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Kalabubu, sometimes spelled Kala bubu, is a
Kalabubu is circular in form with diameter between to . The thickness of the kalabubu differs with the center part wider and then gradually smaller at both ends. The shrinking ends are connected to form either a disk, either of brass or rarely of gold. The internal frame of a kalabubu is made out of an iron or brass wire which is tied at the end. The tying at the end is shaped like a disk. Disk-shaped slices of coconut shell (or sometimes turtle shell) are fitted around the internal brass frame. The disk are cut progressively larger at the front center of the ring, and smaller at the end. The disk slices are then pressed together and then sanded and polished until they have a completely smooth surface. Finally they are dyed black.
The internal brass frame of a kalabubu represents the great golden serpent of Nias mythology.
Kalabubu is associated with tribal warfare and the practice of
Kalabubu, sometimes spelled Kala bubu, is a torc
A torc, also spelled torq or torque, is a large rigid or stiff neck ring in metal, made either as a single piece or from strands twisted together. The great majority are open at the front, although some had hook and ring closures and a few had ...
(stiff circular necklace) worn by warriors of the people of South Nias of North Sumatra
North Sumatra ( id, Sumatra Utara) is a province of Indonesia located on the northern part of the island of Sumatra. Its capital and largest city is Medan. North Sumatra is Indonesia's fourth most populous province after West Java, East Java and ...
, Indonesia
Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It consists of over 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, and parts of Borneo and New Guine ...
. Kalabubu symbolizes triumph in warfare and heroism. Wearing a kalabubu was believed to protect the wearer from harm. Kalabubu is popularly known as the "headhunter's necklace"; historically only those who already decapitated the head of the enemy tribes are allowed to wear the kalabubu.
Form and construction
Kalabubu is circular in form with diameter between to . The thickness of the kalabubu differs with the center part wider and then gradually smaller at both ends. The shrinking ends are connected to form either a disk, either of brass or rarely of gold. The internal frame of a kalabubu is made out of an iron or brass wire which is tied at the end. The tying at the end is shaped like a disk. Disk-shaped slices of coconut shell (or sometimes turtle shell) are fitted around the internal brass frame. The disk are cut progressively larger at the front center of the ring, and smaller at the end. The disk slices are then pressed together and then sanded and polished until they have a completely smooth surface. Finally they are dyed black.
The internal brass frame of a kalabubu represents the great golden serpent of Nias mythology.
Symbol
Kalabubu is associated with tribal warfare and the practice of headhunting
Headhunting is the practice of hunting a human and collecting the severed head after killing the victim, although sometimes more portable body parts (such as ear, nose or scalp) are taken instead as trophies. Headhunting was practiced in hi ...
(''mangai binu''). The kalabubu symbolizes masculinity, triumph in warfare, heroism, and warrior. Historically, only men that have demonstrated prowess in warfare and have decapitated the head of the enemy were allowed to wear the kalabubu. The wearer is usually seen as a kind of warrior hero of the village. The Kalabubu is also worn during the ceremonial war dance. Nowadays, most Nias men wear the kalabubu.
The kalabubu is featured in the seal of the South Nias Regency
Nias Selatan (South Nias) Regency is a regency in North Sumatra province, Indonesia. The regency covers a land area of 2,487.98 square kilometres and according to the 2010 census had a population of 289,708; the 2020 Census showed a population ...
.
Variation
In northern Nias, a necklace known as nifitali-tali is the precious metal variation of the kalabubu. The nifitali-tali were exclusively worn by high ranking men on festive occasions e.g. the owasa feast. Unlike the southern examples, the nifitali-tali is always finished with precious metal such as silver or gold.References
Cited works
* * *See also
{{commonscat, Kalabubu *Nias people
Nias people are an ethnic group native to Nias, an island off the west coast of North Sumatra, Indonesia. In the Nias language, the Nias people are known as Ono Niha, which literally means 'descendants of human'. Nias island is known as ''Tanö N ...
*Omo sebua
The Omo sebua is a traditional house style of the Nias people from Nias island, Indonesia. They are built only for the houses of village's chiefs. Situated in the centre of a village, ''omo sebua'' are built on massive ironwood piles and have towe ...
Folk costumes
Torcs
Necklaces