North Sumatra

Hey guys, in this posting I would like to tell you about North Sumatra and its unique cultures. Here we goo.. 

North Sumatra

North Sumatra is one of Indonesia's last surfing frontiers. The area is about 71.680 km². The province of North Sumatra stretches across the island of Sumatra between the Indian Ocean and the Strait Malacca. It borders Aceh province on the northwest and Riau and West Sumatra provinces in the southeast. The capital of North Sumatra is Medan.

Tourism Site

There are some popular places to visit in North Sumatra such as Istana Maimun, Mesjid Raya Medan, Taman Wisata Sikundur, Museum Perjuangan Bukit Barisan, Museum Daerah Sumatera Utara, Pantai Cermin, Kebun Binatang, The Karo highland, Sipiso-piso Waterfall and Tongging, Nias and Lake Toba. But Lake Toba is the most popular place to visit in North Sumatra, it’s cool and dry mountain climate makes it the perfect place to relax. The Batak Toba and Batak Simalungun people live around Parapat. The Batak people, composed of Batak Toba, Simalungun, Pak-Pak, and Karo, are known for their expression, which is often materialized in lively and sentimental love songs. If every person in Bali can carve, every person in Batak can sing or play the guitar.

Lake Toba

 

Traditional Dances

North Sumatra has some traditional dances, such as Tari Serampang Dua Belas,Tari Tor-tor, Tari Terang Bulan (Karo) Tari Maena (Nias), Tari Pesta Gembira, Tari Karo Lima Serangkai, Tari Kuala Deli Tanjung Katung Medan, Tari Dembas Simenguda Tapanuli, Tari Kemuliaan Man Dibata Karo, Tari Bolo-Bolo Karo, Tari Begu Deleng Sumatera Utara, Tari Ngari-ngari Karo. But Tari Tor Tor is the most popular one. The dance moves of Tari Tor-tor is in rhythm with the music that is played using traditional musical instruments such as Godang, flute, trumpet hobo, and others. According to history, Tari Tor-tor used in rituals associated with spirits.

Tari Tor-tor

Traditional House

Name of the traditional house of North Sumatra is Jabu Bolon. The house is occupied 4-6 family, with a square shape elongated. If you want to enter this home, must go through the odd numbered stairs located at the front of the house and should be lowered because the size of the lower door. Jabu Bolon traditional house included in the category of houses on stilts. The bottom of the stage house is often used as a place to keep animals.

Jabu Bolon Traditional House

Traditional Weapons

There are some traditional weapons in North Sumatra such as Piso Surit, Hujur, Podang, Belati, Piso Gaja Dompak. But the mot popular weapon is Piso Gaja Dompak. Piso Gaja Dompak is the blade is used to cut or stab, tapered shape.

Piso Gaja Dompak

Traditional Costume

Karo is the traditional costume of North Sumatra. Men wear headgear Ulos fabric. In addition, also draped fabric on both shoulders Ulos already wearing a suit and wearing a sarong to his subordinates. And women wear Ulos cloth draped around the body. In addition, also wear gloves to enhance its appearance. Head crown decorated with a kind woman who called headdress and flowers rocking.

Karo Traditional Costume

Traditional Music Instruments

Generally, traditional musical instruments that exist in northern Sumatra province is still preserved and used in various rituals there. But usually rituals still felt strong in the rural than urban. Here’s the traditional musical instruments in North Sumatra such as Panggora, Gendang Sisibah, Doli-doli, Garantung, Gonrang and Hapetan.

North Sumatra Music Instruments