Miniature book of magic on bark of the Alim tree Pustaha manuscript. Foldable magic and divination book of the Batak shamans. Surat Batak script on bark of the Alim tree. 19 double-folded sheets on both sides with 76 pages of writing. With some book decoration, ornamental ribbons and mouldings. Approx. 6.5 x 6 cm. Leporello folding with 2 wooden covers (somewhat shabby, bumped, flaky, with shaving marks) with rounded edges. Sumatra, Indonesia, probably early 19th century. ==References== Book curiosity from the Indonesian Sumatra. It is a traditional foldable magic and prophecy book of the Batak shamans (Pustaha) from Sumatra, which was handwritten with black ink on folded bark in the so-called Surat Batak script. The writing basis was the bark of the Alim tree (Aquilaria malaccensis), for the ink soot was mixed with plant juice. Included are usually curative texts, magic incantations, medical recipes, divination rules and astrological calculations of the Datu, the Batak Priest. The remarkably small format indicates a miniature magic book, which was often used by the shamans as travelling pocket guide or personal protective amulet. As usual, the format decreases slightly towards the end. – Falze partly slightly weaker, few open, only one solved (with few overhanging bark shreds, but hardly any text loss), relatively clear traces of usage, as usual slightly more tanned and darkened, overall in good overall condition, format to the end slightly decreasing. Older Pustaha manuscripts, which, like the present one, were used by a magician, are relatively rare compared to the many later copies produced for the tourism market.