Karo Batak Beaded Betel or Sirih Bag,Sumatra, Indonesia

Betelnut or Sirih Bag of Woven Palm Leaf, Gold Foil and Glass Beads

This fine bag was used in Indonesia, by prominent families of the Batak of northern Sumatra, to carry betel or sirih nut. It comprises a sub-structure of beautifully woven pandanus palm leaves, which has then been covered in gold sheet foil, segments of which are still present and visible. The bag is then covered on both sides with multi-coloured beadwork. The beads, of glass, probably are small trade beads from Eastern Europe. The thin gold foil is visible through the gaps in the beads.

The bag is decorated in red, black and white beads. According to Sibeth (1991) these three colours have immense symbolism for the Batak. They represent the three spheres of the cosmos but also the three supports of the family system (

dalihan na tolu) – the three kinship groups which are which are of enormous importance to each individual. The three colours also were used to decorate many ritual objects and objects used by the magician-priests (guru or datu). When it came to deriving pigments to decorate wood, the red was obtained from red earth (batu hula) which was pounded fine with lime and mixed with resin as a binding medium. Some sources suggest that the blood of killed enemies also was added to this mixture. White was obtained from lime which was mixed with resin, and black was obtained from charcoal which was similarly mixed.

A string handle of a double row of glass beads is attached which also include local seashell beads and a large rectangular brass bead at the top.

A very similar example is illustrated in Richter (2000, p. 226).

The bag is in excellent condition but has a wonderful patina: its age is clearly evident.