Sumba Island

Since our epic Balancing The Universe: Shamanic Amulets, Instruments and Costumes exhibition last fall, we have additional objects to include – healing and power objects and ritual protector figures, that didn’t make it into the show. If you follow our Gallery Blog, no doubt you will see even more of these ancient southeast Asian shaman ritual objects in the future. The pieces below are from tribal Indonesia and are included together in this one post instead of divided by specific island or tribe as in the previous shaman show posts.

Female Magic Figure, Shaman uses this for prayer and to gather healing power to treat people. Kodi village, West Sumba, Indonesia, early to mid 20th c., stone, 14 1/2" x 7" x 6 1/2" without base (16 1/2" with base), — Female Magic Figure

Kodi village, West Sumba, Indonesia, early to mid 20th c., stone, Shaman uses this for prayer and to gather healing power to treat people. 14 1/2″ x 7″ x 6 1/2″ without base (16 1/2″ with base), $850.

Shaman healing object, from near Kodi village, West Sumba Island, Indonesia, mid 20th c., jack fruit wood, 11 1/2" x 6" x 5", — Shaman Healing Figure

(near) Kodi village, West Sumba Island, Indonesia, mid 20th c., jack fruit wood, 11 1/2″ x 6″ x 5″, $400.

Shaman's ritual dance rattle, Indonesia, Borneo, Dayak tribe, early 20th c., Monkey skull, sea shells, bone, ceramic beads, Shaken to scare away evil or harmful spirits, ~ 13" x 5" — Shaman’s Ritual Dance Rattle

Borneo, Indonesia, Dayak tribe, early 20th c., Monkey skull, sea shells, bone, ceramic beads, Shaken to scare away evil or harmful spirits, ~ 13″ x 5″, $550.

Shaman's ritual dance rattle, Indonesia, Borneo, Dayak tribe, early 20th c., Monkey skull, sea shells, metal nail, ceramic beads, glass bead, Shaken to scare away evil or harmful spirits, 12" x 7" — Shaman’s Ritual Dance Rattle

Borneo, Indonesia, Dayak tribe, early 20th c., Monkey skull, sea shells, metal nail, ceramic beads, glass bead, Shaken to scare away evil or harmful spirits, 12″ x 7″, $550.

Shaman Male and Female Figures (pair) Timor Island, Indonesia, used to protect the home and for healing. Early to mid 20th c., stone, cloth, pigment, (male - 7 1/4" x 5 1/4") (female - 7 3/4"x 5"), — Shaman Male and Female (pair) protection and healing figures

Timor Island, Indonesia, Early to mid 20th c., stone, cloth, pigment, used to protect the home and for healing, (male – 7 1/4″ x 5 1/4″) (female – 7 3/4″x 5″), $975. for the pair

Shaman figures used in rituals to make rain, Indonesia, Timor Island, early to mid 20th c., stone, ~ 7" x 5" — Shaman Magic Figures

Timor Island, Indonesia, Early to mid 20th c., stone, Used in rituals to make rain. ~ (left – 6 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ x 4 1/2″), (right – 7″ x 5″ x 4 1/2″, $340. each

Pig Hunting Effigy, a shaman's magic talisman to bring a successful hunt. Lamboya village, West Sumba Island, Indonesia, early to mid 20th c. Sentiki wood root, 8 1/2' x 6" x 21 1/2", — Pig Hunting Effigy

Lamboya village, West Sumba Island, Indonesia, Early to mid 20th c., Sentiki root wood, Shaman empowers the effigy to bring a successful hunt. (male – 7 1/4″ x 5 1/4″), (female – 7 3/4″ x 5″), $380.

Shaman's wooden mortar and anthropomorphic pestle for healing herbs (2 piece set), Besikama village, Timor, Indonesia, mid 20th c., pestle - 12 1/2" x 2 1/2"; mortar - 7 3/4" x 4 1/2" x 4" (set) — Shaman’s mortar and anthropomorphic pestle (set)

Besikama village, Timor, Indonesia, mid 20th c. wood, for healing herbs and substances, pestle – 12 1/2″ x 2 1/2″; mortar – 7 3/4″ x 4 1/2″ x 4″, $650. for the set

Shaman's 3-Faced Figure Holy Water Jar Stopper, Kodi village, Sumba Island, Indonesia, late 19th to early 20th c., ceramic, 14" x 9", — Shaman’s 3-Faced Figure Holy Water Jar Stopper

Kodi village, Sumba Island, Indonesia, late 19th to early 20th c., ceramic, 14″ x 9″, $1200.

Shaman figure - Rare, for healing and divination rituals. Dhoki village, Flores Island, Indonesia, stone, late 19th to early 20th c., This effigy was passed down from father to son. Once a year, it is fed blood to empower it. 14" x 9 1/2" 6 1/2" w/o base (17" with base), — Shaman Figure – Rare

Dhoki village, Flores Island, Indonesia, stone, late 19th to early 20th c., For healing and divination rituals. This effigy was passed down from father to son. Once a year, it is fed blood to empower it. 14″ x 9 1/2″ 6 1/2″ w/o base (17″ with base), $1600.

Shaman's Medicine Jar/Container for healing herbs and substances, with carved seated figure holding a ceramic or wooden vessel. Sumba Indonesia, early 20th c., bamboo, wood, twine, pigment, 23" x 7" — Shaman’s Medicine Jar (see next image for top detail)

Sumba Island, Indonesia, early 20th c., bamboo, wood, twine, pigment, Container for healing herbs and substances, with carved seated figure holding a ceramic or wooden vessel. 23″ x 7″, $390.

Detail of Shaman's Medicine Jar/Container for healing herbs and substances, with carved seated figure holding a ceramic or wooden vessel. Sumba Indonesia, early 20th c., bamboo, wood, twine, pigment, 23" x 7" — Detail (from previous image) of Shaman’s Medicine Jar

Shaman's medicine jar, for healing herbs and substances. Sumba Island, Indonesia, early 20th c. bamboo, wood, twine, 12" x 4 1/2", $ — Shaman’s Medicine Jar

Sumba Island, Indonesia, early 20th c. bamboo, wood, twine, for healing herbs and substances, 12″ x 4 1/2″, $280.

Shaman Figure, Anakalang village, West Sumba Island, Indonesia, used for healing and protection and to predict auspicious dates for rituals, and possibly to find lost items. Early 20th c., stone, pigment, 15 1/4" x 8", — Shaman Figure

Anakalang village, West Sumba Island, Indonesia, Early 20th c., stone, pigment, used for healing and protection and to predict auspicious dates for rituals, and possibly to find lost items. 15 1/4″ x 8″, $1800.

Shaman's Power Object/Healing Wand, Cat, Horse, Dog, Bird, Sumba Island, Indonesia, Early 20th c., wood, 9 1/2" x 2 1/4" x 2" — Shaman’s Power Object/Healing Wand, Cat, Horse, Dog, Bird (see next image for detail)

Sumba Island, Indonesia, Early 20th c., wood, 9 1/2″ x 2 1/4″ x 2″, $160.

Detail of Shaman's Power Object/Healing Wand, Cat, Horse, Dog, Bird, Sumba Island, Indonesia, Early 20th c., wood, 9 1/2" x 2 1/4" x 2" — (detail of previous image) Shaman’s Power Object/Healing Wand, Cat, Horse, Dog, Bird

Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, wood, 13 1/2″ x 1 3/4″ x 8″, $220.

Shaman 3-Legged Animal/Spirit Creature Healing Talisman, Sumba Island, Indonesia, early 20th c., wood, 7 1/2" x 11" x 4 3/4", — Shaman Ritual 3-Legged Animal/Spirit/Creature Healing Talisman

Sumba Island, Indonesia, early 20th c., wood, 7 1/2″ x 11″ x 4 3/4″, $140.

Sumba Island is part of the ‘The Lesser Sunda Islands’ – the long sweeping chain of islands south of Bali that make up the southern part of Indonesia. In the following posts we include items from Sumba, Flores, Timor, Lombok and a few others. There are many similarities in belief systems throughout the Lesser Sundas but the material culture is unique to each island.
Although the people of Sumba are now mostly of Christian or Muslim faith, their ancient Animistic belief system remain a powerful influence in daily life. This is reflected in the art and tools of shaman priests. Shaman are still a fundamental part of society, presiding over new building construction, births, deaths, marriages, mock wars and other cultural rituals and celebrations. Their blessings and protection rituals are essential to the well being of the community and the individual’s physical and spiritual health.
The tribal, hilltop villages which which consist of twelve to twenty to twenty stilt houses, are much the same as they were hundreds of years ago, as are most of the practices of everyday life. Sumba was one of the last islands to come under the control of the Indonesian government in the early 1970s, leaving the old culture mostly intact to this day.

Shaman Charms, West Sumba Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Lamboya village, Early 20th c, Wood, smooth patina from use and age. Healing amulets. 3 ½” x 2” x 2” (container); 1 ¼” x ¾’ x ½” (each figure), $375. — Shaman Charms, West Sumba Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Lamboya village, Early 20th c, Wood

Healing charms used in rituals. The shaman figures and their container have become smooth with a darkened patina from use and age. 3 ½” x 2” x 2” (container); 1 ¼” x ¾’ x ½” (each figure), $375. SOLD

Shaman Effigy, Sumba Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Late 19th c, Stone, pigment, cloth, Used for healing and to protect shaman from ghost spirits, 6 ½” x 5 ½” x 5”, $725. — Shaman Effigy, Sumba Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Late 19th c, Stone, pigment, cloth

Used for healing and to protect shaman from ghost spirits, 6 ½” x 5 ½” x 5”, $725. (see image below of both the above shaman figures together)

additional view of Shaman Effigy and Shaman Charms

Shaman Drum, Sumba Island, Indonesia, Early to mid 20th c, Animal skin stretched over wood, Used by shaman to initiate and maintain a trance state during rituals, 17 ½” x 10 ½’ x 10”, $490. — Shaman Drum, Sumba Island, Indonesia, Early to mid 20th c, Animal skin stretched over wood

Used by shaman to initiate and maintain a trance state during rituals, 17 ½” x 10 ½’ x 10”, SOLD

Hunting Spirit Guide, West Sumba Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Kodi village. Early to mid 20th c. Wood, patinated with use and age. Spirit guide figure to pray to before hunting or fishing. 7” x 6 ½” x 16”, $325. — Hunting Spirit Guide, West Sumba Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Kodi village. Early to mid 20th c. Wood

Spirit guide figure to pray to before hunting or fishing. This piece has a nice patina from age and use. 7” x 6 ½” x 16”, SOLD

Shaman Figure with Alligator, West Sumba Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Kodi tribe, Mid to late 19th c, Wood, Used for protection rituals. 19 ¾” x 4 ¼” x 4”, $750. — Shaman Figure with Alligator, West Sumba Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Kodi tribe, Mid to late 19th c, Wood

Used for protection rituals. 19 ¾” x 4 ¼” x 4”, $750.

Magic Amulet/Talisman Figure, West Sumba Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Anakalang village Mid 20th c, Wood Magic amulet used for healing rituals. Sold — Magic Amulet/Talisman Figure, West Sumba Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Anakalang village, Mid 20th c, Wood

Magic amulet used for healing rituals. SOLD

Shaman Magic Amulet Male Figure, West Sumba, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Anakalang village, Early 20th c, Wood. Used for healing rituals. 7 ¾” x 2 ½” x 5 ¼”, $180. — Shaman Magic Amulet Male Figure, West Sumba, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Anakalang village, Early 20th c, Wood.

Used for healing rituals. 7 ¾” x 2 ½” x 5 ¼”, $180. SOLD

Magic Figure, Woman with Child, West Sumba Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Late 19th c, Stone. Used to heal and protect woman and child. 5 ½” 7” x 3 ¼”, $230. — Magic Figure, Woman with Child, West Sumba Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Late 19th c, Stone

Used to heal and protect woman and child. 5 ½” 7” x 3 ¼”, $230. SOLD

Hanging Effigy and Herb Bowl - set, East Sumba Island, Indonesia, Soru village, Early 20th c, Wood, coconut, fiber string. The effigy hanger gives great healing power to the herbs placed in the coconut bowl suspended below it. The bowl has three bird figure and three carved faces with an amulet head hanging below it. 30” x 6” x 6”, $1200. — Hanging Effigy and Herb Bowl – set, East Sumba Island, Indonesia, Soru village, Early 20th c, Wood

The effigy hanger gives great healing power to the herbs placed in the coconut bowl suspended below it. The bowl has three bird figure and three carved faces with an amulet head hanging below it. 30” x 6” x 6”, $1200.

Shaman Healing Couple Effigy, West Sumba Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Anakalang village Early to mid 20th c, Wood, fiber cloth, patinated with use and age, Used in healing rituals and to fix marriages. Dimensions: (left, male: 5 ¼” x 3 ¼” x 2”); (right, female: 5” x 3” x 2”), $420. sold as a pair — Shaman Healing Couple Effigy, West Sumba Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Anakalang village, Early to mid 20th c, Wood, fiber cloth

Used in healing rituals and to fix marriages. Dimensions: (left, male: 5 ¼” x 3 ¼” x 2”); (right, female: 5” x 3” x 2”), $420. sold as a pair

Healing Amulet/Talisman, Sumba Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Early 19th c, Stone, patinated with use and age. Used in healing rituals. 6 ½” x 2 ½” x 2 ½”, $370. — Healing Amulet/Talisman, Sumba Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Early 19th c, Stone

Patinated with use and age, this figure was used in healing rituals. 6 ½” x 2 ½” x 2 ½”, $370.

Shaman Healing Amulet/Talisman - Cow, Octopus, Monkey, Bird West Sumba Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia Early 20th c, Wood. Used in healing rituals, 10” x 16” x 13”, $600. — Shaman Healing Amulet/Talisman – Cow, Octopus, Monkey, Bird, West Sumba Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Early 20th c, Wood

This is an unusual piece. It is multi-sided and combines several different animals which become recognizable as you turn the piece. This view show a monkey. Its feet are duck-like bird heads. If you flip the piece over, it persents as the head of a cow and of an octopus depending on the angle you view it. Used in healing rituals, 10” x 16” x 13”, $600. (see image below for another angle showing the cow/octopus)

For healing related to childbirth, 5” x 3 ¾” x 4”, SOLD

Shaman Magic Medicine Bottle Stopper, East Sumba Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia Mid 19th c, Wood, patinated with use and age. Talisman figure with child, used empower the healing medicine in the bottle. 3” x 1 ¼” x 1 ¼”, $80. — Shaman Magic Medicine Bottle Stopper, East Sumba Island, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Mid 19th c, Wood

Talisman figure with child, used empower the healing medicine in the bottle. 3” x 1 ¼” x 1 ¼”, $80. SOLD

Used in healing rituals. 35 ½ x 2 ¼” x 1 ½”, $700.

Effigy Mask Trap, East Sumba, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Tana Mabanas village, Late 19th to early 20th c, Coconut, wood, pigment. Hangs in shaman’s house. Gathers and traps black magic. The shaman will then perform a ritual to disperse them and to keep them from returning. 9 ½” x 8” x 10 ¾”, $700. — Effigy Mask Trap, East Sumba, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia, Tana Mabanas village, Late 19th to early 20th c, Coconut, wood, pigment

Hangs in shaman’s house. Gathers and traps black magic. The shaman will then perform a ritual to disperse them and to keep them from returning. 9 ½” x 8” x 10 ¾”, $700. (see below image for side view) SOLD

Sumba Island

Shamanic Talismans, Amulets, Healing and Ritual Power Objects – Tribal Indonesia continued!

Balancing The Universe: Shamanism on Sumba Island, Indonesia