2023.28.1

Collection type

Object

Description

Rattan belt for holding two mutya ("belly rocks") and worn around the waist.

Long description

Plaited rattan belt with opening for holding two mutya ("belly rocks") and worn around the waist. A carved wooden peg operates as a fastener when secured to the length of twisted cord attached to the other end of the belt.

Geographical reference

Philippines

Asia > South-eastern Asia > Philippines

Cultural groups

Mangyan

Person

Maker Unknown Maker

Field collector Edward Shearman Ross

PRM source Sandra Miller Ross

PRM source Edward Shearman Ross

Date / Period

Date made: Before 1945

Date collected

1939-1945

Acquisition information

Donated: 12/09/2021

Materials and processes

Material Rattan Fibre Plant, Process Plaited, Material Wood Plant, Process Carved, Material String Plant, Process Twisted

Dimensions

Length: max 390 mm of string, Length: max 160 mm, Width: max 150 mm, Height: max 90 mm

Object numbers

Accession number: 2023.28.1

Research and responses

Edward Shearman Ross PhD was a Commanding Officer and entomologist of an Army Malaria Survey Unit on Mindoro during World War II. He made frequent trips into the mountains and jungle to collect mosquitos, Embioptera and other insects, and make tropical disease surveys. He befriended indigenous Mangyan hunter-gatherer families of Indonesian descent, trading rice, salt, and red cloth, and receiving bows and arrows, baskets, pink bananas, small ornaments, and these Belly Rocks. Belly Rocks are heavy, shiny, round, black stones called mutya. Found swirling in rock holes at the base of waterfalls and in rapids, they must be "caught alive". It takes great skill to catch these stones while they are whirling. The successful person may practice the art of healing, blowing over them through a clenched fist. It is believed a spirit lives in the stones and the person that possesses a stone has the power of that spirit literally in their hands. They are referred to as Belly Rocks because of the protrusion which looks like a belly button. Lucky owners wear their Belly Rocks in a rattan belt around their waist. These particular rocks were likely collected about 100 years ago. Information provided by the donors, Drs Edward and Sandra Ross.

Associated publications

Reference: "Mangyan Memories" in Pacific Discovery: California Academy of Sciences, Volume 21, Number 5., Main author: Edward Shearman Ross, 1968, Page: 181

Search terms: Ornament, Clothing, Medicine, Waist Ornament, Belt, Medical Accessory