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Guardian Figure (Pangulubalang)

19th–early 20th century
Not on view
The weathered surface of this Toba Batak image indicates that it was originally erected outdoors, where it may have served as a village guardian figure. In the past, nearly every village had one or more guardian images, generally in the form of a seated or crouching human figure. Believed to protect the community from sickness, malevolent magic, and enemy attack, the figures contained the spirits of captured enemies who had been ritually slain in order to acquire their supernatural power. Both the spirits and the figures were known as pangulubalang. To activate the guardian figure, pukpuk, a magical substance derived from the body of a sacrificed enemy, and other supernaturally powerful compounds were placed in holes carved into its surface. The square hole in the top of the head of this figure likely originally held its enlivening pukpuk or similar substances. Once transferred to the figure, the spirit of the village's former enemy was transformed, becoming a powerful supernatural protector.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Guardian Figure (Pangulubalang)
  • Date: 19th–early 20th century
  • Geography: Indonesia, Sumatra
  • Culture: Toba Batak people
  • Medium: Stone
  • Dimensions: H. 28 × W. 8 1/2 × D. 8 in. (71.1 × 21.6 × 20.3 cm)
  • Classification: Stone-Sculpture
  • Credit Line: Gift of Fred and Rita Richman, 1988
  • Object Number: 1988.143.79
  • Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing

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