Gotong (Men's Head Cover) for the Batak Simalungun Ethnicity

Abstract

Writing this article is to reveal the rich meaning of the men’s head cover or gotong for the Simalungun Batak community. The use of gotong or head cover for men and what their meaning and function for millennials today, especially those living in urban areas, have a lack of understanding. Therefore, the author created this article to describe the history of gotong, the types of gotong and what the function and meaning of gotong for the Simalungun Batak ethnicity. This research uses a qualitative approach and descriptive method and uses semiotic theory by Charles Sanders Pierce and data collection is done by observation, interviews and literature study. As for data analysis, it was carried out of using data reduction, translation and drawing conclusions and suggestions. There were found 4 types of gotong namely gotong salalu or gotong parhorja, gotong dihar, gotong porsa and gotong potik/gotong somba. The functions of gotong as a head cover and also as a means of identity. The meaning of using gotong is as a symbol of maturity and being able to become a good leader and be responsible for the house that he leads as well as in community life. Keywords: Ethnic Simalungun, Gotong and Semiotics