| Particularly worthy of note are the designs
on the: upper rim of the drum-shell. These represent flat-bottomed
ships and human figures FIG. attired and adorned in the same way as
on the drumhead. One can also identify various objects, stich as oai3,
a shield, a ceremonial axe, and a kettle drum; the animal depicted
is presumably, pig.
This is a so-called 'ship of the dead', which plays a part in 'transition
rites'. The belief that the souls of the departed go to the Lind
of souls by ship is still current among various peoples of the archipelago.
Comparable designs are to be met with even today amongst certain
Dayak tribes in central Borneo; and the Kroe country in south Benkulen,
south Sumatra, is famous for its magnificent textiles on which such
ships are portrayed.
In the bronze age axes and drums were naturally not the only objects
known. Other bronze implements, and in addition jewellery of all
kinds, have also been found. The ornamentation on these objects
has had an enduring influence upon the development of decorative
art, which tip to the present day has remained an important component
part of the Indonesian artistic tradition. |
