ORIGINS BATAK TOBA

Batak

Bataks is a community, one of community or ethnic in North Sumatera.While the term is used to include the Toba, Karo, Pak Pak, Simalungun, Angkola and Mandailing groups. Language and culture almost similar. Around the Lake is main of Batak's ethic, especially Batak Toba.

Language

Indonesia has hundreds of languages throughout the archipelago of 13,000 islands. Indonesian is the national language. People who live around and in Samosir Island has their own language which named Batak language. Most of the people are speaking Indonesian too, as it is an official language used at school and government
Here are some basic words and phrases in Toba Batak and Indonesian, handy for traveling around Lake Toba.

English	Batak	Indonesian
1	Sada	Satu
2	Dua	Dua
3	Tolu	Tiga
4	Opat	Empat
5	Lima	Lima
6	Onom	Enam
7	Pitu	Tujuh
8	Walu	Delapan
9	Sia	Sembilan
10	Sappulu	Sepuluh
11	Sappulu Sada	Sebelas
20	Dua Pullu	Dua Puluh
100	Saratus	Seratus
1.000	Saribu	Seribu
10.000	Sappulu Ribu	Sepuluh Ribu
100.000	Saratus Ribu	Seratus Ribu
1.000.000	Sajuta / Sada Juta	Sejuta / Satu Juta

English	Batak	Indonesian
Cheers	Lissoi
Hello	Horas	Salam
I Am	Ahu / Au	Saya
You Are	Ho / Hamuna	Kamu
We Are	Hami	Kami
Yes	Olo	Iya
No	Daong	Tidak
Why ?	Boasa ?	Kenapa ?
Eat	Mangan	Makan
Just A Moment	Satokkin	Sebentar
Happy	Sonang / Las Roha	Senang / Bahagia
Delicius	Tabo	Lezat / Enak
Sleep	Modom	Tidur
Thank You	Mauliate	Terima Kasih

Sopo (Batak Traditional House)

Amazing and symbolic significance for construction and design. Pillar foundation, paint with three colors black, red and white and the ornament.

Tor Tor & Gondang Tor Tor (Traditional Batak Dance)

play with Gondang (Traditional Batak Music). You can see Tor Tor and Gondang in Batak ceremony.

In Samosir Sigale Gale (Batak dancing with puppet Sigale Gale) play with Gondang. Sigale Gale are Batak Puppet Boy make from wooden and to make it move like dancing Tor Tor follow the music Gondang using string and move depend to puppeter. Tortor Sigale Gale do in Batak ceremony when parent or somebody was dead and not have child (generation). Old time ago the ceremony called as Papurpur Sapata. And now Tor Tor Sigale Gale are dance and music ceremony for say welcome to tourist.
Musical instruments: Flute, Tulila (type of small trumpet), Hasapi (a two-stringed kecapi, small 'cello'), Saga-Saga (a kind of harmonica), Tanggetang (a small ukulele), Ogung (gong) which includes Oloan, Doal and Panggora, one set of percussion instruments (Gordang, Tataganing and Odap), Hombung (pieces of metal tuned differently stored in a chest), Sarune (a reed instrument), etc.

Solu (Small Boat)

Solu is most important transportation for people around of Lake Toba. Solu or canoe is used for fisher. Now Solu is not used for transportation but motor boat.

Ulos & Weaving Ulos

or we can say muffler of Batak, it's weaving, used in ceremony of Batak or using daily. Ulos have three color's black, red and white. Ulos have motif and color is different it have means for using the color's and the motif.

In ceremony of Batak, what kind ceremony ? Prepare Ulos that you using must be befit with the ceremony.Mostly women do weaving, with using traditional weaving equipment.

Carve and Chisel Art Part of Sopo, Solu (Small Boat), ornament and other is sample of wood carve and chisel Art Batak. Carve and chisel art used three color's black, red, white make unique Batak carve and chisel.

Lake Toba

In first time, before Lake Toba exist, Toba area are consist of mountain and valey with small river.In that time live young man and the name is Toba and he work as a fisherman. One day Toba go to the river, for all day fishing but not one fish he get. Desperate cause it sunset and Toba throw his fishhook to the water, he was shock when he does get one fish a big one (Cyprinus carpio). With proudly he bring the fish and wanna go home.

But Toba shock when the fish talk to him said "Don;t bring to your home to eat me, but only keep me in the house in middle of farm, and you come again after three days". Toba surprise to look the fish can talk and doing what the fish said to him.
After three days, he goes to the farm and get in to the house, Toba really shock he show a beautiful lady with long hair not a fish. Surprised Toba ask the lady "Who are you and what are you doing in this house ??", and the lady said "My name is Nauli, Princess of water, sending by God to be human.".And Toba persuade the girl to be his wife. The girl said "I want to be your wife but you must promise. Whatever and what happen to our family in the next, that you will not said that i am a fish and if you broken i will return and back to my first time being a fish". Toba agree that he will keep promised. They have married and live in that house.For daily needed they do farming. And they are happy family. Not for long time they have one child and give the name Samosir.
One day when Samosir bring a lunch to his father at farm, Samosir have accident, he down and the food droped, now the food already dirty. But Samosir collecting all the food back and bring to his father. After arrived, Samosir call his father to get lunch, but he affraid to tell him the he get accident before he go to farm and the food was dirty.
When his father opened, he surprise Samosir bring a dirty food. And he angry to Samosir and said "Cause your are kid from fish, you bring to me dirty food.", Samosir crying that his father angry to him, and he go back his mom and make a report. Nauli crying too when her son Samosir tell to her. Nauli sad to Toba he broken promise, and Nauli hugging her son Samosir and tell him that all is true.
Nauli order Samosir to go to highland, this is consequence if your father Samosir broken his promise, i will return back as a fish. After Samosir already in highland, Nauli pray wishes God bring she return back, and the rain coming make flood in Toba area and it become Lake. Nauli was back to her life as a fish. And the lake become Lake Toba and highland where samosir going become Samosir Island.

Note :
Promise ( Padan : in Batak Language) is important word in this legend. Don't say promise if broken it next time, cause who broken promise can get disaster.

Sigale gale Puppet

Long time ago, one of kingdom in Toba order by a wisdom King. The King have only one son, the name is Manggale. In that era, often happen war between one kingdon and others.
And the King order his son go to battle agains enemy who want wrest our kingdom. In the middle of war, the son of the king was died, the only one son.
The King desperate remember his son, and the king was sick. Looking this situation that the King health become bad, and adviser of kingdom call a healer to give a medicine. Some of healer make opinion the King was longing for his son. The healer make motion to adviser, carve a wood make puppet face same like face Manggale, and the motion really do and carve wooden in forest. When puppet already finish, adviser of kingdom make ritual ceremony to bring the puppet Manggale to castle. The healer make ritual, playing Sordam and call Manggale spirit tobring in to the puppet. The puppet takes from forest with play Sordam and Gondang Sabangunan. The puppet already in catle, the King suddently come better and looks health when he see the puppet like a same with his son face.
This legend become puppet Sigale-gale (Puppet face same like the son of the King, name is Manggale).

Sigale-gale keep in one house in the forest. When the King longing for, so people do ritual to bring puppet Sigale-gale from forest to the castle.

Note :
Sordam dan Gondang Sabangunan playing to wishes blessing from spirit.

Climate & Weather

Located in the tropics, 2 degrees north of equator Samosir has a warm, sunny climate year around. The average temperature is about between 20^o - 30^o C. Cooling trade winds blow constantly.The rainy season, which is between October and February, is usually marked by short, occasional shower mostly at night, and continued sunny weather during the day.

Government

Samosir island situated in the middle of Lake Toba, North Sumatra. This island became as independent region from Toba Samosir since year 2003. The island is about 530 sq km in size, the island is as large as Singapore.Pangururan is the capital of Samosir. It is also home to the government ( the parliament).

The Central Government's jurisdiction covers mostly state affairs (legislation) and includes police, communications, taxation, public health, education, economic control, the establishment of enterprises, labor legislation, money and banking, and foreign currency.
The Island Government is responsible for the island territory affairs; it manages its own territorial affairs The island government is responsible for the infrastructure, harbors, etc.

Water

Are water Samosir Island safe and ready to drink ? No, tap water is not ready and safe to drink, it must boil first, into 100⁰C. Many houses in rural areas do not have water pipe from the Government agency (PD Air Minum). drill a well and pump water (with electrical water pump) into a water tank.
For alternative you can buy Aqua (mineral water) bottled water, in small sizes or in gallons.  
For information visit : DANONE AQUA

Currency

The local currency in Samosir Island is Rp which is abbreviated as Rupiah. Exchange rates may vary slightly at money changers and hotels.Credit cards are not accepted almost everywhere on the island, most of them accept only cash in rupiah. You need to bring cash money in to the island or you convert your money in to rupiah at the hotels or at the money changers in the island. ATM machine can be found in the main land Parapat, if you are already in Tuk Tuk. Samosir Island just take a boat and go to Parapat.

Drug Free Samosir

Are drugs allowed on Samosir Island? No, they are not ! Let there be no mistake about it — unlike in The Netherlands, even possession of the smallest amount of marijuana or other illegal drugs is ruled as a serious offense, and the Indonesian law is very strict about this. Customs officers check thoroughly and your vacation will definitely lead to our local jail.

Cultural

Tips Samosir Island is an Christian island, ninety nine percent of the citizen are christian. Here are some basics guides for going around in Samosir Island as well as in the whole Sumatra, not to offend the locals. When receiving and giving things, including money, always use the right hand, however inconvenient it can be at times. See bottom tip for reason. Use only the right hand for eating. Sumatrans generally use the hand to eat - no knife and fork. Rice is pinched into a ball and then pushed into your mouth with your thumb.
When eating with fingers, clean them in the water bowl provided. Wait until everyone has finished eating before you go to wash your hand. Placing your hands on the hips, even casually, is a sign of arrogance or anger. It is rude to place one's feet in such a way that the soles are facing another person. Take off your shoes when visiting someone's home. If a meal is spontaneously provided, it is impolite to refuse.
When leaving it is polite to thank the wife, even if she has spent all evening in the kitchen. Men touching men and women touching women is commonplace but touching between the sexes is rarely done in public. Burping is normal. Farting is not. Don't throw things to anyone. It is more polite to hand it over, even if it means moving.
Be prepared for squat toilets and no toilet paper! Most up market hotels have westernised toilets but the sewerage system still doesn't handle toilet paper and will generally clog the toilet making a mess. There will be a basket next to the toilet for the paper waste. Yes can get smelly so try the local way - the bucket of water next to the toilet.
The Sumatrans don't use toilet paper and think it uncleanly to just use toilet paper. There will always be a bucket of water with a ladle or a hose for cleaning yourself. The left hand is used for this purposed - therefore rude to pass things with the left hand. No tips on how best to do this. Just have to work it out yourself for best technique.
As a Sumatran man asked me - if someone slapped some shit on your forehead and then offered you some toilet paper to wipe it off or a bucket of water to clean it off which would you use???

Electricity

Electricity is 230 VAC at 50 Hz. You need external adapter if your devices have a different voltages. Mostly electricity outlet in Samosir Island have two round holes, see picture 1. Two Holes Outlet. Some hotel already instal there holes outlet for the alternate, see picture 2. Three holes outlet

You may want to bring a converter or buy locally. Many stores sell those converters. If you plan to bring computer, for example, you have to get a voltage stabilisator or a UPS.

What to Wear

Since temperatures are warm throughout the year, light, casual tropical wear is in order. When spend time out side, protect your self from the sun.
Overly revealing clothes and bathing suits are not appropriate, except on the beach. Even though it’s not common use, nor accepted everywhere, you may see European visitors sunbathing topless.If you plan on hiking in the countryside, wear sturdy shoes and long pants to protect your legs from the cacti and mosquito’s.

Tipping

Giving a tip is something we do to show our appreciation and gratuity for rendered services. We truly hope you will tip well, for this will mean you love your stay on our island!

Driving Laws

Driving takes place on the left-side of the street. You need to be careful when you drive along the road, because people walking (also jaywalking) on the streets or some animals like chicken and buffalo might run across the road too. BE WARE.
If you need some gasoline you wont find any gas station there, just buy the gasoline in the small shop which you can find them almost everywhere.
Most of the people who rent out their vehicle doesn’t have an insurance. Ask your vehicle agency what you should do in case of an accident. Usual procedure is if the vehicle has a damaged you need to pay the reparation, or change the spare parts. This is validly only if you drive the vehicle by your self. But if you are just a passenger, you don’t have responsibility for this kind of case.

Time Zone

Indonesia uses three time zones which are :

1. Waktu Indonesia Bagian Barat (WIB) :
• West Indonesia Time is officially known in Indonesia as Waktu Indonesia Bagian Barat (WIB). Waktu Indonesia Bagian Barat is UTC/GMT +7 hours.
2. Waktu Indonesia Bagian Tengah (WITA) :
• Central Indonesia Time is officially known in Indonesia as Waktu Indonesia Bagian Tengah (WITA) and as you might guess, Tengah means central. Waktu Indonesia Bagian Tengah is UTC/GMT +8 hours.
3. Waktu Indonesia Bagian Timur (WIT) :
• East Indonesia Time is officially known as Waktu Indonesia Bagian Timur (WIT) and in this situation, Timur means east. Waktu Indnosia Bagian Timur is UTC/GMT +9 hours.

So timezone Samosir Island same as Waktu Indonesia Barat (WIB).