Group 5:

11A1-15 Graciella
11A1-38 William
Batak Toba Wedding Ceremony

Batak Toba is one of the six sub-ethnic of the Batak ethnic. Batak Toba ethnic origin
comes from North Tapanuli regency of North Sumatra. Batak Toba has various traditions, one
of them is the wedding ceremony tradition. Batak Toba people everywhere know the function
of marriage which is namely as a determinant of rights and obligations in the community
environment in order to continue the lineage. In Batak Toba tradition, same clan marriage is
forbidden. They had to find a different clan that has no relation with their clan. But, there is
one exception. The ideal marriage in Batak Toba tradition is when a young man married the
daughter that had the same clan with his mother's brother, usually the family would be more
supportive for them to get married because it's called pariban. The same thing also happens
when a young women married the son that had the same clan with his father’s sister.
In Batak Toba wedding ceremony, there are 14 steps both the groom and bride have to
follow described as follows:
1. Mangaririt
This is the step where the family would choose who will get to be the wife of their son
from other clan. Typically, this happens if the groom is unable to find the bride for
himself.
2. Mangalehon tanda
In this step, the man and woman will both give signs to each other indicating that they
are a perfect match. The man will usually give a certain amount of money to the woman,
while the woman will hand over the sarong to the man. By that, they get attached to each
other.
3. Marhusip
The man's family will come to the house of the woman while bringing food and fruits to
propose. This was only attended by close relatives. Everything related to the wedding
plans will be discussed.
4. Marhata sinamot
This event is held to discuss the amount of dowry to be given to the bride, where the
traditional ceremony will be held and formal introductions between the groom's parents
and the bride's parents.
5. Pundun saut
The groom’s family will livestock meat to the bride’s family and followed by eating
together. They will aso discuss about berothal and blessing time for the couple.
6. Martumpol
At this step, the bride and groom have entered the engagement stage where they will
commit themselves in front of the church congregation to get married accompanied by
their parents.
7. Martonggo raja
 In the martonggo raja step, both of the family will discuss in more detail about the
wedding ceremony. The two families will also share the tasks to be carried out on the
ceremony.
8. Manjalo pasu-pasu parbagason
On the wedding day there will be a wedding blessing in the church. After the bride and
groom legally become husband and wife in Christian, the two of them will return home
to hold a traditional Batak Toba wedding.
9. Ulaon unjuk
After carrying out the blessing at the church, the wedding couple will also receive a
traditional blessing from the family. At this stage, the bride and groom will receive a
number of ulos accompanied by prayers.
10. Dialap jual
If the wedding party is held at the woman's house, then a procession is carried out in
selling or bringing the bride to the groom's house.
11. Ditaruhon jual
If the party is held at the groom's house then the bride will be allowed to return to her
parents' house. After that, he will be escorted back to his husband's house by his relatives
or namboru. Arriving at the bride's entourage at the groom's house, they will eat together.
12. Paulak une
This procession is carried out after the wedding. That is when the wedding couple will
visit each other's families from both sides.
13. Manjae
After some time living a household life, if the man is not the youngest child then his
house and livelihood will be separated. Because in general it is the youngest child who
inherits his parents' house.
14. Maningkir tangga
After the bride and groom have their own home, the family will visit them. The quiverful
and relatives will come and eat together.
Until now, Batak Toba traditional marriage is one of the most valuable cultural
heritages from the land of Sumatra. The Batak Toba marriage system is still carried out and
followed today both in the village of origin, in overseas areas and in cities. Various praxis
changes have taken place but the essence has been maintained