Incense burner

Sabangang

Note: The following text is taken from a 19th-century collection catalog and, in its language and perspective, partially reflects colonial thought patterns. We present the text in its original version to make the collection's history transparent and promote a critical examination of the colonial legacy. Certain terms and formulations may be perceived as problematic today. A 2009 research project concluded that most descriptions are factually correct and still usable; only a few details were found to be inaccurate or incorrect. The results of this project were published in the following collection catalog: https://khm-wmw-tm-library.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1457155265

"174. Incense Burner - "Sabangang".
A large, pot-shaped container, again reminiscent of antique forms and of urns, decorated on the outside with simple relief designs. There are many small openings in the walls of this container through which air can enter. As the name indicates, these containers are used for burning incense. Pieces of glowing charcoal are put into the pot, on top of which pleasant smelling resin is strewn. These large incense burners are usually only used for festive occasions and celebrations, while for daily use smaller incense bowls are used. The burning of incense in the houses of the natives is common in the entire Indian Archipelago. It is not only proscribed for churches, not just connected with these practices, they also like to practice it in their daily life. On South Celebes one burns incense for the house, which stands on piles as high as a man, from below by positioning the incense burners under the woven bamboo floor so that the smoke can enter the house through the many openings in the flooring. In addition there are one or several incense bowls in every room of the house on which there are constantly pieces of glowing charcoal which are bestrewn from time to time with good-smelling resin. In every native's house in the whole Indian Archipelago, the smell of incense permeates everything. All the clothes, equipment and the people themselves are impregnated so that they give off a penetrating smell from already several feet away. Naturally the food which is prepared in the houses is also imbued with this smell of resin. When there is sickness, epidemics, thunderstorms, festivities the whole house is surrounded in a smoke screen, so to speak; and all of this is to drive off the evil spirits and keep them far away. The favourite resin that is used at the moment is benzoin."

Translation of: Czurda, F. A. J. (1883). Catalog mit Erklärungen der Etnografischen Privatsammlung des Dr. F. A. J. Czurda in Postelberg (Böhmen). (p. 43-44). Wien, Wilhelm Braumüller