A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CEREMONY OF MANGONGKAL HOLI IN
TOBA BATAK
A PAPER
BY
RAFAEL PARDOSI
REG. NO. : 072202013
DIPLOMA III ENGLISH STUDY PROGRAM
Approved by
Supervisor,
Dra. Munizhar Muchtar, M.S
NIP:
Submitted to faculty of letter University of north sumatera in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for Diploma (D-III) in English.
Approved by
Head of English study program,
Accepted by the Board of Examiners in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the D-III
Examination of the Diploma III of English Study Program, Faculty of letters, University of
North Sumatera.
The examination is held on the………
Faculty of letters, University of North Sumatera
Dean,
Dra. Aminullah
Board of Examiner and Reader.
Examiner : Dra. Munizhar Muchtar, M.S
Author’s Declaration
I am RAFAEL PARDOSI, declare that I am the sole author of this paper. Except where reference
is made in the text of this paper, this paper contains no material published elsewhere or extracted
in whole or in part from a paper by which I have qualified for or awarded another degree.
No other person’s work has been used without due acknowledgement in the main text of the
paper. This paper has not been submitted for the award of another degree in any tertiary
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Name : RAFAEL PARDOSI
Title of paper : A Brief Description of Ceremony Mangongkal Holi in Toba Batak
Qualification : D-III/Ahli Madya
Study Program : English
1. I am willing that my paper should be available for reproduction of the discretion of the
librarian of the Diploma III English Study Program Faculty of Letters USU on the
understanding that users are made aware of their obligation under law of the Republic of
Indonesia.
2. I am not willing that my paper be made available for reproduction.
ABSTRAK
Judul kertas karya ini adalah A Brief Description of Ceremony of Mangongkal Holi in Toba Batak. Mangongkal holi adalah suatu upacara yang dilakukan oleh orang batak terutama suku Batak Toba dengan mengali kembali kuburan nenek moyangnya dan kemudian
mengumpulkan seluruh tulang-tulangnya dan kemudian dipindahkan ketempat yang baru atau disebut dengan tugu. Kertas karya ini menjelaskan tentang pengertian dari mangongkal holi serta tata cara jalannya upacara tersebut. Selain itu juga, dalam kertas karya ini akan dijelaskan tujuan dari mangongkal holi, alasan mengapa diadakannya upacara tersebut, sehingga dengan
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First of all, I would like thank God because of His blessing I can live until this time.
Thank You Lord because of His blood I can save and I get new life and thank you because you
makes me as Your child.
In this occasion, I would like to thank you the Dean of Faculty of letters, Drs. Syaifuddin,
M. A, Ph. D, and head of faculty of English Study Program, Dra.Syahyar Hanum. Thank you
because you give me knowledge especially in English. Special big thank to my supervisor, Drs.
Munizhar Muchtar, M.S. That always give me supports, careness, and his personality that
motivate in writing this paper. Then, I would like to thank my reader, Drs. Matius C.A
sembiring, M.A, who helped me to read and check my paper. I also would like to thank you all
my lectures who taught me in English Department Diploma III.
I would like to thank my lovely family, especially to my parents, my father B Pardosi,
and my mother A Sipahutar. Thank you for your kindness and you love for me since I was a
child until this time. Thank you because you are always besides me whatever your condition.
You always support me, give me solution. Besides, you can be as a good friend, a good sister and
brother, and you can be everything I need. Thank for all you have given to me. I also would like
to thank my dearest sisters, Erlin Pardosi,Amd, Ramsida Pardosi,Amd, Helvany Pardosi and my
handsome brother, Harmoko Pardosi and Ramles Pardosi. Thank you for your kindness, love,
and always be there when I am happy or sad. I will not forget unforgettable moment with all of
I also would like thank all my friends in college. Thank you for Regina tarigan, Eva sary
purba, prita simbolon, Roy N, Andreas S, Lely S, Lucky, Anna maria, Lady S, and all of you that
can mentioned one by one. Thank you for being my friend.
I would like thank my lovely friends in my boarding house “6A”. thank Asni P (tuken 1),
Tioman P (tuken 2), Uni (si imoet), Vany P, Lestary (queen shopping), K’melly, and Lukas (raja
minyak arshiteru) for your kindness and suggestions.
Finally, I realize that this paper is stiil not perfect. Thus, I am waiting for other
constructive criticism and suggestion to perfect this paper. I do hope that this paper can be useful
for everybody who wants to enrich their knowledge in culture.
Medan,5 juni 2010
The writer,
Rafael Pardosi
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2. DESCRIPTION ABOUT MANGONGKAL HOLI 2.1What is Mangongkal Holi………..3
2.2 Purpose of Mangongkal Holi………3
2.3 Process of Ceremony Mangongkal Holi………...4
2.4 Motivation Mangongkal Holi………....5
3. THE CEREMONY BEFORE EXCAVATION OF BONES 3.1Excavation of Bones………..11
4. THE CEREMONY AFTER EXCAVATION OF BONES
4.1Moving of Bones From old Place to New Place………16
4.2 Build Up of Monument……….19
5. REASON’S OF MANGONGKAL HOLI
5.1Show Social Prestige………..21
5.2 Union Partnership……….23
6. CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION
6.1Conclusion……….25
6.2 Suggestion………26
ABSTRAK
Judul kertas karya ini adalah A Brief Description of Ceremony of Mangongkal Holi in Toba Batak. Mangongkal holi adalah suatu upacara yang dilakukan oleh orang batak terutama suku Batak Toba dengan mengali kembali kuburan nenek moyangnya dan kemudian
mengumpulkan seluruh tulang-tulangnya dan kemudian dipindahkan ketempat yang baru atau disebut dengan tugu. Kertas karya ini menjelaskan tentang pengertian dari mangongkal holi serta tata cara jalannya upacara tersebut. Selain itu juga, dalam kertas karya ini akan dijelaskan tujuan dari mangongkal holi, alasan mengapa diadakannya upacara tersebut, sehingga dengan
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 The Background of Study
As we know, that Indonesia is a country that has many diverse cultures. One of
them is ethnic. Each ethnic has its own culture, religion, social system, language and
customary norms, which are different one to another.
As a young child Indonesia, the writer also wanted to observe one of the
Indonesia cultures, namely Toba Batak culture. One of Toba Batak culture is ceremony
Mangongkal Holi (take up the bones). Because the writer think, lately, this culture has
disappear in toba Batak community. The writer is also ethnic Batak, therefore, he
interested to know more about culture.
As young generation, the writer wants to develop that culture. This is not easy
because each culture have norms, customs and social system, which are different one to
another. The writer has intentionally chosen the title “ A Brief Description of Ceremony
Mangongkal Holi in Toba Batak” because he wants to know more about
culture,especially culture of Toba Batak. Maybe he can preserve and maintain the culture
through his good writing.
Finally, the writer hopes this paper can be useful for the reader who want to
1.2 Scope of The Study
As we know, the ethnic Batak have many culture, the writer limits his problem
discussion namely, the implementation of the ceremony Mangongkal Holi in Tradition
Toba batak.
1.3 Purpose of The Study
Purpose of this writing is to know the culture of Toba batak. In this paper the
writer describes a culture of Toba batak, especially ceremony Mangongkal Holi, which
is described detail the process and implementation of road show that ceremony.
1.4 The Method of Study
To finish this paper, the writer has done a library research. He collects the
data by reading some books that are relevant to the topic and access the internet to get
data and also interview the people who know more about culture batak to accelerate
2. DESCRIPTION ABOUT MANGONGKAL HOLI.
2.1. What is Mangongkal Holi?
Mangongkal holi is a ceremony conducted by the Batak people with ancestors graves dug
back and gather all his bones and then are moved to new place called the monument. Monument
or tomb was build with variety of models in which the contruction funds come from donations
collected from all the descendants of the clan or family members who will build a new
monument or tomb for his ancestor.
2.2. Purpose of Mangongkal Holi.
As for the purpose of mangongkal holi is to unify the grave or tomb of our ancestor that
may have been separated since the first split in the wake first time in the wake, which may be
caused by several factors, to one a large monument. And as for the other purpose of this
mangongkal holi is to entrance solidarity among the same clan or family relatives,where they can
According the law and grazing srtategis HKBP say that extracting the bones (mangongkal
holi) occurred because of the possible for several reason:
1. The damage grave, because the eating of age or natural factors (floods, landslides)
2. The damage grave, because of land acquisition for construction of roads, dams industries,
etc.
3. To combine of grave families as a separate grave.
2.3. The Process of Mangongkal Holi.
The event process of mangongkal holi from the beginning this whole deal family. All family
must first deliberation to determine the party will deal mangongkal this holi.
After all agreed to hold the event mangongkal holi, then will determine the day and date in the
event invented it. After all the events are arranged and there are no more obstacles, the new
process at the start mangongkal holi. The process mangongkal holi is conducted and must be
witnessed by all the family.the proses mangongkal holi this begins from the event bone
excavation, removal of bone, bone removal and to place the new entry into the new bone
(monument).In the process this event, parties should participate actively in the recent church this
way, because the church also oversees the procedures mangongkal holi proceedings because
In addition, the church council should find out the proceedings from the bone dig excavation,
save up to enter a new place. However when the location of graves of the old with the new
location far apart, then the bones should be in store in the church. In the process of digging or
include bones, should not be accompanied by tortor, gondang and music and also not running a
funeral agenda.
2.4 Motivation of Mangongkal Holi
Spirit to achieve wealth, success and glory have been become a major motivator for them
to achieve progress in life all fields. This spirit was also formed for the persistence of Batak
people fight for everything to reach for their dream. In bisang agriculture, the presence of paddy
fields which very extensive areas along the east coast
North Sumatra Batak people is evidence of persistence in farming. In few years later people
began to enjoy the success of Batak business his trouble. Success was achieved in a stormy area
of employment, be it in government, commerce, education, military, and others agriculture.
As a religious community, this success to the stimulation to give a thank-you ceremony
conformed to his religious beliefs. Unfortunately, religi Batak ancestral religion which is still
powerful and not thickened by the ministry of the church, have made people Batak
to the religious beliefs of our ancestors adapted to Christianity. Thanksgiving is not given to the
That success makes people go back to worshiping Batak ancestral spirits for all the blessings that
have been granted to the offspring.
Adoration is the highest honor given to the spirit of people dead. Worshiping ancestors is done
by building a monument clan father ancestors. They consider the construction of the monument
is the most secure in the realization of religious beliefs in the middle of the length Christian
community. Cult worship deemed not to constitute ancestral spirits. Therefore adoration and
worship is an act of equally associated with the spirits of the dead. Everything is opposed by the
word of God. Construction of the monument made by the entire clan descendants parent
wherever they are located.
Monument towering ancestor worship was built with a variety of model in accordance
with the wishes of each clan. This development to do by collecting funds of all descendants of
the clan, through "punguan clan"(union) in various cities and towns or in the village.
both those in native town (bona pasogit), as well as for those in overseas (parserahan).
In the monument, they prepare a place for the bones (saringsaring) clan patriarchs. Before the
bones of our father was transferred, then they usually use the services to find the location of
healer (Datu) The actual grave, so there were no errors in the event mangongkal holi, because
mistakes can lead to anger from the spiritfather's clan.
The luxury and bigness of the monument is a sign of the party, or many blessings received by
the descendants of a clan of ancestor spirits. All the blessings that symbolizes the grandeur and
greatness Sahala spirit of it, therefore is proper given an honored place for him, as an expression
of thanks from the entire
offspring (pinomparna).
Filter-laying ancestors filter means providing a great place
to the ancestral spirits were honored before the various spirits of other dead, or before the Batak
community alliance in the world. This form of glory (Hasangapon) given by descendants of a
clan to their ancestors. The entire batch (donations) given by the entire clan descendant It is a
transfer of a portion of their life force to the spirit ancestor. Giving a food, either buffalo or pig
that which is sacrificed to the hula-hula clan, is a sign of sacrifice and all the offspring
ofconquest was to God, which is the origin spirits of their ancestor. By offering it, to request
blessing again great ancestors to all the descendants of the clan these.
Cultural Values 9 Main wrote on The Toba Batak
In Anthropological on the 9th Main Cultural Values in Toba Batak society.
1. KINSHIP (kekerabatan)
Which includes interest premordial relationship, love on the basis of blood relationships,
harmony Dalihan elements Na Tolu (Hula-hula, Dongan Tubu, Boru), Banana contours (Son of
Son of Boru Boru), Hatobangon (Cendikiawan) and any related links kinship because of
2.RELIGI
Includes religious life, both traditional religion and religion that came later that
manage relationship with the Creator and its relationship with humans and the environment.
3.HAGABEON
Many descendants and longevity. an expression of the famous traditional Batak delivered at the
wedding ceremony is an expression of hope that the new bride is given the later 17th and the
daughter's son 16. Human resources for the Batak people is very important. Formidable force
that can only be built in a lot of people. This is closely connected with the history of the Batak
tribes destined to have a culture that is very high competition. Hagabeon concept rooted, of the
competitive culture in ancient times, even recorded in the history of the development, manifested
in the war huta. In this traditional war powers in the amount of teacher anymore
great personnel.
Regarding longevity in the concept called hagabeon bulung MATUA SAUR (like leaves,
which fall after the elderly). You can imagine how large the number of manpower is expected by
the Batak people, because in addition to every family is expected to bear sons and daughters as
much as 33 people, also all expected to elderly.
4.HASANGAPON
Glory, dignity, charisma, a key value that gives a strong impetus to achieve greatness. This value
gave a strong impetus, especially in the Toba, in this modern era to reach the position and rank
which gives glory, dignity, charisma and power.
5. HAMORAON
Rich, one of the underlying cultural values and encourage Batak people, especially those Toba,
to find a lot of property.
6.HAMAJUON
The progress, achieved through their studies and go abroad. Hamajuon cultural values are very
strongly encouraged Batak people migrated throughout the country. In the last century,
considered the East Sumatra shoreline areas. But in line with the dynamics of the Batak people,
the goal has been the widespread migration to all corners of the country to maintain or improve
its competitiveness.
7. LAW (hukum)
Dohot patik uhum, rules and laws. Value uhum patik dohot and is a strong value on the
socialization of the Batak people. Culture uphold truth, engaged in the legal world is a world of
Batak people.
This value may be born from the high frequency of human rights violations in the way of life
since the ancient Batak. So adept in their struggle to speak and fight for human rights. This
appears in the lives of law in Indonesia which recorded the names of persons in the list Batak
8. PENGAYOMAN
In the socio-cultural life of Batak people less powerful than the values of the foregoing. This
may be due to the high-yield independence. The presence of protector, protector, giver of
prosperity, only needed in an urgent situation.
9. CONFLICT
In the Toba Batak people living higher levels compared with those of Angkola-Mandailing. This
can be understood from differences in the two sub-tribe mentality this Batak. Source of conflict,
especially family life is the life-Mandailing Angkola. Toba was the people more widely because
it involves the struggle for the results of other cultural values. Among others who Hamoraon
3. The Ceremony Before Excavation of Bones 3.1. Excavation of Bones
Before the excavation of bones found in graves that will be extracted, the whole family
involved must participate in the process of digging graves. Before the family involved has not
been collected, especially the biological child of the deceased to be exhumed, better not do
excavation grave, because it can cause a negative thing for the whole family involved, because
on one side of the family who do not participate in the process of excavation feel unimportant or
excluded, so that a misunderstanding will occur between families. In the process of excavation is
also party to a church to attend. Before going to the place of graves to be dug, the whole family
gathered beforehand at one of the houses of the deceased child to be explored. Usually at home is
the home life of the youngest child. After all family members gather, they prayed in the past that
is brought by the church, for the blessing of the entire event, which will be run. When he arrived
at the grave site, the first person to hoe cemetery land must be the greatest child or elder. But
before hoe land, first say a two word, or ask for blessing from the spirits of the deceased for
approval to dig graves. After that will be followed by a second child, and did the same with her
3.2. Take up of Bones.
This section is a continuation of the event can bones.Setelah excavation of parts of the
bones, the party is the party who took the woman, then give it to party boy, party boy put it into a
bucket filled with water, then washed and put it up ulos (ulos ragidup) that has been coated with
a white cloth. And after all the bones were found and wash it well, all the bones are covered with
these ulos.
4. The Ceremony After Excavation of Bones. 4.1. Moving of bones
This section will be explained again next event, after the bones are in the pack with ulos
that has been layered in white cloth. This section is a continuation of the events that have been
digging graves at the dig. After the bones is wrapped properly, the bones are in put in the bucket.
Before departing from the grave, praying beforehand, or make a closing prayer ceremony for the
completion of the process of digging graves. When finished praying, they left to return to their
homes. While the bones that have been in the pack in take home and submit to the church,
because the bones are not biased in the take home, because it will cause the activities of
animism. But if from the grave excavation site not far from where the monument will be the
construction site, then you should not bring back home or to church, but immediately took him to
places such monument. But in the process of digging the grave is very time consuming, so the
opportunity to directly bring these bones to the new place is very small, because the process
could dig up late. After the show finished digging the grave, and removing the bones done so to
continue the next day just in the back with the show monument building process.
The picture moving of bones.
4.2.Build-Up of The Monument.
This section is a continuation of an event from the excavation of bones, a take up of bones,
the moving of bones from old place to new place, and this is the culmination of all these
activities have been implemented. After the excavation of the bones until the moving of bones
from old place to new place well done, then the next event is the construction of a new memorial
or monument. And this monument is a place of bones that have been in the dig. In general, this
monument was built with a very stately, which aims to demonstrate that all their family relatives
have been successful in achieving all his goals, whether it semarga relationship harmony and
hope in the search for riches in his life. After the construction of the monument is finished and
all the bones that have been excavated is entered, the next event is a party to the successful
construction of this monument is usually done .
Party youngest child at home. In celebration of this feast all the family fun and excitement of
this celebration -eat meals together throughout family.dan in this event also invented manortor
events (dance) with a traditional musical instrument that is (gondang sabangunan) Toba Batak. In
this party as well as every family should (dance) manortor, and request songs totor in accordance
with that desire. And in the event this manortor also, in particular totor create event for the entire
party waiter (parhobas) and they are on call for manortor and while manortor, they distributed
the money by the family that was hosting a party mangongkal Holi.
5. Reasons of Mangongkal Holi.
5.1. Show Social Prestige
Hamoraon, hasangapon, and hagabeon (wealth, glory and success) are things that are
highly coveted Bataks people. Adherence to implement various custom ceremony is a great way
to go attainment of the objectives referred to guarantee. By doing worship to the spirits of his
ancestors, the spirits will bless all doing.
The splendor of the monument and the cost of the monument is a tool party's clan to demonstrate
their enormous in front of the other clan. Batak people very eager to showthe greatness of their
respective clans.
Splendor of the monument means to indicate the height of social prestige
(Social prestige) against other clans. Way be taken as one way to gain recognition from other
clans will be greatness or the glory of his surname.
They really wanted to show that his surname has descended from many have very high
educational, a lot of wealth, position high, and various other greatness. For people who are
overseas, their participation in the party's monument, is also an opportunity
to showcase their excellence and success in the overseas, to clan relatives of those who are in
native town (bona pasogit). The spirit of doing "social prestige exhibition" This has caused race
They want to show that his surname is not inferior to other clans, even if you can shows that they
are much more powerful clans of other clan
The native town use as the place exhibition to show of grandeur a clan to another clan.
This passion was caused by the Batak people have a bad habid in their life, as the batak say,
HOTEL acronym (hosom, Teal, plates and of late) or the new term AIDS (arrogant, jealous,
envy and pride).
5.2. Union Partnership
Feast of the monument is also a means to establish a spiritual bond or the alliance between
all the descendants of the clan, strengthen of solidarity clan. Encounter between fellow clan in
native town (bona pasogit) expected strengthen the bond that has begun to loose. It is a place for
a party people who have lived apart for this to know each other between one descent with other
descendants. Ties and clan solidarity with the people
Batak known to be very strong and bond strength was highly visible in one clan or friends
meeting in the overseas area. Since the fifties there is considerable migration flows of people
Batak, who came out of native town (bona pasogit).
Foreign town (parserahan) from the Batak people various regions in Indonesia can relax
and feel a spiritual bond solidarity among the descendants of the clan. In addition, they can
losing identity as the Batak, because the weight in the struggle for life
Therefore they need to know the origin ancestral origins.
Feast of the monument is not only strengthened the spiritual bond between fellow clan,
ties but also reaffirmed the alliance between the descendants clan, with the spirit of their clan
ancestors. Batak society Guild with the spirits of ancestors who have died, and then affirmed
again in generations who lived long in the rear. Confirmation was carried out in
customary series of events in it. At the time of a person involved in
series of events was customary, the bond is strengthened again. Then all the descendants of clan
that follows the party's monument has been confirmed again ties him with all the ancestral
spirits.
These bonds would then cause a high sense of solidarity in among the descendants of one
clan, and gives pride of the clan they have. But even more importantly, all the offspring of our
father again affirmed his spiritual ties with the ancestral spirits. Thus the
next time they will return to perform rituals expressed thanks to the ancestor worship of all that
6. Conclusion and Suggestion 6.1. Conclusion
Having studied in this paper can take the conclusion that Mangongkal Holi is
Mangongkal holi is a ceremony conducted by the Batak people with ancestors graves dug back
and gather all his bones and then are moved to new place called the monument. Monument or
tomb was build with variety of models in which the contruction funds come from donations
collected from all the descendants of the clan or family members who will build a new
monument or tomb for his ancestor. As for the purpose of mangongkal holi is to unify the grave
or tomb of our ancestor that may have been separated since the first split in the wake first time in
the wake, which may be caused by several factors, to one a large monument. And as for the other
purpose of this mangongkal holi is to entrance solidarity among the same clan or family
relatives,where they can meet again at the time of their pilgrimage to the monument.
According the law and grazing srtategis HKBP say that extracting the bones (mangongkal
holi) occurred because of the possible for several reason:
1. The damage grave, because the eating of age or natural factors (floods, landslides)
2. The damage grave, because of land acquisition for construction of roads, dams industries,
etc.
3. To combine of grave families as a separate grave.
6.3.Suggestion
Authors wishing to study this paper, people who have read can understand how the process
ceremony of mangongkal holi. And with this paper also hope readers know very well what it
mangongkal holi, and they have more knowledge about mangongkal holi. The writer hope that
this paper serves to students and community public. The writer know that this paper still has
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