Belt pouch

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: khm-wmw-tm-library.on.worldcat.org/oclc/1457155265"648. Belt bag - "Purukang" A black bag the size of a plate made of European cloth; the top has a small neck that can be pulled together. On this neck there are two pieces of wood opposite each other which form the closing of the bag. This container is used to hold chewing tobacco, money and all sorts of small things that one needs to have at hand when leaving the house. It is either hung from the belt or fastened around the body with an elegant cord or silver chain. Hanging on one side of it there is a fist-sized box of chased silver, called "salapa".  This holds the ready-to-chew betel balls or simply chewing tobacco. These belt bags are worn on South Celebes by every well-to-do man; they are part of the accessories of the clothes."Translation of: Czurda, F. A. J. (1883). Catalog mit Erklärungen der Etnografischen Privatsammlung des Dr. F. A. J. Czurda in Postelberg (Böhmen). (p. 157). Wien, Wilhelm Braumüller