Borneo Dayak Iban Tun-Tun ‘Pantu’ Charm

The Dayak Iban Tun Tun ‘Pantu’: Symbolism of Fertility, Dominance, and Spiritual Power

The Dayak Iban Tun Tun ‘Pantu’ is a remarkable cultural artifact from the indigenous Iban people of Borneo. This intricately carved wooden staff is more than just a decorative or functional tool; it holds deep historical, spiritual, and symbolic significance in Iban society. With its distinctive humanoid or monkey-like figure seated in a contemplative posture and a back design resembling a phallic shape, this object embodies the Iban people’s beliefs in fertility, dominance, and ancestral power.

It is important to distinguish between the Tun Tun and the Tun Tun ‘Pantu’. While both are significant in Iban culture, they serve different purposes. The Tun Tun is primarily used for measuring the height of pig traps and functions as a hunting charm. On the other hand, the Tun Tun ‘Pantu’ is a sacred staff used by shamans or village chiefs, placed in longhouses to protect the villagers and invoke spirits during ritual chants.

The Iban people, part of the larger Dayak community, have a rich history of craftsmanship, warfare, and spiritual practices. The Tun Tun ‘Pantu’ was traditionally used in ceremonies, rituals, and as a status symbol. Elders, warriors, and shamans wielded these staffs to mark important events such as headhunting expeditions, agricultural ceremonies, or rites of passage.

At the top of the staff, the carved figure often represents an ancestral spirit, protector, or guardian entity. The seated posture with hands on the chin suggests deep thought, wisdom, or a connection with the supernatural. In Iban culture, such imagery is not just artistic but conveys the idea of seeking guidance from the spirit world.

One of the most striking features of this particular Tun Tun ‘Pantu’ is its back design, which resembles a phallic shape. This design is not coincidental but a deliberate expression of fertility, dominance, and masculinity—important aspects of Iban society. In indigenous Bornean belief systems, fertility is closely tied to the continuation of lineage, agricultural prosperity, and the overall strength of the community. The phallic resemblance signifies virility, power, and the ability to lead and protect. It may have also been used in fertility rituals or as a talisman to invoke blessings from ancestral spirits.

The Tun Tun ‘Pantu’ was often used in spiritual ceremonies conducted by the Iban shamans, known as Lemambang. These rituals involved chanting, invoking spirits, and seeking guidance from the ancestors. The staff served as a conduit between the physical and spiritual realms, reinforcing the connection between the living and the supernatural forces that guided their way of life.

Collected From a local Private collection in the 1980s

H – 53 x 6 x 3.2 cm / 670 g

height with stand – 58 cm

price include custom stand and shipping by DHL worldwide.