UNDERSTANDING BATAK CULTURE THROUGH FOOD

UNDERSTANDING BATAK CULTURE THROUGH FOOD

One of the famous and unique cultures in Indonesia is Batak culture. Batak is ethnic located in Tapanuli Utara, Samosir Island, North Sumatera Province. When I was 25 years old, I did study excursions to Toba Lake and Samosir Island with my college students. Along the journey, I and my colleagues saw many things of Batak culture and tradition, so that’s why on this opportunity I would like to describe how to understand Batak culture trough food. Batak is famous for the variant ingredient of spicy natural foods. Saksang or Pork is the most important traditional food because pork is the symbol of culture in any cultural event. No matter, the pork is always used as the symbol of culture food for indicating relationship and cultural reflection. The pork will be divided into several parts and give to family based on the function. Ulu (head) is divided into two parts, right side and left side. The right side is given to the siblings, while the left side is given to the sisters. Aliang (neck) is given to all guests. Osang-osang (chin) is given to the uncles, it indicates that we really respect them and they are superior ones. The pork’s liver is divided into very small pieces and distribute to all guests. The pork traditional food is divided into several parts, all relatives get their parts. It is an indication and the symbol of unity and cooperation to organize everything. Based on my personal experience, I see and I feel the presenting traditional Batak food, manifesting and reflecting the way of their life. When they serve the dishes on the table on every celebration, I can see they present and serve the dishes as it is, not as it should be. There is no willingness how to make dishes good looking and interesting. Batak culture can be seen from the way of their life, it covers how they prepare the dishes on the tray and table, how they serve customer on the craft shop and how they decorate their restaurant.