Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Traditional House
Peninna Simanjuntak1, Martha Pardede2
1,2
University of Sumatera, Indonesia
peninna@usu.ac.id
Abstract Keywords
Gorga batak; historical value;
This study aims to understand the historical value, meaning and
meaning and function
function of the "Gorga" ornament in the Batak Toba traditional
house which was reviewed with a Semiotic Study. The method
used in this research is descriptive method. Descriptive method
can be interpreted as a problem-solving procedure that is
investigated by describing / describing the state of the object /
research subject (a person, institution, community, etc.) at the
present time based on the facts that appear as they are. The
results of field research show that ornaments have a very
influential relationship with the social life of the Batak Toba
people, where these ornaments are used as guidelines to assess
an action taken by one person against another or serve as
material for living a harmonious life. This can be seen from the
understanding that is revealed in the field where the meanings
that appear are closely related to the actions that are often
carried out by the community. The conclusion of this study is that
Gorga or traditional sculptures which are usually found on the
outer walls of houses and the front of traditional houses or also
called ornaments that contain mystical elements that repel
reinforcements and have philosophical values of Batak culture.
The output of this research will be published in an international
journal indexed by sinta.
I. Introduction
Ornaments or decorations are cultural heritages of our ancestors, which are still
commonly found in all corners of the country, usually in their manifestations associated with
religious matters. Ethnicity as one that sustains a sense of primordialism is often interpreted
as a social group in a social or cultural system that has a certain meaning or position because
of heredity, customs, religion, language, and so on (Angkat, 2018). This culture can be found
in various aspects and scope, such as economics, education, law, and politics (Wayan, 2020).
Toba Batak tribe from ancient times until today still retains the traditional values inherited
from their ancestors, although sometimes they are contrary to religious teachings but are still
maintained (Napitu, 2020). The general term for ornament in Indonesian is ornamental
variety and has the same meaning as Gorga . So according to Warneck (in Beheri Goltom,
2010: 8), in the 2001 Batak Toba Cultural Dictionary book Indonesia "Gorga is a variety of
carving, coloring the walls of the house with three basic colors, for example: red, black, and
white". Various writings that have been done, in general, Gorga Batak Toba can be
classified into six types, namely Gorga in the form of humans (Gorga Adop-adop), animals
______________________________________________________________
DOI: https://doi.org/10.33258/birci.v4i3.2476 6619
Budapest International Research and Critics Institute-Journal (BIRCI-Journal)
Volume 4, No 3, August 2021, Page: 6619-6629
e-ISSN: 2615-3076(Online), p-ISSN: 2615-1715(Print)
www.bircu-journal.com/index.php/birci
email: birci.journal@gmail.com
(Boraspati, Manuk), giants / fantasies (Jenggar, Gaja Dompak, Lions, Ulu Paung) , plants
(Sitompi, Dalihan Natolu, Simeol-eol, Simarogung-ogung, Sitagan), geometric (Ipon-ipon,
Iran- iran), and nature or the cosmos (Simataniari, Naualu Village).
Likewise, Ruma Bolon / Ruma Gorga "The art of carving the Batak Toba Traditional
House", has various types of ornaments. Each of these ornaments has a different form,
function, and meaning. Ruma Bolon Batak Toba is often found in the Balige area, Simanindo
Village, Samosir Regency, Tarutung City, and others.
The Batak Toba people also know the ornamental culture which has its own meaning
and function. These ornaments have various kinds of patterns including plant patterns,
equipment / tools / means of life, animal patterns, and others. One example of an ornament
found in Ruma Bolon is the Head of a Buffalo which is carved on the wall of a traditional
house, which means a symbol of glory. Buffalo is seen as a kind of mighty animal. Do not
carelessly disturb humans, only people who interfere will be in the horns.
Rumah Bolon (big house) in the ethnic Batak Toba is a traditional house of the Batak
tribe in North Sumatra which is a symbol of the existence of the Batak community, has a
characteristic in its shape, which is rectangular, like a house on stilts with pillars made of
wood as high as 1.75 meters and with a diameter of more than 40 centimeters. To unite the
parts of the building, a lock system is made between wood, and rattan and fibers are used as
binding materials for building materials.
The traditional house for the Batak Toba people is not just a place to shelter and shelter
from the rain and the hot sun, but is actually full of philosophical values that can be used as a
way of life. Various understandings and noble values are inherent and contained in traditional
traditional houses that should be interpreted and held as a view of life in the order of daily
life, in the context of inter-individual interaction. The traditional house for the Batak people
is a cultural product that has a very high value because for the Batak people the house is a
place or container where we will start behavior that we will later apply to the outside world or
the community environment, then in the case of the Batak people teach social values that
Both must start from the house, namely the family, and the social values taught by the Batak
community cannot be separated from the Batak Toba traditional house which is symbolically
depicted in the traditional house or called Ruma Bolon.
The construction of a house in various regions in Indonesia, especially in the Batak
Toba people, varies both in terms of materials and architecture, each of which has its own
style. However, in the times, the ornaments found on the walls of traditional houses are
considered as decorations that beautify the building. Therefore, this Gorga is a cultural asset
that needs to be preserved and preserved. This article is entitled "Historical Value, Meaning
and Function of Gorga in Ruma Gorga Batak Toba Society.".
6620
According to Sibarani, (2014: 25), qualitative methods seek to explore, find, reveal, and
explain the "meaning" (meaning) and "patterns" of the object of research that is studied
holistically. This qualitative research follows the steps of Miles and Huberman (Sibarani,
2014: 24-27), namely
a) Data collection (data collection), namely collecting data in the form of words by means
of interviews, observations, document digests, recording, and recording.
b) Data reduction, namely summarizing, choosing the main things, focusing on the
important things, looking for themes and patterns and "setting aside" unnecessary ones.
c) Data display (data presentation), namely showing data, classifying data, presenting it in
the form of narrative text or charts.
d) Conclusion drawing/verification, namely drawing conclusions and verification so that
researchers can formulate the findings of the researcher.
Data collection method is a research method in reviewing data both from literature
review and field research. The data collection methods in qualitative research are:
Observation and interviews.
III. Discussion
6621
Therefore, the Batak Toba people from generation to generation still preserve the
traditional Gorga as an ornament of their traditional house. They believe that the existence of
the traditional Gorga in the Batak Toba traditional house is empowered to ward off evil
spirits that are around it, and become a way of life. This is in accordance with Sirait's
statement (1977:17), that the traditional Gorga in the Batak Toba traditional house is
intended as a medium for guarding the safety of its inhabitants, because the traditional Gorga
contains high spiritual values and strong aesthetic values.
Over time, various aspects regarding the traditional Gorga have changed. The Batak
Toba people's belief in the sacredness of the traditional Gorga has faded. Eliade once asserted
that the religious meaning of the cosmos was lost because the sacred perspective changed as a
whole to become useless and meaningless (Eliade, 2002: 108). This causes the Batak Toba
people to develop more progressively and gradually have separated themselves from
traditional rules. Now, traditional Gorga artifacts in Batak Toba traditional houses are no
longer found in Samosir district. The architecture of the Batak Toba traditional house is still
preserved, but the traditional Gorga motifs have been replaced with 'new' Gorga motifs. In
addition, the arrangement of the patterns is also not as complete as in the traditional Gorga
even though the layout of the traditional Gorga motifs has shown evidence of the intellectual
intelligence of the Toba people.
3.2 The Meaning and Function of Gorga for the Batak Toba People
a. Gorga Singa singa Ornament Sign Shape
When viewed from the origin of the word Gorga Singa Singa comes from the word lion
which means a wild animal that becomes the king of the forest. But the form of Gorga singa
singais not likes the shape of a real lion. Gorga singa singahave more resemblance to a
human face with a squatting attitude. The head is made big and the feet are small and the eyes
are wide, the head is decorated with a three-color cloth, namely red, white, black and the feet
kneel just below the head. Located above the right and left pillars of the Toba Batak
traditional house.
Functions of the Gorga singa singa Ornament Sign
• Represents the attitude and existence of one's wealth, power, wisdom. Gorga singa
singameans strength, sturdiness, and authority, so everyone who occupies the house is a
person who is powerful and wise in making decisions in a problem.
• As a symbol of decoration to beautify the traditional Batak Toba house. A house
without furniture is not beautiful to look at, neither is Gorga, without these carvings the
house will not be beautiful.
6622
Figure 1. Ornamen Gorga Ulu Paung
(Source: Dokumentasi Pribadi)
3.3 The Sianrebale Age (zero culture)
Gorga Ulu Paung is a giant ornament in the form of half human and half animal, often
found in the form of a human head with buffalo horns. It is located at the top end of the Toba
Batak traditional house. Ulu Paung is basically the same as Jenggar/Jongrom, namely an
ornament in the shape of a buffalo head. The difference is only in the matter of its location.
6623
Gorga Sitompi is a Gorga in the form of a tool to tie a buffalo neck to a plow when
plowing a field. This tool is made of woven rattan, so judging by the movement of the
wicker, it becomes the basis for this Gorga Sitompi.
Gorga Desa Naualu in the form of the cardinal directions which are added with
decorations. There are eight cardinal directions, namely: east, southeast, south, southwest,
west, northwest, north, northeast. This Gorga is usually placed in the upper, left and right
corners of the Toba Batak traditional house.
6624
b. The Meaning of Naualu Village Gorga Ornament Signs
Gorga Desa Naualu or it is said to be the direction of the wind is used as a symbol
associated with ritual activities, farming season, fishing season and so on. There are eight
cardinal directions, namely: east, southeast, south, southwest, west, northwest, north,
northeast. Of the eight cardinal directions that signify these symbols. From the meaning of
Gorga, Naualu village above, which means a symbol of ritual activity, farming season, and
fishing season?
Gorga Iran-Iran is in the form of a type of human make-up material to make it look
more beautiful. Gorga Iran-Iran is located on the left and right side of the Toba Batak
traditional house.
6625
3.8 Gorga Manuk
Manuk means chicken. Chickens are usually for the Batak people as pets placed under
the Toba Batak traditional house. The chicken has two legs and is located under Gorga
Simataniari. Located in the middle of the Toba Batak traditional house and below Gorga
Simataniari.
The hand is a small white box that serves to store betel, cigarettes, or other small
objects. Gorga Sitagan is symmetrical like a box lid and is above Gorga Gaja dompak.
Located above Gorga Gaja dompak. Toba Batak traditional house.
6626
a. Functions of the Gorga Sitangan Sign Ornament
• As a place to store objects and things so that they are not easily lost and damaged.
Gorga Sitangan means advice not to be arrogant to people who come to visit. So,
everyone who looks after and takes good care of the items in his house is a sign of
someone who is busy in receiving guests.
• As a symbol of decoration to beautify the traditional Batak Toba house. A house
without furniture is not beautiful to look at, neither is Gorga , without these carvings
the house will not be beautiful.
Gorga Dalihan Natolu is in the form of intertwined tendrils. Dalihan natolu consists of
three meanings, namely: somba Marhula-hula, manat Mardongan tubu and elek marboru.
From the Dalaihan Na Tolu philosophy above, the Toba Batak people practice it as a rule and
norm in their daily life. In addition, the kinship relationship that the community has is very
close. Located on the front wall of the Toba Batak traditional house.
6627
b. The Meaning of Dalihan Natolu's Gorga Ornament Sign
Gorga Dalihan natolusymbolizes the philosophy of Dalihan Natolu which is the
philosophy of life of the Batak people in relationships with others, namely: somba Marhula-
hula, manat Mardongan tubu and elek marboru. everyday life. In addition, the kinship
relationship that the community has is very close. Gorga Dalihan Natolu is usually found on
the dorpijolo (front wall).
Gorga Gaja dompak is shaped like a 'giant' jenggar which is located at the end of the
corner of the Toba Batak traditional house. This Gorga Gaja dompak resembles a human
with eyes, tongue and nose.
6628
IV. Conclusion
At the end of this study the author will present several conclusions. In line with the
formulation of the problem in this study, the intended summary can be seen in the following
description:
1. The traditional Gorga in the Toba Batak traditional house contains symbolic meanings
as a medium for communicating with ancestral spirits who still reside in the world.
Therefore, any communication related to ancestral spirits is always associated with the
traditional Gorga . The symbolic meanings of the traditional Gorga in the Toba Batak
traditional house are reflected in its motifs.
2. The function of the Gorga ornament found in the Toba Batak traditional house shows
an attitude of wisdom, power, wealth, cohesiveness, ethics, advice, kinship, warding off
evil (mystical) spirits, love of culture, and overcoming all problems.
References
Afrina. 2008. “Fungsi dan Makna Ornamen Rumah Adat Karo Kajian Semiotik”, Medan.
Agus Sachari, 2005. Komunikasi visual. Suatu Kajian Semiotika.
Angkat, M., Katimin, and Nur, A. (2019). Construction of Religious Identity in Pakpak
Culture Community in Dairi District. Budapest International Research and Critics
Institute-Journal (BIRCI-Journal) Vol 2 (4): 487-494.
Barthes, Roland. 1988. The Semiotic Challenge. New York: Hill and Wang.
Corry, Napitu, U., and Supsiloani. (2020). Tural phenomenon of Monument Building in Batak
Toba People Life in Pangururan District and Palipi District Samosir. Budapest International
Research and Critics Institute-Journal (BIRCI-Journal) Vol 3 (2): 1185-1197.
Curedale, Roberts. 2013. Design thinking, process and methods manual Topanga CA, USA,
Design Community College Inc.
Firmansyah Rangga. 2016. Konsep akulturasi budaya dalam pembentukan gaya arsitektur,
Universitas Telkom.
Ginting, R. B. 2014. Katolik di tanah Karo: Kebon Jahe 1942-1970an. Jurnal Lembaran
Sejarah Vol 11 no 2, 170-186.
Koentjaraningrat, 2009. Pengantar Ilmu Antropologi, Jakarta , Reineka Cipta.
KBBI. 2016. Kamus Besar Bahasa Indoensia. Edisi ke V, Jakarta: Balai Pustaka .
Rangga Firmansyah S, S. M. (2016, December 1). Konsep dasar Asimilasi dan Akulturasi
dalam Pembelajaran Budaya. Retrieved June 20, 2018, from Research Gate:
https://www.researchgate.
Sibarani, Robert, et al. (2021a). Metaphors of land divisions for traditional irrigations at
Tipang village, Lake Toba area: an Anthropolinguistic study. Journal of Legal, Ethical
and Regulatory Issues Volume 24, Special Issue 2, 2021:1-9
Sibarani, Robert, et al.(2021b).The Local Wisdom of Traditional Irrigation System for
Agrotourist Destination at Tipang Village, Lake Toba Area: Ritual and
Tradition.Journal Linguistica Antverpiensia issue 1, 2021 :733-747
Silaban Immanuel, et al.2020. Indahan siporhis ‘‘the very best boiled rice mixed with herbs
and species’’ for the women’s mental.and physical health in ritual of traditional
agricultural farming. Enfermeria Clinica: 355
Sibeth, A. 1991. the Batak: peoples of the Island of Sumatera. London: Thames and Hudson Ltd.
Simamora, T. 1997. Rumah Batak Toba Usaha Inkulturasi. Pematang Siantar: Gereja Pangururan.
Sumartono. 2017. Metode Penelitian Kualitatif. Jakarta: Pusat studi Reka Rancang.
Wayan, K.Y., and Nyoman, S. (2020). Women and Cultural Patriarchy in Politics. Budapest
International Research and Critics Institute-Journal (BIRCI-Journal) Vol 3 (3): 2158-2164.
6629