On end of March 2014, I have a chances to makes journey back to my ancestor land. My family name came from this ethnic, it call BATAK TOBA. Well it was long story from the first BATAK King (which the story it was dropped from Heaven by God himself), and then he had some sons and then goes to grandsons and so on. So in my family name I was number 15 from my family name great grand father (the first name) and from Batak King, I am about number 19 offsprings (Batak King or Raja Batak - Guru Tatea Bulan - Saribu Raja - Raja Lontung - Raja Simatupang) . Well, that my family written record says.
My ancestor land is very unique. It has a lake that formed from a very huge archaeological volcano blasts, which the dust was spread all over the earth. And this big volcano cave became a lake. And you know, the lake has an island called Samosir island, and you know what, in Samosir island has a little lake in it. What a great view.
Toba lake is in Sumatera Island of Indonesia, it is in the North Sumatera. Which the main capitol city is Medan. So the journey start from Kualanamo airport Medan, circling the land to Toba lake, cross the lake to Samosir island thru the only bridge that connect it, then cross the lake to the other side of mainland use the big ferry boat (carry us and the cars), then goes back to Medan, and back to Jakarta where we came from.
On the way circling the land, we visit some places which also tourist attractive at my ancestor land, we also visit the heart of Samosir island, goes to the museum. And this means tons of photos, please be patient when I will update one by one the photos and a little stories behind it. Well, as always...let the photos says.......
First Stop : Sipiso-piso Waterfall.
One of the big waterfalls in Indonesia is "Sipiso-piso". Located in North Sumatra, in Karo District. Located at 800 above sea level, the height of the waterfall is probably above 100 meters. Sipiso-piso taken from the word "pisau" in bahasa, which means knife. Because of this waterfall like a sharp knife. To reach the end of waterfall or the river down there, has provided a path that stair-stepped down this canyon. Although very tiring to go down and later back, but the experience is worth having. Indonesia just great to visit.
Second Stop : Taman Simalem Resort.
Taman Simalem Resort is one of new attractive sight seeing in North Sumatera. It has background view of Toba Lake. This located at Sidikalang district, at the hill of Merek Mountain. It was a join venture with Singapore company to build an agriculture park. Here you can enjoy many fruits plantation, you can even take the fruits direct from the tree and eat there. And sure, you can bring home some with buying the fruits. This resort also have many restaurant, gathering/meeting room, and hotels. Well the park also have flowers plantation and games for kids.
Third Stop : Monument T.B. Simatupang.
Oh my dear, I just know that there are monument which use my family name. It just great, real ancestor comes up. Yes indeed, T.B. Simatupang is one of the famous person from my ethnic, people say, he is the first successful person in Indonesia that came from Toba lake regions. He is Lieutenant General of Indonesia army, but then become a preacher/theologian and writes some books. He is well known in developing his people. And sure he is one of Indonesia heroes. And I am proud that I came from the same family name. This beautiful place have it own beautiful scenes. Hahahaaaa...
the smokes from Riau forest burn just too much that difficult to get the view, so we edit to BW
Fourth Stop : Taman Wisata Iman
Taman Wisata Iman is a huge park that contain all religious building. It was beautiful but today it was not tending well, so the condition is not as beautiful as before. But for Christian religious stories, it has 14 stops of Via Delarosa, which is taken from the story in the Bible. If you follow the 14 stops, it is the same that you hiking up the mountain, for this place is in the mountain. Around the park is forest. At the end of the 14 stops, there are three cross picturing Christ crucifixion.
Fifth Stop : BPK - Babi Panggang Karo (Pig Roast Karo)
Another interesting and a must to enjoy is BPK or Babi Panggang Karo. We can also see how it was cook. But unfortunately, I have search all my file, I found none of the food photos. Hahahaha... I remember that we are so hungry without breakfast and it was late for lunch, and we don't think anymore to take photos, we just eat all right away... i recall to have double or triple plates...hahaha
Guess what is this? Hahahaha...
Sixth Stop : Tele Tower
This is the highest or peak area from North Sumatera mainland that you can see whole Toba Lake. The road here is so crazy up down sharp turn, you can see in the mirror, anyway I don't think bus can pass here, road down is crazier, so be careful while driving. But the scenes are outstanding!
Seventh Stop : Down hill the Pangururan road to Samosir Island
We are really enjoy our trip, we are not in hurry (really?), we stops every spot that interesting for taking photos.
Eighth Stop : Bridge of Mainland to Samosir Island
This 20 meter bridge connecting the mainland of Sumatera with Samosir Island in Toba Lake, this connect Sidikalang region with Samosir region.
Ninth Stop : Lake above Lake, Sidihoni Lake.
Sidihoni lake is the lake at Samosir Island, while Samosir Island itself located in Toba Lake. So we are so amaze with this phenomena that there are lake above lake here. The view to the location itself so beautiful.
Tenth Stop : Catholic Church at Toba and Durian madness.
There are a Catholic Church which full of Batak craft style, even the building also using traditional house of Batak. Some says the roof were put by helicopter :p the church called Gereja Katolik Inkulturatif St. Mikael, Paroki Pangururan. And when we leave the area, we met famous incredible smell of fruits, which is called durian. And then the madness begin, it was a half full mini truck of durian...hahaha. And then end in our hotel tonight by the Toba lake shore. So sweet....!
Girls next door.. hahaha
Eleventh Stop : Breakfast at Bamboo Bar & Restaurant
Well, it just a little unique and cozy restaurant with feeling of reggae, the food really delicious and the view just right to the Toba Lake. Interior is nice for taking photos.
Have fun...hahaha
Yellow Vespa here..hahaha
Twelfth Stop : Museum Batak Hutabolon Simanindo
Oh this is just great, when we visit this place, one thing for sure, to learn the tradition. And what makes this is great? Besides visiting the museum and the stuffs, we also have a chances to see the tradition ceremony of marriage, also we can join the traditional dance of Tor-tor.
Tor-tor is unique, not just a dance but it is also communication. So this dance will not just dance, but have meanings. But for Batak, this dance always meaning of happiness, bless and good luck. And for me, I am so happy that I can Tor-tor here, right in my ancestor land...hahaha
Thirteenth Stop : The Stone Chair of King Siallagan
Next we visit another family heritage of Huta Siallagan, Huta means kampong or village. Long time ago, when the old man have boy, they put the inheritance of land with their son names, for this, the area belong to Siallagan and his descendants.
But each family have their own rules of family, like this one, the Siallagan king builds a chair from the stones. And there are two place of chairs. The one under the tree is for family or kingdom talks, but the other one with a big table, was a group of chairs for court table, here when someone in the family did criminals, depend on the weight, they cut the body part. Dead penalty means cut the head. And we play with the stone which probably carried many souls...hahaha
From here we go circle to Parapat, it is the harbor area, when we going to take ferry to the main land. But in the way there, we need to lunch. And while get some rest after eating our lunch in this small restaurant, a friend of mine with incredible smelling nose, track a smell of Durian fruits, then the madness return...hahahaha.. but indeed this durian is the best I ever taste...it just really really delicious...everyone agree. I remember the old lady that selling it said, it was from Situmorang durian plantation.
Kids of this villages...my kids..hahaha
The young king..hehe
Beautiful Batak girls, tan skin, curly hair, beautiful smile...so cute! ;)
Stones chair under the tree.
Stone chairs for court. The tools of punishing are in the table, there are whip, stick, knife, and sword.
He has no idea how many head laying there soulless...hahaha
I am the executors!!!
Batak music instruments.
Fourteenth Stop : Kings Tomb.
Well, this is very famous tourist attraction, for sure, because the location is near to the ferry harbor. So easily to visit from the mainland. So this place is crowded with many shops. But one thing for sure, right at the middle, there are a place that remains the same and cannot be change or give for business. It was the Kings tomb. This area was known as Sidabutar Kingdom. Why is so famous, because this Batak family name was one of the strongest/powerful king in their time. He defeat all others kingdoms around. Even many comes to be his disciples in martial art and magic. One of his disciple came from Aceh, later become his army general, this man loyal to death to the king.
But the king have one taboo for his power to stay in him, thats he must not cut his hair. Looks like Samson and Delilah story. But this one different, first he never cut his hair until his passed away. Second, he never get the lady he loves, even they loves each other. But after waiting so long, thanks God he marriage some other lady. So there are still descendants of the King until today.
I will try to tell the story here but when you go there, make sure you find the guide man (the one in the photo), he will tell you all the stories and also the philosophy of Batak tribes. I my self just notice some of it, never understand it before...hahahaha
Remember my childhood, with this "Kain Gendong", sleep so good indeed.
The old tombs were very unique, it fully from crafted stone. I was a big stone, craft inside to have hole, and the body lying there, then it close with another big stone. So actually this tomb we see today was already buried about a half in the ground.
Some which is not king but still the family and perhaps generals, were also buried in the stone but after their bones dry, and put together in on big stone coffin.
But soon after the Batak people convert to Christianity (thanks to Nomensen the Germany minister), then the tombs now using a wood and buried in the ground.
This is the King I told you before. It was the second King, he is the most powerful one. His long hair were crafted also in his tomb. Back there, the woman craft in his tomb also. They said the craft were imitating the face of the man.
So this King have a lady of his love of lifetime. The lady is the most pretty lady in the whole countries. And they falling in love. But because this King have so many enemies, then right in time they going to marry, one of his enemies send a magic spells to the lady, and the lady become losing her mind. She get crazy and run away some where far away and never return. Not even one can ever find her. So the King were very sad, losing his love of life. He remains single for many years a head.
But somehow, at last he meet another lady and then marry to this lady. But never been in love such the one that run away. Thats the sad story.
I guess you wonder about the photo above. Well this is very important. I is the philosophy of Batak people.
1st the lizard, it was home lizard. The lizard is everywhere, in the house of poor people until in the house of kings. This philosophy of Batak people, anywhere we are, we should be able to adapt and makes friends. No wonder Batak people were spread all over the world. Some jokes says, if God took the part of earth with His hand, then there should be minimum one Batak people. hahaha..
2nd the breast, not just breast but breasts...hahahaha.. It is not pornography but they have meanings. To Batak people, the status is not with how riches you are, how much money you own, or power you have, but to Batak people, their treasure is their children (both sons and daughters). More children is more higher status. And when carrying their child, they will not carry in the back, but they carry on their head/shoulder, means how proud they are of their children. But thats the meaning of 2 breasts. What the other 2 breasts?
Well, thats the parent way of thinking. They are not just having many children but their goals is to get them all to school. So if you ever heard the stories of successful Batak people, they all will tell you how miserable and hard their parent works to get them to school. Their philosophy, better not to eat any, as long as kids go to school.
And this is very true. I remember when Sinabung mountain were blasting and causing many villages have to relocate to safety area and many of crops fails, some TV were interview the people there, so they were asked what is their request or concerns to government? While many other people in the other parts of Indonesia asking for help like food, clothes, medicals, housing....this Batak parents that were interview asking different...she crying and request to President to think how to get the kids go to school, while the school is broken and close for so long, the crops has fail, the land has gone...they asking President to think how to get their children to school even to collage. AMAZING!!!
I can see my parent think the same, all my parents wants for us to finish our bachelors, no matter how hard they struggle to get our collage payment. I believe it will be automatically turn on when I get to be parent too...hahahaha. :')
Fifteenth Stop : Maimun Palace Medan
Back to the mainland we go for North Sumatera capitol city, Medan. Here the feeling of Malay Region is so thick. Yes, it was one of the biggest sultanate in Malay region, Deli Palace. Now we can enter the palace and enjoy the history museum, but one thing so interesting, you can also wear the Malay dress with very cheap price, and guess what, the drama can begins with photography...hahahaha
Sixteenth Stop : Tjong A Fie mansion.
One of a heritage in Medan is the mansion of Tjong A Fie. This mansion became family museum now. How come this mansion became so famous? Because it is belong to an old richest business man in Medan many years ago. Mr. Tjong A Fie was had many plantation in Sumatera. Even the bank in Medan was donate by him. Now the mansion leave a historical of pass glory. This mansion have some rooms that dedicate to different level. It has 2-3 living rooms for different level of status, kings, president, etc. It is good that we can see all these and guess how rich he is in his time. The good lesson here, richness never last forever, soon or later it will gone and leave as memories, lucky if we have some to be museum.
The family decants - in mid.
Last Stop : Back to Jakarta
Thats all guys, a very close journey to my ancestor land. Not just visiting but also learning about the culture and the beauty. I was so lucky and sure would love to come again. At the end, I am very proud of my family tribes and the island where they come. And I am very grateful that GOD have His way to let me come here. See you next time, God bless.
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