Sumatra : Lampung, Nature Reserves

Lampung, Nature Reserves, Mining, Plantaions, Golf and tribes

lampung , sumatra , mining, natural resources, plantations, nature reserves, tribes, bandar lampung,

Golf Courses

Padang Golf Sukarme
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Padang Golf Sukarme
Address :
Padang Golf Sukarme
Lampung, South Sumatra
Telephone (0721) 745 79
Website N/A
Email N/A
Holes 18
Length N/A
Par 72
Visitors Open all year round.
Max Hand. Men/Women: 36
Green Fees
N/A
Facilities N/A

South Sumatra 3

Pendopo Golf Club
Address :
Pendopo Golf Club
Komp. Pertamina Pendopo Jl. Plaju No 38, Muara Enim, Palembang, South Sumatera
Telephone 62-713-390448
Fax 62-713-390446
Website N/A
Email pdgc-golf@pertamina-dohsbs.com
Holes 18
Yardage N/A
Par 71
Green Fees
N/A
Course Designer Ex dari PT. Stanvac Indonesia
1972
Facilities:
Club House, Locker/Shower Rooms, Driving Range.

Perkumpulan Golf Prabumulih
Address :
Perkumpulan Golf Prabumulih (PGP)
Jl. Teratai 119, Komperta Prabumulih, Palembang
South Sumatra
Telephone 62-713-320112 / 62-711-592698
Fax 62-713-320860/3
Website N/A
Email N/A
Holes 18
Yardage 5976
Par 70
Green Fees A
Course Designer N/A
1970
Facilities
. Club House, Coffee Shop, Pro Shop, Locker/Shower Rooms, Golf Clubs for hire, Driving Range.
. Swimming-Pool, Tennis Court.

Lampung-6 Tribes

Lampung, Tribes, lampung api,kaur,lampung nyo, haji, Sungkai

sumatra, lampung, tribe, suku
Komering Tribe 1.509.000 Islam

The majority of the Komering (pronounced KO-mer-ing) people live in the southeastern part of the island of Sumatera. They get their name from the Komering River, upon which so much of their livelihood depends. The Komering consist of two main groups. The Komering Ilir live in Tanjung Lubuk District around the city of Kayu Agung in the regency of Ogan Komering Ilir. The Komering Ulu live in Ogan Komering Ulu Regency in the districts of Cempaka, Buay Madang, Belitang, Simpang, Martapura, and in the municipality of Baturaja. The Komering language has characteristics that are slightly different from the Melayu (Malay) language cluster to which it is related.They are closely related to the neighboring Lampung people groups. The first language of the Komering is called Bahasa Komering, but the national language, Bahasa Indonesia, is taught in the schools.
The main source of livelihood for the Komering is rice farming, using both irrigated and unirrigated methods. In addition to rice, they also raise secondary crops of fruits and vegetables. They usually have a few cattle, goats, chickens, ducks, and also catch fish from the river. In several areas, they mine raw materials such as oil, gold, nickel, diamonds, uranium, and coal. From the forests they harvest timber, resin, and rattan.The majority of Komering houses are located along the Komering River, so the houses are built atop tall wooden stilts to protect against flooding. The houses are made of wood or bamboo with tile or palm leaf roofs and consist of one bedroom and one large family room. In the past, a Kerio (village headman) was responsible for managing and overseeing the growth of the village. A person known as the Kermit functioned as a town herald, spreading the local news to each member as he walked through the village. Kinship is usually patrilineal (tracing descent from the father). While traditional law follows the patrilocal pattern. This means that the wife lives with the husband's family, a tradition that in the Komering language is called ngalaki.Additionally, ngakuk anak marriages are also common. In this pattern, they follow the matrilineal (tracing descent from the mother) system and the husband lives with the wife's family (matrilocal). Male children are considered descendants of the wife, so this pattern is quite common if the wife's family has no male children.
Besides the teachings of Islam, which has a strong influence on their culture, the Komering also have strong beliefs in superstitions and spirits. They often call a dukun (shaman/healer/occultist) to heal the sick or cast out demons. Their effort to balance their Islamic and animistic beliefs can be seen in the proverb: "adat bersendikan syarak dan syarak bersendikan Kitabullah" (Tradition is centered upon canon law and canon law is centered on Qur'an (the Islamic Holy Book).
Abung Tribe 737.000 Islam
The Lampung Abung people originated in the districts of Kayu Agung and Mesuji in Ogan Komering Ilir Regency and now lampung-abungare spread along the northeastern coast of Lampung Province. They are bordered on the north by the Tulang Bawang River, to the west by the border between North Lampung and West Lampung districts, to the south by the Sunda Strait, and to the east by the Jawa (Java) Sea.Although often identified as a single "Lampung people," the Lampung cluster of peoples consists of three main people groups: Abung, Peminggir, and Pubian. The Lampung Abung people are known as mountain dwellers and have a unique history as headhunters. Their language of Abung is a branch of the Melayu (Malay) language cluster and is similar to the Melayu Riau language.
The majority of Lampung Abung make their living as rice farmers. After they harvest the rice, the best fields are then used to plant pepper (ladar). These small pepper plantations are productive for 20-25 years. Pepper crops are usually sold and the money is used for a big and expensive ritual celebration known as pesta pepadon, to mark the beginning of the rice-planting season. The other important source of livelihood for the Lampung Abung is fishing, especially in the swampy areas near Tulang Bawang where rice farming is nearly impossible.The Lampung Abung live in traditional communities known as tiuh, in which each clan has its own permanent house. Typically, these clan houses have only a few older members of the clan living in them while the younger adults with children live in seasonal settlements known as umbulan. Usually, ten clans are grouped into one village. The leader of each clan is known as the penyimbang (advisor). This position is inherited, being passed down to the eldest male child. The Lampung Abung families are grouped according to the patrilineal (tracing descent from the father) system. After the wedding, the newlywed couple lives near the man's family. Polygamy is allowed, but is only practiced by the rich. Marriage between immediate family members as well as cousins is forbidden. According to tradition, divorce is not allowed. However, if a wife leaves her husband, the husband's family must pay a fine to the community elders.
Currently, every Lampung Abung is theoretically a Muslim, as is every other Lampung person. The influence of Islam can be seen in everyday life. Religious themes with an element of Melayu culture can be seen in a growing number of art objects. One of the art forms is called tari tigel. This ancient war dance is accompanied by the ritual sacrifice of a water buffalo to be eaten at a big celebration. Besides the teachings of Islam, the Lampung Abung also have strong beliefs in superstitions and spirits. They often call a dukun (shaman/healer/occultist) to heal the sick or cast out demons
Krui Tribe 32.000 Islam
The Lampung Krui (or Kroe) are a small sub-group who are closely related to the Komering, a larger people group in the Lampung cluster. The Lampung Krui and Komering are sometimes considered as one group called the Njo people. Most of the Lampung Krui live in and around the towns of Krui, Sanggi, and Kotajawa on the southwest coast of Sumatera, the world's fifth largest island.Sumatera is an island rich in natural resources, such as minerals, oil, and forest products. However, most of the land consists of thick forests, swamps, and volcanic mountains with many obstacles for transportation and communication.
The land where the Lampung Krui live is flat and swampy. This type of land is very suitable for rice farming. Most of the Lampung Krui earn a living as farmers and small traders. Their crops are mainly sold at local markets or shops. Their lives are difficult and their incomes are low. Many children are forced to drop out of school to help supplement the family income.Lampung Krui houses usually consist of two main rooms. The first room serves as a bedroom while the second, which is larger, is used as a place to receive guests or for family gatherings. The walls and floor are constructed of wood and bamboo. The roof is clay tile or woven palm leaves.The father is the head of the family and may have more than one wife. Nevertheless, seldom does a man have more than one wife due to economic obligations. It is the wife's responsibility to manage the home and the children. In addition, Lampung Krui women also work in the rice fields.
The overwhelming majority of Lampung Krui embrace Islam, which has a tremendous influence on their culture. Followers of Islam believe they will be judged on their knowledge of the Qu'ran, their sacred book, as well as what they did with their lives. Some are devoutly religious people who say their prayers five times daily. Besides the teachings of Islam and its strong influence on their culture, the Krui also have strong beliefs and accompanying practices concerning the powers of spirits. These beliefs influence various facets of their lives. Some believe whistling in a house at night can invite evil spirits. Also, there is the belief that traveling on your birthday is bad luck. Many Lampung Krui wear amulets with verses from the Qur'an (Islamic Holy Book) written on them. Belief in the powers of dukun (shaman/healer/occultist) is still very strong. The dukun is usually called to heal the sick or cast out evil spirits. Because of their fear of evil spirits, the Lampung Krui try to live good lives so as to be careful not to become the targets for the anger of the evil spirits.
Peminggir Tribe 632.000 Islam
The Lampung Peminggir (coastal Lampung) live in the province of Lampung, the southernmost province on the island of Lampung-PeminggirSumatera. The people groups in the Lampung cluster can be classified according to geography, language, or culture. The three geographical groupings are the Abung, who are mountain dwellers, the Pubian, who live in the eastern part of the province, and the Peminggir, who live along the southern coast. The Lampung Peminggir people are divided into four sub-goups, namely the: 1) Peminggir Melinting Rajabasa in the area of Labuhan Meringgai and around Rajabasa Kalianda; 2) Peminggir Teluk in the area of Telukbetung; 3) Peminggir Skala Brak in the area of Liwa, Kenali, Pesisir Tengah, Pesisir Utara, and Pesisir Selatan; and 4) Peminggir Semangka in the area of Cukuh Balak, Talangpadang, Kotaagung, and Wonosobo.
The Lampung Peminggir are farmers growing labor-intensive crops such as pepper, chocolate, and durian ("stinky" fruit with a thick, spiky shell). The Lampung Peminggir settlement patterns vary from crowded villages to widely spread out villages. Each village has a papanca, which is a place to rest or meditate that may be used by all the people.The Lampung Peminggir have two systems of community organization, namely the Pepadun and the Saibatin. In the Saibatin system, the leader is called the Penyimbang Sebatin, and he is given the honorary title of Batin (King). Other members of this system are called the children of the Sebatin. In the Pepadun, several families from one ancestor live in one village, called a tiyuh, anek, or pekon. The village leader (Penyimbang Tiyuh) also serves as the leader of their traditional law and customs. Several villages may join together to form one larger group (buay or kabuayan). This larger group lives in an area known as a marga, mergo, or mego. Their leader is called the Penyimbang Marga. One of their key principles is that of Pi-il Pesenggiri, which means "guarding one's dignity above all else." They usually live a simple life, yet they love to receive honor or praise. They typically do not hesitate to spend huge sums on ritual celebrations. The Lampung Peminggir use honorific titles known as juluk. Upon marriage, men receive a title known as Adok and for women it is Inai.
As a result of Islamic traders from the Middle East, Islam made its way into Sumatera by the end of the thirteenth century. Islamic influence weakened the culture, and local chiefs eventually lost their titles and power. The Lampung Peminggir are followers of Sunni Shafi'i Islam, which they consider stricter Islam than the Maliki, Ambali, and Hanafi subgroups of Sunni Islam. Even so, there are still those who believe that the power obtained at several graveyards is sacred, like the sacred well of Pitu. They also often place symbols, such as the cross with betel-nut chalk above the door, window, or other entrances to the house. They believe that this symbol can ward off evil spirits such as the kuntilanak, especially when there is a woman advanced in her pregnancy in the home.
Pubian Tribe 526.000 Islam
The term Lampung is often applied to all those living in the Lampung province. However, there are actually several people groups, each with their own history and culture. The three main groups are the Abung, Peminggir, and Pubian.The Lampung Pubian live in the regency of Central Lampung. Their villages are scattered throughout the lowlands to the east. For centuries they were forced to avoid the Abung people, who forbade them to cross the border between them. Now the Lampung Pubian have assimilated with the original inhabitants and live in a small area within the Central Lampung district.The daily language is Pubian, a dialect very similar to the Pesisir dialect. During the past twenty years, the Indonesian government has forcibly relocated three million Jawa people to the area, and as a result of these changes, the indigenous peoples of this area are experiencing much bitterness and unrest.
Lampung Pubian villages are permanent settlements following a traditional community pattern. Every clan has a permanent house, but the clan house typically houses only a few of the clan elders. Most of the working adults and children live in seasonal housing settlements (umbulan). Wood houses on stilts that encircle one administrative building, known as a sesat, characterize Lampung Pubian villages. The sesat usually is a building with one large room, which is partitioned into several small sections for members of various groups. A single village can be inhabited by up to 3,000 inhabitants, with about 100 clan houses. In addition, each village has a house used specifically for traditional ceremonies. The entire community participates in carrying out traditional ceremonies.In an area ruled by one village, each member of the village may clear new land. The clans own the traditional ceremony house and the cultivated land, including the pepper plantations. Rules concerning ownership are determined according to traditional law. A council of elders, composed of the clan headmen, serves as the court to settle any disputes regarding land ownership. In the interior regions of Lampung, the Lampung Pubian cultivate a type of rice called gogoranca, which grows in dry fields. Usually after one harvest, pepper is planted which provides a good income for them. In addition, the income from the pepper crop enables the Lampung Pubian to hold a traditional celebration known as pepadon. Fishing predominates in the swamp areas. They also raise water buffaloes, cattle, goats, chickens, and ducks.
As a result of contact with Muslim traders, Islam entered Sumatera near the end of the 13th century. The influence of Islam weakened the local culture and one result was that the area headman lost his position and power. At the present time, the majority of Lampung Pubian are strict Sunni Shafi'i Muslims

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Sumatra : Lake Toba and Samosir Island, Map and Info

Lake Toba and Samosir Island, Map and Info

Lake Toba Map, Lake Toba, toba, samosir, batak,ambarita, tomok, siganindo, pangururan, tuk, tuk,

Lake Toba and the Bataks
Danau Toba, with it's mystical island Samosir, forms the heart of the beautifull, usually rough Toba Batak highlands - a giant caldera high in the treeless mountains mountains of northern Sumatera. The lake was formed about 100,000 years ago after a giant eruption. This biggest lake of southeastern Asia measures 100 times 31 km and coveres an area of 1146 sq.km. It's also the deepest lake in the world, it's exact depth still is not known, but is for sure deeper than 450 metres. Oddly enough the lake does not fulfill it's job as irrigational system for the rivers which mouth in it; all the water from the environment flows to the coasts. The thick layer of fragile stone of the Toba explosion has formed a steep border around the lake, which blocked all earlier irrigation. The water surface of the lake is 906 meters above sealevel, but has probably been 150 metres higher. Thousands of years ago the water of the caldera flooded in the southeastern corner and eroded the soft stone layer. The water cut it's way through spectacular ravines with steep sides and over the Siguragura, Harimo and Tangga falls to create the river Asahan. The water level dropped again over the recent history, a good explaination is not found.
The homeland of the Toba Batak, of which Danau Toba forms the centre, consists of five regions: the island Samosir, the Uluan (upstream), a fertile area along the southeastern lake banks between Prapat and Porsea, where the river Asahan mouths in the lake; Habinsaran ('the east'); of the Toba word binsar which means 'sunrise'), a very accidental, mountainous area around the upstream river of Kualu; the Silingung valley in the southwest and the Hombung area west of the lake. Everywhere there is enough water, there are ricefields, broken up by Toba villages with their characteristic houses, churches and graves. The volcanic soils are remarkably fertile and the Toba highlands have been inhabited for centuries.
Berastagi to Prapat
The main road towards Toba from Medan runs through Pematang Sianter and the Simalungun Batak areas. The picturesque small roads over the Karo plateau from Berastagi, close to the northern border of the Toba caldera, does enjoy a bigger popularity of busses and individual travelers. This route is longer, but also much more interesting.
Fourteen km south of Berastagi, is Kabanjahe ('Ginger garden'), the lively district capital in the heart of Tanah Karo, surrounded by rice fields and gardens. Here the highways from the Alas valley in Aceh and the road to Medan merge. 24 km more south the road reached the northern border of the Toba basin near Merek, from here a small road lingers downhill towards the bank, along the spectacular Sipisopiso ('Like a knife') falls. This comes out of a cave at the edge of the plateau and falls for 120 metres into a small, wild river. A viewpoint offers a splendid view over Tongging village at the banks of the river. From Merek, the road runs to Prapatm close to the border of the old caldera, the lake and the bald mountain slopes of Gunung Singgalang (1865 m), just north of the village Seribudolok ('Thousand peeks'). A turn to the left leads to Bangunpurba, in the plantation belt along the eastern coast. Fifteen km ahead is Tinggi Raja with a number of terraces, hot sources and a small but interesting flora.
Back on the road that brings you to Prapat, about 40 km after Seribudolok, a road on the right. This road lingers down towards Haranggaol at the lake, a picturesque marketplaces which is known for it's garlick. On Mondays and Thursdays there is a ferry to Samosir and there are hotels, canoe's and speedboats with fishing equipment.
This is the area of the Simalungun Batak with the nice village of Pematang Purba (eight km past Seribuluk), once the residence of the ruler of Simalungun. The wooden palace was built around 1810 in the style of a traditional adat house. It has been restaurated and repainted in the traditional colors red, black and white, and is now in use as a museum. However the earth and bamboo walls have disappeared, the old entrance tunnel can still be zeen. The raja and his twelve wifes lived in the main building; the dark furniture gives a good picture of the royal power. From here an old path leads to the lake. With a guide, you can also visit the closeby Marjanji tea plantation. Five km past Pematang Purba, near Tigarunggu, a turn leads to Prapar over a bad but picturesque road This follows the forested ridge and offers a view over the lake. At a small crossing in Simarjarunjung is a restaurant with a magnificent view.
Near Sipintuangin, three kilometres ahead, a turn leads to Tigaras, a market place at the lake as well, and also a connection to the ferry to Samosir. The main road takes you to Huta, to reunite with the road towards Pematang Sianter to Prapat.
Prapat
Prapat stretches over a small rocky peninsula on Danau Toba, and expanded towards the south against Ajibata village. Before the war is already was a popular tourist destination, but in the recent years new hotels were built rapidly.
The old Prapat Hotel, which views over the harbor, was known in the entire Dutch Indies in the time of the colonial time. The first President of Indonesia, Soekarno, was kept prisoner for a few months in Prapat, together with Haji Agus Salim and Soetan Sjahrir.
You can play tennis, waterski, rowing and explore the lake with a speedboat. The climate is very flat: many flowers have colors year-round. Shops sell Batak fabrics, woodcarvings, ceramics and much more. Real searchers can sometimes even find a real piece of antique around here. Too bad the sellers are kind of pushy. The local market offers a variety of fruit and vegetables. The local mango, which is known as kueini, has an interesting taste but does not taste as good as the harum manis of Eastern Jawa. In the immediate environment of Prapat some geological formations can be found. A little more south, in the valley of the Naborsahon, some beautiful terraces show that the level of the lake used to be much higher.
Samosir
Samosir, the giant, dry "Island of the Dead" in the middle of Danau Toba is a grim reminder of a second powerful eruption, about 30,000 years ago. In that time, a secondary peak formed, which split later, and came back down again. The eastern part now forms the peninsula of Prapat and the shores until Porsea, and the western border of Samosir. The island measures 45 by 20 km, and originally was a peninsula. It only became a peninsula after the Dutch arrived and dug a canal across the small piece of land of 200 metres in 1906. This action seemed to have a lot to do among the local population, because they thought the island would slip away towards the middle of the lake and simply disappear.
The eastern coast of the island rises steeply from a small bank towards a central plateau with an altitude of 780 meters. This gradually descends towards the southern and western coast of the island and is scattered with small villages which dangerously lean against the rock, and cross ravines.
Try to be awake when the bus arrives in Bonjol. This city is named after Imam Bonjol, the famous islamic leader of the Paderi-wars. His statue, high on a horse and waving fierce with it's sable, decorates the city (on the right). A monument just past Bonjol marks the equator.
Now the road ascends towards Lubuksikaping to descend there towards a long river valley with on the right side sawah's. The road lingers downhill towards Muara Sipongi and Hutanopan. Steep descends belong to the past, however there are many cliffs covered in forests. Ricefields covered with small houses, and bridges over the river mark the transition to Northern Sumatera.
Northern Sumatera
From Muara Sipongi the road follows the river Gadis until past Hutanopan. The village of Purda Baru has the biggest pesantren (islamic boarding school) of Indonesia, with students from all over the country. Hundreds of small huts give home to boys from six to twelve years, which spend their elementary school-time here. The people in this area belong to the Mandailing Batak, which changed to islam about 150 years ago.
Panyabungan is a crowded market place which has much activity on Mondays, the market days. Remarkable becaks and the motorized becak mesin give some extra color to the colorfull marketplace and also add multiple decibels of noise. After Panyabungang the roads runs across ricefields with white mosques. Passing brick factories this continues until Padangsidempuan, which is reached in the evening. Otherwise get on another bus for the one and a hour drive to Sibolga.
Outside some very strange curves the next stage, to Prapat and Danau Toba, takes about five hours, and is fairly hard. The route to Tarutung takes about three hours, and leads along markets and deforested hills with in some places a pine tree. After about one hours the pass at the bottom of Gunung Sibualbuali (with a big hotel) the border betwen the Islamic and the Christian Batak, and mosques are gradualy replaced by churches. From here it's half an hour on a straight road to the crowded market place of Siborongborong.
A little further the curvy descend towards Danau Toba starts, alon spectacular rice fields and impressive graves with statues ofmen with big eyes on horses, and elderly clothed in adat-clothes. On top of some traditional graves are houses, one almost big enough to live in. The enormous grave on the right, just a little from the road past Balige, is from the Batak king of Raja Tano. Next the road lingers through the hills around the lake, to recover again near Prapat.
The journey from Prapat to Medan takes about four to five hours, with just after Prapat a tremendous view over Danau Toba. After that, a meandering descend through the mountains follows, which end almost in the sea. Wealthy ricefields and rubber- and oil plantations decorated the nearby scenery. Mosques take their places again.
Sarcophagus
Just a little of the shore, covered up in a bamboo forest under an old waringin tree is the most famous sarcofagus of the Toba. This giang grave monument is made from one stone and dates back until the early 19th century. It belongs to a king of the Sidarbuta clan. A big singa-head is carved out in the front, a mythological creature, half buffalo half elephant. On the saddle-shaped roof is a woman's-figure, probably an paranggiran which is used during sacrificional rituals. It is most likely the wife of the deceased clan leader.
There are also more modern graves and stones, under them the ancestral seats from 1950, covered with moss and a modern sarcophagus from 1979. The adat houses are in a row at the other side, the back towards the lake and the very important rice sheds at the front. They are decorated with leave motives, painted in the holy Batak colors black, white and red, and their traditional ijuk (palm fiber) roofs are replaced with corrugated iron.
The small peninsula Tuktuk Ni Asu ('Peninsula of the Dogs'), just north of Tomok does have sand beaches and dozens of hotels with cheap accommodation; a flourishing holiday place and Samosirs answer to Kuta Beach on Bali. On Pulau Pasir of the coast is an old coffin.
Four kilometers north of Tuktuk over a small road is Ambarita, a nice village with old stone walls on which used to be tight pagar or sharp bamboo fences. Inside are seats and modern statues, the work of Siallagan, about 1960. Don't believe all the stories they make up about this village.
About 19 km further north is Simanindo with it's richly decorated house of Raja Sidauruk. It is currently in use as a museum. Visitors can see a traditional tortor-dance and the sigalegale-puppets, also including a lively gondang sabangunan-ensemble. The sigalegale (big wooden puppet) was used for people which died without having children. The images would be used as stay for the spirits of ancestors. The usage of this has only appeared just over a hundred years ago in the Balige-area. The rocky island of Pulau Tao has a shallow bay and a small hotel.
Harangmalau, about two km past Simanindo, is the northeastern point of Samosir. Nearby are Situngkir and Sialangoan, with the remarkable graves of the capital Sihaloho. One of the coffins is decorated with a buffalo-head in relief. The part above the buffalo head with a boraspati ni tano, the holy lizard, and a much used symbol of luck.
A few km ahead, past Parbaba, is Suhisuhi, with an old sarcofagus and a number of modern graves. More south, towards Hutaraja, are five old sarcofagussus from the Simarmata-clam. The one of Raja Ompu Bontor is located in Hutaraja itself. In front of the house of the village head a small statue marks the spot where a young girl was sacrificed when the house was built. Human sacrifices were fairly common in the early times. For this, an innocent victim was killed; it's spirit would change in an allmighty protection spirit.
Another five km ahead is Pangururan, the governmental centre of the subdistrict, with a bridge as connection to the main land. Just over the bridge a small road on the right leads to a popular hot source on the slope op Gunung Pusuk Buhit (1981 m), the holy mountain of all Batak. It is said that the ancestral father, Si Raja Batak, descended here. The main road acsends towards Tele, 900 metres above the lake, with a very nice view over Samosir.
South of Panguruan the road follows the coast until Nainggolan and Sungkean. Just north of Sombolon, near Pansur Duggal (probably the Pancur from Schnitger), are three modernsarcofagussus and a number of old urns. On the slopes above Simbolon is the sarcofagus of Raja Ompu Silo Simbolon with the remarkable statue of a woman with her arms under the singa. Near Huta Godang, close to Nainggolan, is the old sarcofagus of the Parhusip-clan. Sipinggan and Huta Na Bolon also have important sarcofagussus.
South of Tomok
Just south of Tomok, a small road brings you from the coast to the Samosir Plateay (1689 m) , with a nice view over the lake. After that it follows the peak of the plateau due south. The village of Parmonangan houses a copy of the Situmorang-clan house. One side has remarkable woodcarvings: four female breasts and an entire woman with her hands in the air. From here the roads leads towards the south, towards Onan Runggu.
For a change, also watch the coast south of Tomok from a boat. This area is rich of nice small bays with white beaches and picturesque villages. Rows of low stone pillars along the coast near Panjomuran and Pagar Batu indicate the location where once were the boat houses for the giant Situmorang war canoes (solu). With this, the Batak attacked neighboring villages. From Pagar Batu a path leads towards a terrace on the plateau. Once there was a village. Just a number of lesung batu or stone grinders remain. Close to the southeastern tip of the island, near Sitamiang, are decorated concrete graves, in the shape of miniature Toba houses.
From Prapat to Porsea
The Uluan area, south of Prapat, also has fascinating villages and graves. From Prapat, a secundary road crosses Ajibata. It ascends against a slope and offers a nice view over the lake. Small villages with nicely decorated adat houses are from the road in bamboo forests; too bad most 'loose' decorations are looted for trade.
22 km from Prapat is, left of the road, the village of Hutagaol of the Manurung-clam, and some km ahead is the small village of Lumban Simariasonak of the Sitorus-clam, 8 km more south, they house some of the best examples of adat houses in traditional Uluan style, with animistic and human decorations in woodcarvings. Luban Tabu is on the monumental care list.
The area south of here, around Porsea, irrigates Danau Toba in the sixty-meter-wide Asahan river towards the east. The river flows with other smaller rivers from the north (Aek Mandosi) and south (Aek Bolon). Together they form a very fertile plain, covered with flourishing villages. The road which runs through the Asahan valley, turns left about three kilometers before Porsea. One kilometre ahead, at the right side, there is a group of very nice villages, under them Lumban Kuala. Here is a very nice sarcofagus which belongs to Raja Pabalubis of the Manurung clan.
Hydroelectric plant
The road runs towards the Asahan valley in a steep descend. The river cuts through the small ravain with vertical walls of 250 metres high, which are cut out of the soft volcanic stone. Here is the Inalum hydroelectric power plant, the biggest of it's kind in Indonesia, which produced 500 mW power and electrolyzed 225,000 tonnes of aluminum every year. The complex, which was built by the Japanese, was finished in 1975 and cost over 2 billion US dollar. A special permit which is needed to enter the terrain and the roads around it, can be obtained at the office of Inalum.
Past the power station near Siguragura the ravain changes into a small street through the mountains. There the river descends 200 metres over the Sampuran Harimo (Tiger fall) and the Tangga Fall, into the Tangga-valley. Formerly, the southern slopes of this valley could only be reached by a number of small stairs, therefore the valley is named tangga, stairs. The road descends further to the Asahan plantation area along the coast, and adds to the road to Medan near Bandar Pulio.

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Discover Indonesia : People & Culture

People & Culture

Living on more than 17,000 islands, the Indonesian nation today counts some 200 million population comprising more than 200 ethnic groups. After Independence in 1945 inter-marriages among people of different ethnic groups have welded the population into a more cohesive Indonesian nation.

The majority of the population embraces Islam, while in Bali the Hindu religion is predominant. Whereas in areas like the Minahasa in North Sulawesi, the Toraja highlands in South Sulawesi, in the East Nusatenggara islands and in large parts of Papua, in the Batak highlands as well as on Nias island in North Sumatra, the majority are either Catholics or Protestants. On the whole the Indonesian people are religious in nature.

And, true to the Pancasila, the five principles of nationhood, - namely Belief in the One and Only God, a Just and Civilized Humanity, the Unity of Indonesia, Democracy through unanimous deliberations, and Social Justice for all - Indonesian societies are open and remain tolerant towards one another’s religion, customs and traditions, all the while faithfully adhering to their own. The Indonesian coat of arms moreover bears the motto: Bhinneka Tunggal Ika – Unity in Diversity.

Although today’s youth especially in the large cities is modern and follow international trends, yet when it comes to weddings, couples still adhere to traditions on the side of both the bride’s and bridegroom’s parents. So in a mixed ethnic wedding, the vows and wedding traditions may follow the bride’s family’s, while during the reception elaborate decorations and costumes follow the groom’s ethnic traditions, or vice versa. Weddings and wedding receptions in Indonesia are a great introduction to Indonesia’s many and diverse customs and traditions. Weddings are often also occasions to display one’s social status, wealth and fashion sense. Even in villages, hundreds or even thousands of wedding invitees line up to congratulate the couple and their parents who are seated on stage, and then enjoy the wedding feast and entertainment.

The Arts and Celebrations

The Indonesian archipelago harbours many ancient cultures that are rooted here, while throughout its history through centuries until today the islands have been influenced by Indian, Chinese, Arabic and European cultures, and lately also by the global popular culture, international travel and internet. Foreign cultures and traditions, however, are absorbed and assimilated by the people producing unique “Indonesian” creations found nowhere else in the world.

On 2 October 2009, UNESCO recognized Indonesia’s “Batik” as World Intangible Cultural Heritage, adding to the earlier recognized Indonesia’s “Keris” (the wavy blade dagger), and the “Wayang” shadow puppets. Further being considered as World Heritage is the “Angklung” bamboo musical instrument from West Java, being uniquely “Indonesian”.

Indonesia’s culture is indeed rich in the arts and crafts. In textiles, Sumatra produces some of the best gold and silver-thread woven sarongs, known as songket; South Sulawesi women produce colourful hand-woven silks, while Bali, Flores and Timor produce some of the best textiles from natural fibers using complicated motifs. In wood craft, Bali’s artisans produce beautiful sculptures, as do the Asmat in Papua, both traditional and modern, Central Java’s craftsmen produce finely carved furniture, while Bugis shipbuilders of South Sulawesi continue to build the majestic “phinisi” schooners that ply the Indonesian seas until today.

The large variety of different cultures and traditions throughout the country is also expressed in numerous exciting and interesting events, both religious and popular, that are held throughout the year. (See Calendar of Events).

Among these are the colourful religious Hindu Dharma ceremonies held continuously on Bali, the court processions during Sekaten in Yogyakarta, Java, preceding the birth date of the Prophet Mohammad, as well as the Tabot Festival in Bengkulu, Sumatra, a ceremony commemorating the role of Prophet Muhammad’s grandchildren, Hasan and Husein in spreading the faith. The Buddhist Vaisak Ceremonies are held yearly around Borobudur, as is the Chinese Toa Peh Kong festival in Manado, while the Feasts to the Dead are held in Toraja, both latter on the island of Sulawesi, and the Kasada ceremony is held annually at the end of the year on Mt. Bromo in East Java, the appease the ancestors and the mountain gods.

Then there are the exciting simulated tribal wars in the Wamena valley of Papua, the bull races on the island of Madura held as thanksgiving after the harvest, as well as the “nyale” festival in Lombok, to collect the sea worms that appear here each February only, and many more events on all islands. And to top it off is the event of complete silence called “nyepi” in Bali, the day of meditation for the entire island, when all lights, fires, sounds, including planes and cars are barred for 24 hours! The Balinese have mooted that “nyepi” becomes an international tradition that will greatly reduce pollution and global warming.

Indonesia is also strong in the performing arts. The beautiful Ramayana dance drama is enacted during the dry season at the large open stage at Prambanan near Yogyakarta under a tropical full moon and against the dramatic illuminated background of this 9th.century temple. Indonesia’s dances are colourful, dramatic or entertaining. They vary from the highly synchronized “saman” song and dance from Aceh, to the sedate and sophisticated court dances from Java accompanied by the liquid sounds of the gamelan orchestra, to the war dances of Kalimantan, Papua, and Sulawesi.

Chinese influence can be seen along the entire north coast of Java from the batik patterns of Cirebon and Pekalongan, to the finely carved furniture and doors of Kudus in Central Java, as also in the intricate gold embroidered wedding costumes of West Sumatra.

But Indonesia does not live in the past alone. Today, in music, in metropolitan Jakarta, the Java Jazz Festival is the annual meeting highlight for top international and Indonesian jazz musicians. Indonesia also boasts some of the best rock and pop bands and singers. Bands like Nidji, Ungu, Slang, Peter Pan and singing celebrities like Rossa, Agnes Monica, Kris Dayanti, Pasha, Ari Lasso, and many others, never fail to create a sensation wherever they appear in Indonesia as also in Malaysia and Singapore.

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Discover Indonesia : Climate

Climate

Being a tropical country, Indonesia is blessed with two seasons, namely dry and rainy. Dry usually occurs from June to September and the rest is rainy season. Sunshine is abundant except in rainy season when the sky tends to be cloudy. It is advisable to visit Indonesia during dry season.

Make sure that your visit does not coincide with holiday festivities such as Muslim holiday Eid (or Lebaran, like Indonesians are fond to say), because the traffic tends to be heavy especially in Java island. Unless you are interested in seeing the festivals up close and experiencing them, of course.


Indonesia’s climate can be hot and humid, so bringing along sunblocks and moisturizers during dry season is recommended. No need to bring umbrellas during rainy season because they are abundant and can easily be bought even in small shops. You might need extra clothing though, and you can purchase them almost anywhere.

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Discover Indonesia : Flora & Fauna

Flora & Fauna

Indonesia’s moderate climate throughout the year, its fertile soil brought about by lava, and its minerals found on land and in the sea caused by volcanic eruptions, have made this the ideal habitat for a large number of unique and endemic flora and fauna. Indonesia has among the most diverse variety of species of animal life on land and in the seas found anywhere in the world.

Indonesia’s flora and fauna is divided by the “Wallace Line” that runs between Bali and Lombok, continuing north between Kalimantan and Sulawesi. West of the Line, vegetation and wildlife are Asian in nature, whereas east of the Line, these resemble those of Australia.

Vegetation found in different parts of the archipelago varies according to rainfall, soil and altitude. On the wetter islands, on Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Papua, ancient rainforests cover large areas. These forests are rich in valuable hardwood, aromatic and spice trees, as well as exotic fruit trees. Lately, however, through illegal logging and human settlements, large tracts of forests have been decimated leaving infertile land that cause flooding and erosions.

On the islands east of Bali known as the Nusatenggara islands (or once known as the Small Sunda Islands), there are savannahs, while on other mountain tops such as in the Mt. Gede National Park only 100 kms from Jakarta, one finds edelweiss, more reminiscent of Switzerland.
Indonesia’s wildlife varies from the Java mouse deer (or kancil) and the one-horned rhino to the Sumatran and Kalimantan Orang Utan, the Sulwesi anoa (a small water buffalo), the prehistoric giant Komodo lizard to the exotic Bird of Paradise in Papua.

How about flora?. Here in Indonesia, you can find Raflesia Arnoldi in Bengkulu, one of the giant and unique flower in the world.

To preserve these unique flora and fauna Indonesia has designated 44 national parks throughout the archipelago, covering both land and sea, a large number of protected reserves offering ecotourism opportunities, as well as botanic gardens and zoos.

Indonesia’s moderate climate throughout the year, its fertile soil brought about by lava, and its minerals found on land and in the sea caused by volcanic eruptions, have made this the ideal habitat for a large number of unique and endemic flora and fauna. Indonesia has among the most diverse variety of species of animal life on land and in the seas found anywhere in the world.

Indonesia’s flora and fauna is divided by the “Wallace Line” that runs between Bali and Lombok, continuing north between Kalimantan and Sulawesi. West of the Line, vegetation and wildlife are Asian in nature, whereas east of the Line, these resemble those of Australia.

Vegetation found in different parts of the archipelago varies according to rainfall, soil and altitude. On the wetter islands, on Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Papua, ancient rainforests cover large areas. These forests are rich in valuable hardwood, aromatic and spice trees, as well as exotic fruit trees. Lately, however, through illegal logging and human settlements, large tracts of forests have been decimated leaving infertile land that cause flooding and erosions.

On the islands east of Bali known as the Nusatenggara islands (or once known as the Small Sunda Islands), there are savannahs, while on other mountain tops such as in the Mt. Gede National Park only 100 kms from Jakarta, one finds edelweiss, more reminiscent of Switzerland.

Indonesia’s wildlife varies from the Java mouse deer (or kancil) and the one-horned rhino to the Sumatran and Kalimantan Orang Utan, the Sulwesi anoa (a small water buffalo), the prehistoric giant Komodo lizard to the exotic Bird of Paradise in Papua.

How about flora?. Here in Indonesia, you can find Raflesia Arnoldi in Bengkulu, one of the giant and unique flower in the world.
  
To preserve these unique flora and fauna Indonesia has designated 44 national parks throughout the archipelago, covering both land and sea, a large number of protected reserves offering ecotourism opportunities, as well as botanic gardens and zoos.

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Discover Indonesia : Language

Language

Bahasa Indonesia is the national and official language in the entire country. It is the language of official communication, taught in schools and spoken on television. Most Indonesians today speak at least two languages or more, Bahasa Indonesia and their local language, of which Indonesia counts more than 300 regional languages.

Bahasa Indonesia is based on the high Malay language as spoken and written in the Riau Islands, as in the early 19th. century, Malay was the lingua franca throughout the then Dutch East Indies, the language spoken in trade transactions. The more democratic Malay language was preferred by nationalistic youth above the Javanese language, despite the fact that Javanese is more sophisticated and at the time spoken by the majority population, Yet, Javanese is feudal as it has different levels of language depending on one’s status and the status of the person spoken to. The Youth Pledge of 1928, therefore, vowed to build one Indonesian country, one nation, speaking one language: bahasa Indonesia.

Since then, Bahasa Indonesia has developed rapidly incorporating Javanese terms, Jakarta dialect, as well as many English and Arabic words into its vocabulary.

Bahasa Indonesia use Latin alphabets but some parts of Indonesia have their own scripts, too. Bahasa Indonesia is rather easy to learn and once you get the hang of it, you’ll find out that it’s actually quite simple. You can try some simple Indonesian phrases, to get you started.

Fact: there are 583 languages and dialects spoken by the different ethnic groups in Indonesia. Imagine a school of 583 students who each speaks different languages or dialects. Confusion will be an understatement. Therefore it’s very fortunate that every single ethnic group embraces Bahasa Indonesia as the national language. If a language barrier can hinder us from understanding each other, we definitely don’t need 583 of them!

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