Antique Iban Tun-Tun / Pantu Dayak Fertility Charm Stick

The Borneo Dayak Iban Tuntun, also known as a Pantu, is a traditional house guardian staff used in longhouses to provide spiritual protection and represent ancestral lineage. Intricately carved, this staff embodies the hierarchy, roles, and beliefs of the Iban people.

Description:

• Material: Typically crafted from ironwood (belian), known for its strength and sacred significance.

• Function: Placed in longhouses as a guardian figure, believed to ward off negative spirits and ensure harmony among its inhabitants.

• Carvings & Symbolism:

  1. Top Figure: A headman, distinguished by his iconic hat, symbolizing status, wisdom, and leadership within the community.
  2. Middle Figure: A hunter, depicted with a monkey behind him, representing his connection to nature, survival skills, and role as a provider. A child is positioned between his legs, signifying protection and continuity.
  3. Lower Figure: A woman with a pot on her head representing motherhood, with a child between her legs. A child’s hands cover her private part, symbolizing modesty and fertility.
  4. Final Element: The woman is symbolized by a pot on her head, a traditional sign of nurturing, wisdom, and household responsibilities.

• Cultural Significance:

  • Serves as a spiritual protector of the longhouse, ensuring safety and stability.
  • Represents ancestral guidance, family unity, and the passing of traditions.
  • Used in rituals and ceremonies, strengthening the connection between the living and their ancestors.

• • Carving Details:

    • The stick is finely carved with four notches, adding intricate detail to its craftsmanship.
    • Each tier represents a significant aspect of Iban ancestral beliefs and social structure.
    • Condition: The staff has minor damage, but its artistic and cultural value remains intact. ( view picture and video for details)

This Dayak Iban Tuntun (Pantu) is a powerful representation of leadership, family, and spiritual protection, making it an essential part of Dayak heritage.

From a private collection in Sarawak . Collected in Sibu in the early 1970s from the Iban tribes along of Rejang river,

H – 55 x 2 x 1 cm

Height with stand H – 58 cm / 345 g

Price include custom stand and shipping worldwide by DHL.