MSS Batak 6

Pustaha. Good clear writing and good black drawings, but in some places the MS is worn and difficult to read. The first part of the book (the whole of side a and the beginning of side b) consists of texts on divination in war, especially by rambusiporhas (divination by a double string). Drawings of the strings in various positions are found in the MS. This is followed by astrological divination illustrated with diagrams of the points of the compass; only when these have been consulted successfully should one proceed to the string oracle. There are also drawings of the dragon Pane and of Naga Padoha who carries the earth, depicted as an animal with four feet; this last drawing should be made on the earth where the string oracle is practised. Another drawing, representing an animal and a human figure with its head turned to one side, should be made at the village gate.

On pp. a 44-5 is a poda ni porgajaan with small drawings of eight animals: singa, gorda, gaja, gompul, asu, naga, lombu, tihus. The chain of transmission for this part of the text is: Ompun Saur Malele Datu Gusar Ni Aji, a Haro man—Raja Na Tinggir Ompu Ni Pangedar Si Bungkuk Tamba Sitonggor Paya—his grandson Guru So Apason—his son Datu So Halompoan Ni Aji, whose mother belonged to the clan Pasaribu Huta Gorat— Datu Abar of the clan Saruksuk; he (or his father?) lived in Baringin.

The subject of the second part of the MS is pagar sibalik hontas, protective magic. It is first mentioned on p. b 12, but the chain of transmission is not given until p. b 20: Datu Suru¬ngan Botul—Guru So Hatimbangan Ni Aji— Guru Hatahutan Ni Aji of the clan Tambunan Toba—Guru Satiya Ni Aji—his younger brother Datu Na Geduk Ompu Nimta Raja— his son Ama Si Unggoli Ampara Partinggilan Ni Aji—his son Guru So Halompoan Ni Aji— his brother-in-law Datu Abar Ni Aji.

Copied by Guru So Halompoan.

In 1848 van der Tuuk examined MSS Batak 1-6 and wrote ‘A short account of the Batta manuscripts belonging to the Library of the East India Company', the autograph of which is in IOL; a preliminary draft (with the titles in Batak) is in Leiden Or 3395, pp. 135-40. The translations in the ‘Short account' are, of course, imperfect, given the state of knowledge of Batak at that time. Cf. also Leiden Or 5006 B 3.