Sumatra Archeology - Part I : Barus (2)

in culture •  7 years ago 

Please read Sumatra Archeology - Part I: Barus (1)


Artifact: Tombstone

Site Name: Mahligai Cemetery (Makam Mahligai)

Location: Sihorbo, North Barus, Central Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra 22564

barus2.JPG

barus3.JPG

Comment on this artifact:

As the most famous camphor port of the past, of course Barus has been visited by merchants from different parts of the world, not least from the Middle East.

The merchants from the Middle East or from Islamic countries there not all of them just come to trade and then leave Barus, but among them there are also people who choose to live in Barus. Their presence at Barus, of course, has gradually affected many aspects of socio-cultural life in Barus. In fact, further than that, they have enriched the local arts.

The artistic style that comes from Islamic countries in the Middle East is clearly evident in the decoration of this tombstone. Reliefs on an art sculpture from Egypt as shown by the images captured from Zaki Muhammad Hasan's book, Atlas of decorative arts and Islamic drawings (Published by Bayrut, Lebnan : Dar al-Raid al-'Arabi, 1981), show similarities with the reliefs found on this Barus tombstone.


barus5.JPG

Two marble plates with prominent decoration from Egypt in the 14th century. Museum of Islamic Art in Cairo. Atlas of decorative arts and Islamic drawings by Zaki Muhammad Hasan


This cylindrical tombstone with arabesque decoration can be presumed to be a gravestone for the grave of a religious scholar who may have come from the Arab country to teach Islam there.

However, the art of relief as seen on this tombstone is sufficient to indicate that Barus is also one of the cultural encounters in Sumatra in the past.

barus4.JPG

Authors get paid when people like you upvote their post.
If you enjoyed what you read here, create your account today and start earning FREE STEEM!
Sort Order:  

Very nice article you have there! But do not forget to cite your sources and credit your images when necessary

The content of your post is marvellous and the picture shows historic art. I Like it very much.
Keep sharing

This post has received gratitude of 2.74 % from @appreciator thanks to: @steemcultures.

@appreciator you're welcome, I try to help the @cisah research institute to continue to provide interesting information related to archeology in Sumatra.

It's an encouraging appreciation. The endless thanks to you both.

Very interested article, love Aveh Heritage... Peuselamat sejarah #Aceh

Nice post @cisah


  • English

Helloo @cisah
Me, @writing history #writing history
I see articles and photos on your post, have a historical and cultural value of an area. This post is certainly very interesting to add insight in the field of history.
If you do not mind, I will resteem this post in my account. Thanks.
Date: January, 24, 2018




  • Indonesia

Helloo @cisah
Saya, @menulissejarah #menulissejarah
Saya melihat artikel dan foto pada postingan milikmu, memiliki nilai sejarah dan budaya suatu daerah. Postingan ini tentunya sangat menarik untuk menambah wawasan di bidang ilmu sejarah.
Jika kamu tidak keberatan, saya akan resteem postingan ini di akun saya. Terima kasih.
Tanggal: 24 Januari 2018

Saya pendatang baru.
Semoga kita dapat selalu berbagi di sini.