Thursday, 17 September 2026
SAMOSIR | INDATANEWS.COM ~ The second day of the Mangase Taon celebration in Bius Salaon, Ronggur Nihuta District, Samosir Regency, North Sumatra, Indonesia, was highlighted by the traditional Batak ritual Mangalahat Horbo on Saturday (April 11, 2026). The sacred ceremony took place at Toguan Salaon Tongatonga and drew significant attention from local residents and visitors.
The ritual, which involves the ceremonial offering of a selected water buffalo, represents gratitude and hope for blessings upon the community. At the center of the ceremonial ground, the buffalo was tied to an ornately decorated wooden post, a symbolic element deeply rooted in Batak cultural tradition.
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Sacred Mangalahat Horbo Ritual in Bius Salaon
The Mangalahat Horbo ceremony was conducted under the guidance of the traditional leader of Bius Salaon, marking a series of sacred rituals including mangakarihiri, panakkok pargocci, manogu lahatan, and mamona ulaon. Each stage reflected profound spiritual values passed down through generations.The pakkarihiri group carefully led the buffalo to the ceremonial site before the ritual concluded with the symbolic "step to the right," a gesture traditionally interpreted as a sign of prosperity, success, and divine blessing.
Read Also:The atmosphere was enriched by the rhythmic sounds of Gondang music and the expressive movements of Tortor dance, performed with the traditional ulos tali-tali, showcasing the enduring cultural identity of the Batak people around Lake Toba.
Gondang and Tortor Preserve Batak Cultural Heritage
Read Also:The ceremonial procession highlighted the strong cultural heritage of the Batak community, where Gondang music and Tortor dance remain essential expressions of identity. The ritual underscored the spiritual depth and communal values that continue to be preserved across generations.
Participants and cultural custodians emphasized that Mangase Taon is not only a ritual event but also a living cultural education platform for younger generations to understand and safeguard Batak traditions.
The Deputy Regent of Samosir, Ariston Tua Sidauruk, attended the event alongside Regional Secretary Marudut Tua Sitinjak and several heads of regional organizations (OPD). He praised the community's strong commitment to preserving local traditions.
Ariston emphasized that events like Mangase Taon are more than ceremonial practices, describing them as moments of unity for society. "This is the time for us to stand together. Such events show how differences can be united and conflicts resolved peacefully," he stated.Assistant II Hotraja Sitanggang also highlighted the importance of Dalihan Natolu values as the foundation of social harmony and encouraged the integration of local wisdom into regional development, including restorative justice approaches.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the cultural organization LAB, Pantas M. Sinaga, welcomed the government's support and stressed the importance of continuous cultural preservation efforts. As a sign of respect, traditional leaders from Bius Salaon, together with LAB, presented a ceremonial ulos to the Deputy Regent during the Mangulosi ritual.Mangase Taon continues to serve not only as a cultural celebration but also as an educational space for younger generations to strengthen their identity and preserve the heritage of Batak culture. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Sri Endang Lasmiaty | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
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