu.
Divination: pormanuhon (manuk gantung, and manuk di ampa, 22); magic: ponpang sihalung; divination:pane na bolon.
Physical Description1 itemTwo wooden covers, one old with carving, one new. Holes for a carrying string. Writing obliterated in some places. Drawings black and red. Southern ta.14.4 x 10.9 cm.
Pustaha. Divination: aji payung and rasiyan ni anak tubu.
Physical Description1 itemTwo modern wooden covers. A large drawing extending over seven pages, black and red. Part illegible. Southern ta.13 x 11.2 cm.
Chain of transmission: Incomplete. Ompu ni Si pange? anak na di Ambaton in Porsambilan Bonan Dolok - Ompun Sordit Ni Aji in Si Batak Kola, also called Guru Maguyang Aji, grandson of Datu Manggiling of the clan Pane Na Bolon.
Magic: panuruni.
Physical Description1 itemPustaha. Leaves askew. Two wooden covers, one with holes for a string. One or two leaves missing at the beginning. Southern ta. Numerous drawings, black and red.c. 22 x 18 cm.
Pustaha. Chain of transmission: First text Ompu Ni Batubara - Guru Panaehan Ni Aji - Datu Pangarambu Ni Aji. Second text: Na Gara Di Langit, sister of Iman Patuwan from Djau Godang - Guru Mangaleyang Ni Aji of the clan Nadapdap from Urat - Raja Balahuta Ni Aji of the clan Manurung - Guru Sabungan Ni Aji. Third text: Ompu Ni Bingkara - Ompu Ni Manalubung Aman Sompa Oloan of the clan Manurung from Naruma(m)bing and Datu Pormanuk Ama Ni Hombar Raja.
Magic: aji habonaran , pagar and pangulubalang pamo(l)tong.
Physical Description1 itemCarelessly folded bark. Two wooden covers, painted black. Drawings black and red. Northern ta.c.14.5 x c.13 cm.
Pustaha. Chain of transmission: So Marala Ni Aji in Banuwa Raya - his brother-in-law. Copyist Guru Laling Ni Aji in Simadihon.
Divination: porhalaan; magic: pagar and pamunu tanduk.
Physical Description1 itemTwo wooden covers, painted black, one of them with a carrying string fasted in four holes. Two rattan bands. Black drawings. Soutehrn ta.c.19 x 12 cm.
Pustaha. Chain of transmission: The order of the names is not clear. From Datu I(n)dar Malau Guru Iyang Debata to Datu Losa Ni Aji (and?) Toga Ni Aji. Copyist Guru Saniang Naga Ni Aji from Hatinggian Lumban Manurung; also mentioned is Tano Sibuttuon.
Magic: pagar and pangulubalang.
Physical Description1 itemTwo modern wooden covers painted black. Drawings black and red. Careless writing. Northern ta.c.14 x 11.8 cm.
Pustaha. Chain of transmission: First text Datu Sarumpaet - Na Pitu Hali Datu (i.e. the seven times initiated datu) - Singa Mortandang - Guru Sambowawang(?) - Guru Agak - Guru Medan Ni Aji of the clan Angkat - Ompu Raja Harngguwan Ni Aji - Raja Piniliyan Ni Aji anak na di Ambaton in Rahut Bosi - Sihaloho (the name of a clan) Raja Humaruyur Ni Aji anak na di Suwanon in Dolok Sait (or Siat Ni Huta). Second text Guru Sampang Mauli - Guru Dan? Ni Aji - Datu So Maila anak na di Ambaton in Simanindo - Raja Piniliyan - Raja Humariyur (the copyist).
Divination : rambu siporhas; porbuhitan.
Physical Description1 itemTwo wooden covers, one with four holes in which parts of a string are still fastened. Traces of carving. Drawings black and red. Part of the text discoloured and difficult to read. Southern ta.c.24.8 x 18.2 cm.
Pustaha. Chain of transmission: (parts illegible) Tuwan Musa on Pulo Masiyang in the sea - Guru Legang Ni Aji - Guru So Sunggulon Ni Aji - Guru Malegang Ni Aji - Guru Sinambingan Ni Aji - Guru Sinomba Ni Aji of the clan Sitohang Lumban Taruwan in Silombu Lumban Sibabiyat. Copied by Guru Pinajolo Ni Aji in Sibisa.
Miscellaneous contents, mainly magic, e.g. pagar buruk and medicine (taoar).
Physical Description1 itemNo covers. Southern ta.16.5 x 9.5 cm.
Chain of transmission: On the side with the southern ta there are three pedigrees, all ending with Datu Horbo Ni Aji. He learned the instructions from 1. Guru So Biasan - Ompu Ni Panigogoan Ni Aji - Guru Manuntun Ni Aji. 2. Guru Hapoan - Raja Ngantoan Ni Aji - Raja Matoga Ni Aji - Guru Manuntun Ni Aji. 3. Ompu Ni Arimo - Guru Manundut Ni Aji - Raja Humortak Ni Aji.
On the side with the northern ta there is one long pedigree: a man of the clan Na di Borhu (or: a man in old times) from the other side of the ocean - Datu Morladu Ni Aji - Datu Garaga Ni Aji - Ompu Ni Mangadang Ni Aji - Guru So Halompoan Ni Aji - Ompu Ni Ahar (or more probably Niatur) Ni Aji of the clan Siregar Silali from Pangaribuan - Guru So Ambangon Ni Aji of the clan Pordede in tapiannauli - Datu Hilap Ni Aji - Guru Manubung Ni Aji - Ompu Doangsa (or Doas? Or Dohas?) Ni Aji - Guru Panggilingan Ni Aji in Tapiannauli - Guru Morta(?)han(?) Ni Aji of the clan Simangunsong in Haorotan.
The first side had two texts on divination (manuk gantung ) and two on magic (pagar and pangulubalang). The second side has some fragmentary texts and after that one long text on manuk gantung.
Physical Description1 itemPustaha. Two new wooden covers, painted dark. The beginning and the end of the strip of bark are missing; two written pages are glued to the covers. Drawings black and red. One side southern ta, the other side northern ta.23 x 16 cm.
Pustaha. Divination: porbuhitan(spelt parbuitan). In the part of the text written by the second scribe some fragments of a tale about the Batak trickster Si Jonaha may be discerned, and a drawing of his labyrinthine wall.
Physical Description1 itemIn the text there are two handwritings. One hand has written pp. a 2-20, b 2-6 and b18-20; the other hand b 7-16. The first scribe has used spotty native black ink and a red colour which may be watercolour or red ink from a bottle bought in a shop. The text is a modern copy of an old manuscript, including black and red drawings, some rather course, some faighfully copied from the original. The northern ta is used. The second scribe wrote nonsense. He used a steel pen and ink from a bottle, some syllables are upside down, the illustrations have nothing to do with any Batak style. One of them is a large naturalistic drawing of a bat. In the final drawing by the first scribe some yellow paint is used.
A bamboo tube of three internodes. Magic: incantations for pangulubalang.
Physical Description1 item
Pustaha. Chain of transmission: Guru So Tadingon Hata Ni Aji - Ompu Taronggal(?) Hata Ni Aji - Ompu Ronggur Guru Humuntal Hata Ni Aji - three pupils called Guru Juara Hata Ni Aji, Aman Tuan Na Bolon Datu Tora and Datu Selam Ni Aji.
Magic: (pagar) sipiuwan na bolon. Though the text on the second side of the bark begins at the same end of the strip as the first side it is the continuation of that side.
Physical Description1 itemNo covers. Drawings black and red. Northern ta.16.2 x 12.2 cm.
Pustaha. Chain of transmission: Guru Nilanggean Datu Morsuda Ompan, whose younger brother was Datu Sampar Ni Begu - Ompun So Iloan Ni Aji Guru Sabungan NI Aji of the clan Sihotang in Nagatimbul - Guru Hasiyan Ni Aji of the clan Malayu in Simbolon - Ompu Raja Na Balluk Ni Aji - the copyist Guru Huliman Ni Aji from Sipultak.
Divination: rambu siporhas; magic: pagar pangorom.
Physical Description1 itemTwo wooden covers, one with four holes for a string; a piece of rattan remains in two of the holes. There is one rattan band, nearly broken. Some joints of the bark are broken and wrongly sewn together, so that it is difficult to find one's way through the text. Drawings black and red. Southern ta.16.5 x 14.5 cm
Pustaha. Chain of transmission: (some names have been tampered with) Guru Tandang Ni Aji of the clan Kudadiri in Hanopan - Guru So Baluwang Ni Aji Ompu Ni Pangarambu in Simbolon - (unclear) - (A?)ma Singgur - Guru Tinandangan - Namora Haribunan - Ompu Ni Pangarambu - (name erased, changed to) pormangsi Manurung di Sibatu - Pangandosan Ni Aji of the clan Sibarutu in Pakpak. In the last text the chain of transmission is continued to Guru So Dumpangon of the clan Nadibaho - (name erased).
Divination: rambu siporhas and magic: panuruni and pangulubalang.
Physical Description1 itemTwo wooden covers, one modern and warped, both painted black. The writing has vanished in some places. Some illustrations. Northern ta.29.5 x c.20 cm.
Pustaha. Chain of transmission: from the land (of) Sibeyak Huta Bangun, from Naboru Alas across the ocean - Guru Manalom Debata Ni Aji from Garingging - Guru Sombaon Hata Ni Aji from Limbong Mulana - Guru Mortiyang Hata Ni Aji in Tapiannauli - Si Mortiyang Raja Guru Hasongtiyan Hata Ni Aji and Ompu Ronggang Na Bolon in Sipitu Huta (the order of the names is not certain).
Magic: miscellaneous texts, e.g. paralamaton.
Physical Description1 itemTwo wooden covers, one with four holes for a string; in two of these there is a rest of black string. In the middle of this cover a human molar is fixed. Some of the writing has become illegible. Northern ta.c.24.5 x 19.4 cm.
Pustaha. Chain of transmission: Ompu Ni Manungkun Tahi - Ompu Ni Mangiring Ni Aji and Guru So Matahut Ni Aji - Guru Tumanggu Ni Aji of the clan Sihotang Sitorban Dolok - Ompun Tor Na (U)li, chief of Siamak Pandan - three pupils: Guru Tor Na Uli Hata Ni Aji, Datu Parjaga Ni Aji and Guru Parjaban Ni Aji. Copied by Guru Tumanggu.
Divination: pane na bolon.
Physical Description1 itemTwo warped wooden covers, blackened with paint. Holes for a string, of which a fragment still remains. Drawings black and red. Northern ta17.8 x 25.8 cm.
Pustaha. Chain of transmission: Pedigree: Datu Tala Di Babana of the clan Nadiborhu from Sianjur - Guru Pinajingjing of the clan Pardede Onan - Guru Sinanti of the clan Simanjuntak in Lintong Ni Huta - Guru Pamogang Ni Aji. Two other names are mentioned: Raja Galenja Ni Aji and Guru Sahalana of the clan Pasaribu; their connection with the chain of transmission is not clear.
Divination: pormanuhon (manuk di ampang.
Physical Description1 itemCovers lost. Black drawings. Southern ta.19.5 x 17.2 cm.
Pustaha. Chain of transmission: Datu Sinangbela - Dari So Ambaton Ni Aji - Guru Tinoloan - Guru Panga?(illegible) Ni Aji of the clan Siagian - Guru Junujung Ni Aji of the clan Pane.
Divination: manuk gantung.
Physical Description1 itemNo covers. Black vignettes. Southern ta.12 x 9.5 cm.
Pustaha. Chain of transmission: Raja Mornangkok Ni Aji - Guru Mauli Ni Aji of the clan Simatupang Borutorop from Simorpinggan - Guru Mangarimpun or Mangarimpung Ni Aji in Natuminha, the copyist - Guru Suleman Ni Aji in Natuminha.
Divination: aji payung.
Physical Description1 itemTwo wooden covers, one with protective carvings. Drawings black and red. Southern ta.7.6 x 5.5 cm.
Pustaha. Chain of transmission: Datu Tala di Babana of the clan Nadiborhu - Nai Boru Sibana from across the ocean - Guru Sumirlam of the clan Manurung from Uluwan - Guru Hasiholan from Bangkara - Datu Lopak of the clan Lumban Toruan in Lumban Gaol - Ompu Ni Barani Tunggal, who made some additions to the text - two pupils Ama Raja Ihutan Guru So Boluson of the clan Lumban Toruan and Ama Ni Pangurati, both in Lobu Sonak.
Divination: pormanuhon (manuk di ampang)
Physical Description1 itemTwo wooden covers, one with two holes in which a strip of red cotton is fastened as a carrying-string. Some folds broken and sewn. Drawings black and red. Northern ta.11.4 x 10.4 cm.
Pustaha. Chain of transmission: Datu Tala Di Babana is mentioned as the origin of the pormanuhon. Further: Guru Humulan Ni Aji of the clan Sitorus - Guru Sabungan Ni Aji of the clan Manurung in Sihubak-hubak - Guru Tahal (onee: Sahala) Ni Aji of the clan Manik Matondang.
Different texts on the two sides of the bark. It is impossible to say which was written first. One side divination: rambu siporhas and some shorter texts; on the other side: manuk di ampang.
Physical Description1 itemTwo modern wooden covers, painted black. Drawings black and red. Northern ta24.7 x 14.5-15 cm.
Pustaha. Chain of transmission: Missing, because the first part is lost. Written by Guru Tuhason anak na di Ambaton in Porbaba (North Samosir) for Medang ni adji, whose pupil was Tijap ni adji.
Two texts: panampuh i (the lemon oracle, not mentioned in the selective subject index) pp. a 1-24, b 10-1;promanuhon pp. b 25-10
Physical Description1 itemMany leaves lost at the beginning. Two wooden covers, one old with carved decoration, one modern. Only the old cover has holes for a carrying string, which is lost. Drawings of pormanuhon black and red, of panampuhi black only. Northern ta.12 cm.