SPIRITUAL CARVING MOTIFS IN INDONESIA

ACEH (ACEH TRIBE) NORTH SUMATERA (BATAK TRIBE)
Aceh carving motifs usually use the form of plans, such as polygon or cosmos. There aren't so many human/animal motifs, as the influence of Islam is so strong in Aceh, which forbids images of animal and human on art. The usual motif in the sub-tribe Toba is tiger, to give protection to its owner and repulse torment. While in sub-tribe Karo, they often create lizard motif.
WEST SUMATERA (MINANGKABAU TRIBE) RIAU (RIAU TRIBE)
The usual motif is called Limpaper, which symbolizes a woman as a moral keeper among the society. Minangkabau tribe maintains matrilineal system, where women rules the family.
The motif is fighting cocks, carved on every steps in front of the house. People from and to the house will step on the motifs, as the sign that Riau people don't like hostility and confrontation.
JAMBI (MALAYA TRIBE, same as in Malaysia) SOUTH SUMATERA (PALEMBANG TRIBE)
The motif forms a triple "A", and a couple of elephant tusks (elephants used to exist in the Sumatera Island). The "A"s stand for Asih (Loving), Asuh (Caring), and Asah (Educating). The motif is lotus which means fidelity and holiness by the influence of Buddha's teachings while the lotus' leaves symbolize 8 ways to the end of the pain in Nirvana.
LAMPUNG (LAMPUNG TRIBE) BENGKULU (MALAYA TRIBE)
Cigar is the carving motif that represents a hood of a bride that creates a form of flying garuda (a hawk, the symbol of Indonesian Republic, found in Hinduism as the bird of Vishnu), while the hood has 9 sides, picturing 9 clans in Lampung. Leave of the Cold, represents a plant that can calm hearts, and fight against bad luck.
JAKARTA (BETAWI TRIBE) WEST JAVA (SUNDA TRIBE)
The carving motifs are usually pictures of flowers and birds, which also decorate clothes or furnitures. The motif is a panorama of Western Java, which has many beautiful hills and valleys.
CENTRAL JAVA (JAVA TRIBE) YOGYAKARTA (JAVA TRIBE)
The motif is called Broken Blade, a modification of Double Knots motif which is used in Aceh. The motif is called Mountain, which is widely used on the puppet's show. Mountain consists of Tree of Life motifs, beasts that symbolize the lust of man, the gate to Sorgaloka (heaven in Javanese belief), two giants, and chakra which symbolizes God (like sun disk in Egyptian myth).
EAST JAVA (JAVA TRIBE) BALI (BALI TRIBE)
Sea Serpent motifs are carved on the two sides of the entrace door at an East Javanese house, which is an influence of Chinese culture. You can see its purpose ... yes, to protect the home.
The carving motif is influenced by Hindu. Ngaben is a ceremony to burn a dead person in Bali, which makes him/her return to the elements ... fire, soil, water (after the burning, the coffin will be thrown to the sea), and air. Before being burnt, a dead person from Brahmana caste (priest caste, the highest) will be put into a Cow-motif coffin. If the dead person came from Kshatriya caste (Knight, the second highest), he/she will be put into a Tiger-motif coffin.
WEST NUSA TENGGARA (SUMBAWA TRIBE) EAST NUSA TENGGARA (FLORES TRIBE)
"Nusa Tenggara" means "South East Isles," but so far I don't know the international name for that. The motif is formed in charm's case. Charm is usually tied to the navel, and decorated with Arabian writing (Islam influence is also strong in this province), or ancient characters. Tree of Skull, based on ancient aninism.
WEST BORNEO (DAYAK TRIBE) CENTRAL BORNEO (DAYAK TRIBE)
War Helmet. In West Borneo, Enggang bird is sacred , therefore the war helmet for the chiefs of warring tribes are formed as Enggang bird, symbolizes Great Deity that protects them during the war. Tree of Life. No further description is found.
SOUTH BORNEO (BANJAR TRIBE) EAST KALIMANTAN (some minor tribes)
Crocodile motifs can be found on lance, shield, cannon, and mandau, a blowpipe weapon. Crocodile is a sacred animal for them. Dragon Dog motif is carved on the roofs, as the ride of God that comes to Earth, and gives blessings to mankind.
NORTH CELEBES (MINAHASA TRIBE) CENTRAL CELEBES (MORI TRIBE)
Tou, form of a man. Tou will change into Tona'as, human that has reached the point of perfection. Flowers and Birds, as you can find in modern quilts. Printed on silk cloth.
SOUTH EAST CELEBES (BUTON TRIBE) SOUTH CELEBES (TORAJA TRIBE)
SugarTray, as this province is famous for its silver carving. The motif is called Torajan Geometry, about 90 variations of carving, carved on the house's wall as the expression of the owner's feeling.
MOLLUCAS (many minor tribes) NEW GUINEA (TOO many tribes :-> )
Wings of an Angel, carved in the boats, as Mollucan people live mainly from fishing, gathering pearl, and other things related to the sea. Mbitoro motif. Mbitoro is Pole of Soul, in a form of a man climbing the pole. The pole is being stood at a funneral ceremony, to release the soul to the other world.

Mario Rustan


TANGKUBAN PARAHU MALIN KUNDANG THE QUEEN IN SOUHERN SEA INDONESIAN GHOSTS MOUNT BROMO JAYABAYA QUEEN SIMA CURSED SWORD, KERIS
LORO JONGGRANG LANDORUNDUN MOUSE DEER AND OTTER'S CHILD WHY DOESN'T A BEAR HAVE A LONG TAIL? BIWAR KILLS A DRAGON FUNERAL CUSTOMS KYAI JEGOD QUEEN AJI BIDARA PUTIH
WANEBAKA, SON OF TUNDE NYI RORO KIDUL NAI MANGGALE POTTALA

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