Treasures of Indonesia’s cultural heritage: Van der Tuuk’s collection of Batak manuscripts in Leiden University Library

Abstract

A large number of manuscripts in various Batak languages, collected by Herman Neubronner Van der Tuuk during his stay in North Sumatra (1851 until mid- 1857) is kept in Leiden University Library. The contents of the collection reflect not only Van der Tuuk’s own interests, but also the interest of Dutch Bible Society who employed him. His main task was to provide materials for the instruction of Batak languages to protestant Christian missionaries. Therefore, many manuscripts in the collection are connected with Batak religious practices and contain myths and stories with a religious meaning. As Van der Tuuk’s personal interest went far beyond religious matters, he also collected more general information on Batak culture and explanations of local customs that were useful to scholars of literature and of “adat-law” as well as to administrators. Following the death of the few scholars of Batak languages, Van der Tuuk’s collection of Batak manuscript has long been left unattended. This paper discusses the relevance of this unique manuscript collection for researchers in Indonesia and in the world at large. Special attention is paid to manuscripts in the presently endangered Dairi language