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belum
Object Type
belum
Museum number
As1994,05.9
Description
Belum (image of a tew, i.e., malevolent spirit); carved of sago palm pith; crouching male with pointed turban carved with geometric designs, hands touching in front of chest, chest and arms carved with triangles to represent hair, represents the earth (forest) spirit Bu'au Kulum Tugan.
Producer name
Made by:
Tiong bin Nyalay
Production ethnic group
Made by:
Melanau
Production date
1971
Production place
Made in:
Oya district
Excavator/field collector
Field Collection by:
Dr H Stephen Morris
Materials
sago palm pith
Technique
carved
Dimensions
Height:
32 centimetres
Weight:
96 grammes
Width:
9 centimetres
Depth:
6.50 centimetres
Bibliographic references
Clayre 1997 / The Oya Melanau: traditional ritual and belief, with a catalogue of belum carvings
(1.7 (p. 187, pl. 22 p. 268))
Location
Not on display
Subjects
spirit
Acquisition name
Donated by:
Dr George Morris
Acquisition date
1994
Acquisition notes
Collected by Stephen Morris between 1950-1972.
Department
Asia
Registration number
As1994,05.9
Additional IDs
Miscellaneous number:
BNB 41
(belum notebook)