The phenomenon of Tugu construction from a socio-cultural perspective and the Batak Toba Kindness system in Simanindo District

Abstract

This research aims to examine the phenomenon of monument construction and analyze it from a sociocultural, religious, and Toba Batak kinship system perspective, even though this activity is contrary to the teachings of the monotheistic religion, which is predominantly adhered to by the Toba Batak people in Simanindo District. The method used in this research was descriptive and qualitative, and informants were selected using purposive sampling. The selected informants were 14 people representing community leaders, traditional leaders, religious leaders, religious leaders, and clan groups who have built and are currently building monuments. An interview guide was used to collect primary data, and in-depth interviews were conducted with informants as well as participation in observations of the monument construction event. Secondary data were collected through a library research. Primary data collected in the form of interview transcripts were tabulated, reduced, presented, verified, analyzed, and concluded. To increase the validity and meaningfulness of research results and minimize subjectivity, researchers carried out cross-analysis, content analysis, and data triangulation. The results of this study show that monument building activities in the life of the Toba Batak tribe are still being carried out because of the strong influence of religion, social culture, kinship systems, cultural missions, and other traditions that require the Toba Batak people to construct monuments, dig up ancestral bones, and rebury ancestral bones into Saompu monuments. The Toba Batak people believe that ancestors who have been buried in the ground (Banua Toru) must be exhumed and reburied in a monument (Banua Ginjang) so that ancestral spirits will reside in heaven and bless their descendants.