Batak Samosir People (English Version)

BATAK SAMOSIR PEOPLE

by: Wendy Hutahaean

Batak Samosir People or sometimes called Batak Toba par-Samosir is a batak ethnic that live in Kabupaten Samosir of North Sumatra Province, Indonesia. Long time ago, foreign people classify all people who live in North Tapanuli and Central Tapanuli as Batak Toba. However, there are five different batak ethnics that live in those areas which are Batak Toba, Batak Samosir, Batak Silindung, and Batak Sibolga. They have the same cultures and language with some differences because of geographical position and district division for decades. 

Traditional Clothes of Batak Samosir

A. The Land

The areas of Batak Samosir People covered some district (kecamatan) in Kabupaten Samosir, which are:

1. Kec. Harian

2. Kec. Sianjur Mula-mula

3. Kec. Nainggolan

4. Kec. Onan Runggu

5. Kec. Palipi

6. Kec. Pangururan

7. Kec. Ronggur Nihuta

8. Kec. Simanindo

9. Kec. Sitiotio

Kabupaten Samosir

Batak Toba People are related to Batak Samosir, Batak Humbang, Batak Silindung and Batak Sibolga because they were in a same regency of North Tapanuli. Sometimes foreign people classify those five batak ethnics as Batak Tapanuli. Some Batak Toba People has the same ancestor  with Batak Angkola and Batak Mandailing. For example, Nasution in Batak Toba and  Batak Mandailing come from the same ancestor. Siregar in Batak Humbang and Batak Angkola also come from the same ancestor. There are another ancestor similarity among those Batak ethics.

Traditional Dance of Batak Samosir

B. Marga

Batak Samosir People have "marga" that shows the identity of their original ancestor or family. This familiy name is derived from  father lineage (patrilineal) that will be continued to his male descent continiously. Female descent will follow the family name of her husband after mariage. The example of "marga" in Batak Samosir that live (marbona pasogit) in Samosir Island is Samosir who has five sons, Gultom, Sidari, Harianja, Pakpahan and Sitinjak. Those three "marga" occupied Pangururan district in Kabupaten Samosir.

1.    Marga Ambarita

2.    Marga Gultom

3.    Marga Gurning

4.    Marga Harianja

5.    Marga Limbong

6.    Marga Lumbannahor

7.    Marga Lumbanraja

8.    Marga Lumbanpea

9.    Marga Lumbansiantar

10. Marga Lumbantungkup

11. Marga Malau

12. Marga Manik

13. Marga Munte

14. Marga Maringga

15. Marga Manihuruk

16. Marga Nadeak

17. Marga Naibaho

18. Marga Naiborhu

19. Marga Nainggolan

20. Marga Napitupulu

21. Marga Pakpahan

22. Marga Pandiangan

23. Marga Pasaribu

24. Marga Rumahorbo

25. Marga Rumapea

26. Marga Rumasingap

27. Marga Rumasondi

28. Marga Sagala

29. Marga Tamba

30. Marga Turnip

31. Marga Saing

32. Marga Samosir

33. Marga Saragi

34. Marga Siadari

35. Marga 

36. Marga 

37. Marga 

38. Marga 

39. Marga 

40. Marga      

 

Traditional House of Batak Samosir

C. Language

Batak Toba language with Samosir dialect is the language spoken by Batak Samosir people in Kabupaten Samosir. Batak Toba language is also spoken by Batak Toba, Humbang, Silindung, and Sibolga with some different dialect. Batak Toba language is related to Batak Mandailing/ Angkola language that is spoken by Batak Mandailing and Batak Angkola people in the southern Tapanuli. Those two languages basically are similar with some different in dialect because of the separation of the regencies long time ago. Batak Simalungun language is also related to Batak Toba language.

The habbit of roaming all over the world is popular among Batak Samosir People. Because of the habbit, Batak Samosir People is well known everywhere. The term of "Horas", a greetings from Batak Toba, Samosir, Humbang, Silindung, Sibolga, Angkola, Mandailing and Simalungun is popular to greet all Batak people. Batak Samosir people is spreading all over Indonesia and Worldwide.

D. Religion

The religion of Batak mostly Christian that introduced by German Missionarist, IL Nomensen hundred years ago. The biggest Christian church in the world, HKBP (Huria Kristen Batak Protestant) comes from this area. There are only few people of Malim and Parbegu as the traditional Batak religion. Besides that, there are also few number of  Islam from interracial marriage.

Basically, Batak Samosir People live as vegetable farmer and fisherman, especially for people who lives around Toba Lake coast. Nowadays, they also work in different types job such as merchandise,  office jobs, in private and public sector. There are a lot of Batak Samosir People who become successful person in foreign country such as having an important position in government and having a successful business.

Refference:
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