| The erection of menhirs and dolmens, etc.,
obviously served the purpose of honouring the living as well as the
dead. Thus chieftains and other important men in the community erected
them as memorials of a consecration ceremony, an investiture, or as
monuments to their own rank and dignity. This event was usually accompanied
by great cat festivities; the person in whose honour the stone was
erected was obliged to distribute precious gifts, and cattle or pigs
were sacrificed. Other ceremonial customs will also have played a
part, head-hunting not excluded. Where stones of this kind were dedicated
to the dead, it was as an outward sign of the connection between the
existing community and its ancestors. When certain ceremonial actions
were performed, it was believed, the spirits of the dead descended
upon the living.
Megaliths are to be found in particular profusion at a site in
the Pasemah country of southern Sumatra. Here, in addition to menhirs,
dolmen, stone cist graves and terrared sanctuaries, there are also
huge stones which have been carved into the shape of human beings
and animals such as buffaloes and elephants. The variety and skill
with which the single figures have been incorporated into the whole
are both surprising and impressive; they are, moreover, valuably
for us since the sculptured figures carry swords, and wear helmets,
necklaces, anklets and bracelets. These megaliths have consequently
been erected at a time when metals were already known. It is especially
noteworthy that some stones arc to be found with figures of men
holding objects on their back- which may-be identified as bronze
kettle-drums. On the basis of the drums it is possible to establish
a date for these statures. Before we pro further into the question
which are suggested by these figures, we have to cast a game at
that cultural movement v.-hereby bronze and iron were introduced
to the indigenous culture of the Indonesians.
|
