Pitt Rivers Museum Anthropology and World Archaology

 

Asia

 

Medicine basket

Malaysia

 

Bought for the Sarawak Museum from an elderly, retired manang

Acquired by exchange with the Government Museum, Sarawak in 1903

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Medicine basket, Malaysia

This large medicine basket belonged to an Iban manang, or shaman healer, from the Sarawak region of Borneo. The basket contained a variety of treatments. These included both charms – which were designed to protect the patient from attacks by evil spirits, and also medicines or remedies – which had medicinal qualities. The basket itself has a number of charms and remedies hanging from it, including bear’s teeth charms to make the manang bold when attacking evil spirits.

View database record 1903.41.1 .1