How Bataknese being transformed

In the past our great parents used to appreciate and worship natural things. To some extend this old belief system still exist and blended with traditional or ceremonial events. Bataknese or Batak community was introduced to Christian faith by Germany missionary. One of the well known missionaries is Ludwig Ingwer Nommensen who also happened to be the 'ephorus' or head of the HKBP....(still under construction)

History of Si Raja Batak, the source of Bataknese surename or 'Marga Batak'

In the 12th century Si Raja Batak lived in the village called Sianjur Mula-mula, North Sumatera. Although there is no record to trace his original place and how he came to Sianjur Mula-mula Drs. Richard Sinaga, the author of 'Silsilah Marga Batak' (Geneology of Bataknese) in his research colletion found that most probably he escaped from a kingdom located in the eastern part of lake toba - Google Search(Simalungun)or west part of lake Toba (Barus).

Barus Maps, Weather, and Airports for Barus, Indonesia
is an ancient city which used to be a famous trading center during Sriwijaya kingdom in the 10th century. It was well known through out the world because of its 'kapur barus' (camphor). In 1024 the Indian kingdom Cola attacked Sriwijaya causing more than 1,500 Tamilnadu people dwelled in Barus. An antrophologist from Madras, Prof. Nilankantisari, was able to read the sanskrit carved in the stone and it stated that there was an establishment of trading union initiated to prevent from trading competition in 1088.

In the Indonesia history literature Si Singamangaraja, XII sisingamangaraja - Google Searchone of the heroic Bataknese king, who fighted against colony died in 1907. As he was the 19th generation of his great grand parents it was estimated that Si Raja Batak came to Sianjur Mula-mula about 1242. The count was calculated from the family tree of Bataknese family document which has been inherited in each family.

According to the study of Bataknese history from various literature Marga Batak (Bataknese surename)can be best described and generated from the following family tree.

A legend about Bataknese

Many old generation of Bataknese remember well about the Bataknese legend because it has been told from generation to generation. Until now the story goes to their younger generation regardless their interest and acceptance to the legend. The father of the family feels obliged to keep the legend alive.

According to the Silsilah Marga-marga Batak book, published by Dian Utama in its first edition of 2000 wrote by Drs. Richard Sinaga, it is said that the story of Bataknese originated from 'banua ginjang' or heaven when a 'Manuk-manuk Hulambujati' or hen laid three very big eggs. It was so big that the hen consulted 'Mulajadi Nabolon' or the god on how to lay these eggs.

The god asked the hen just to lay the egg as usual. After laying these three eggs the hen was surprised to see three different creatures instead of three chicks. Again the hen or Manuk-manuk Hulambujati came before the god and asked about these strange phenomenon. The god explained that these creatures were human beings or 'manisia'. The first broken egg came out a man called Tuan Batara Guru, the second one appeared a man called Ompu Tuan Soripada, and the last one was Ompu Tuan Mangalabulan.

Bataknese consistency to tradition

In modern family or community technology and its value often shape the life of the family and community. Usually the way people behave and interact with their modern environment over time become a new life pattern. Their original culture has shifted into which so called modern culture. Not only have they left their family tradition but also they have accepted and believed in modern culture as a suitable way of living.

In the twentieth century or modern day like today (2008)it is quite odd if we still can find family or community remain practicing and holding their old traditional life. A family who is loyal to their great grandparents's culture and belief. Unlike Bataknese, one of the ethnic groups in the Indonesia archipelego,exist and tightly hold their tradition in the modern society. Either they are living in the rural and remote places in their own subvillage in North Sumatera or in metropolis city like Jakarta and Surabaya or many urban cities in Indonesia, they keep their tradition as it is.

If you come accross with Bataknese family and community you will soon be amazed by various exposure of their tradition. You will encounter with colourful ceremony and celebration in every cycle of the family life. Starting from family historic events such as pregnancy, birth, child baptism, faith confirmation, marriage, and death you will notice the Bataknese family and community always prepare their unique celebration and traditional ceremony in these event.