Description
In general, a pustaha book contains magical formulas, riddles, recipes, and laws. The word "pustaha" comes from the Sanskrit word "pustaka" meaning "book" or "manuscript". Pustaha is made of two wooden covers called lampak and pages made from tree bark called laklak. Usually, the wooden covers are carved with gecko lizards representing the deity Boraspati ni Tano, an earth deity symbolizing wealth and fertility.
The content of a pustaha book can be of three kinds: the art of sustaining life (white magic), the art of destroying life (black magic), and the art of divination. Examples of white magic in a pustaha can include knowledge of making potions to protect the drinker from disease and curses, knowledge that leads to creating magical amulets, recipes for medicinal cures, and charms.
This pustaha was probably made in the 20th-21st centuries.
Dimensions - length 7.5 cm, width 5.5 cm, height 3.5 cm
Note: The object illustrated in this article is part of the author's private collection.