{"product_id":"vintage-batak-medicine-container-poralaan-calendar","title":"VINTAGE BATAK MEDICINE CONTAINER \u0026 PORALAAN CALENDAR","description":"\u003ch1 style=\"text-align: center; color: #cccccc; margin: 0 0 20px;\"\u003eA SYMBOL OF SACRED KNOWLEDGE\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 18px; line-height: 1.6;\"\u003eWhat if a single object could tell you when to heal, what to carry, and who would protect it?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 18px; line-height: 1.6;\"\u003eFor the Batak peoples of Sumatra, containers like this belonged to the \u003cem\u003eDatu\u003c\/em\u003e, the shaman-healers who guarded the community's most valuable knowledge. Inside were medicines, sacred herbs, ritual preparations, and remedies passed down through generations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 18px; line-height: 1.6;\"\u003eThe bamboo body is covered with a \u003cem\u003ePoralaan\u003c\/em\u003e, the traditional Batak calendar. These engraved symbols helped determine the most favorable days for healing, ceremonies, journeys, and important decisions, turning the container into both a vessel and a guide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 18px; line-height: 1.6;\"\u003eAt the top sits its guardian: a \u003cem\u003eDatu\u003c\/em\u003e riding a mythical \u003cem\u003eSinga\u003c\/em\u003e, one of the most powerful protective beings in Batak tradition. More than a decorative stopper, this figure was believed to safeguard the contents within and preserve their spiritual potency.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 18px; line-height: 1.6;\"\u003eThe combination of carved bamboo, sacred symbolism, and ritual purpose makes this a fascinating glimpse into a world where medicine, spirituality, and daily life were deeply connected.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0 0 18px; line-height: 1.6;\"\u003eThe container comes complete on its blackened metal support and with its printed story inside a beautiful envelope. The metal support may develop a subtle natural patina over time, adding to its unique character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 12px 0 18px; line-height: 1.6;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bamboo and carved wood\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sumatra, Indonesia\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mid-20th century\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSubject:\u003c\/strong\u003e Batak medicine container with Poralaan calendar and Datu-Singa guardian finial\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions including the metal support:\u003c\/strong\u003e 39 x 7 x 7 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0; line-height: 1.6;\"\u003eAvailable delivery destinations and shipping options are confirmed at checkout. If your destination is not listed, please contact \u003ca href=\"mailto:info@kirschon.com\"\u003einfo@kirschon.com\u003c\/a\u003e before ordering to check whether delivery is possible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"kirschon","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54534942654793,"sku":"26CABAWO2","price":475.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0023\/8390\/4804\/files\/batak-ritual-container-carved-wood-datu-singa-guardian-figure.jpg?v=1794495062","url":"https:\/\/kirschon.com\/products\/vintage-batak-medicine-container-poralaan-calendar","provider":"Kirschon","version":"1.0","type":"link"}