Product Description

Antique Sumatran Besihung 1

Material: Iron
Style: Lampung, Sumatra, Indonesia
Size: Height 9 cm, Length 35 cm, Width 7.5 cm
Order Number: MHSASB1

Filing and blackening of teeth at puberty took place in the Lampung region of South Sumatra. It demonstrated a marriageable age. These besihung collected soot from burned twigs. They are made from forged iron in the shape of a water buffalo, which is also similar to a symmetrical sailing ship. If the besihung is symmetrical, it is a female container and if it is asymmetrical it is a male container.

Blackening teeth stopped at the beginning of the 20th century. It was accompanied by ritual feasting and was associated with the supernatural. The metal container was pointed to the river and was moved downstream during the ceremony.

The ship shape is similar to the ship motifs on Sumatran textiles called tampan and pelapai. These are ceremonial cloths used during rites of passage. The ships symbolise the transitional aspect of the ceremony.

19th – early 20th century

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