Etched Water Buffalo 
Rib Bone Amulet Pagar
 
The Batak of Northern Sumatra were one of the few canabalistic tribes to have a written script of their own. It is related to the Brahmi of India and ancient Javanese writing systems. It is believed to  be derived from Sanskrit. 
 
The amulet was intended to be hung.
 
One side offers protection in the form of sayings or prayers...
 
The other is inscribed with a porhalaan or calendar.
"Hala" is derived from the Sanskrit word "kala" or scorpion.
It is a lunisolar calendar consisting of twelve months divided into thirty days with an occasional leap month. It is not used for time or date keeping, but by the Datu/Shaman for determining favorable or unfavorable days to hold rituals.
 
Rib measures: 20" x 2"
 
You will receive the item in the photograph.
 
Handcrafted in Sumatra