Mandailing ancient ornaments

"The meanings of traditional 

ornaments Mandailing"

by Edi Nasution

In Mandailing there are various forms of ornaments traditionally can be found in the TUTUP ARI from SOPO GODANG (Indigenous Convention) and BAGAS GODANG (king 's palace). In the language of  Mandailing , these ornaments are called BOLANG which also serves as a symbol that has meanings that are very deep for Mandailing community. It contains the values​​, ideas, concepts, norms, rules, laws and customs provisions on which the ark undergoing and handle in life. BOLANG or traditional ornament Mandailing used as a symbol it is made of three types of material : (1) plants, such as BULU (bamboo) which symbolizes HUTA or BANUA; BURANGIR or AROPIK symbolizes the RAJA and NAMORA NATORAS as a place to ask for help; PUSUK NI ROBUNG called BINDU symbolizes the customary DALIAN NA TOLU or MARKOUM-SISOLKOT; (2) animals, such as HALA and LIPAN symbolizes  can  which have the force of law; ULOK (snake) symbolizes greatness and glory; PARAPOTI symbolizes activities to earn a living to support his family ; TANDUK NI ORBO (buffalo horn) symbolizes nobility; (3) equipment of daily life, such as TIMBANGAN (weights) and PODANG (sword) symbolizing justice; TAKAR (coconut shell) symbolizes relief for the needy; LOTING (ligther) symbolize efforts to earn a living, and so forth.

Making BOLANG at the BINDU in SOPO GODANG and BAGAS GODANG. This is done by weaving or braiding and some are carved. Materials used as the material is woven bamboo sheets that have diarit with certain forms and then mounted on the TUTUP ARI (BINDU). Ornaments were mostly given color NA RARA (red), NA LOMLOM (black) and NA BONTAR (white) which is closely related to the cosmologies Mandailing. In this case, NA RARA symbolizes strength, courage and heroism; NA BONTAR symbolizes purity, honesty and kindness; NA LOMLOM symbolizes magic (supernatural ) in the animistic belief system called SIPELEBEGU. Here are engraved ornaments found on the epidermis of the SOPO GODANG and BAGAS GODANG.

1 .      BONA BULU feathers symbolize HUTA or BANUA system of government.        

Meaning : A residential area has been categorized as HUTA or BANUA if facilities and infrastructure have been completed include: DALIAN NA TOLU elements (MORA, KAHANGGI and ANAK BORU), RAJA PAMUSUK, NAMORA NATORAS, ULU BALANG, BAYO-BAYO NA GODANG, DATU and SIBASO.

2 .     BINDU/PUSUK NI ROBUNG symbolizes system of social organization.   

Meaning: the socio-cultural life of the community based Indigenous Mandailing ie DALIAN NA TOLU (Three pillars) or MARKOUM-SISOLKOT.

3 .     BURANGIR / AROPIK symbolizing function RAJA and NAMORA NATORAS.     

Meaning: Everything about , whether it concerns the implementation of traditional ceremonies and rituals should first ask for consideration and permission to RAJA and NAMORA NATORAS (representatives of each clan).

4 .     SIPATOMU-TOMU symbolize the rights and obligations of the King and his subjects.        

Meaning: King is obliged to maintain and preserve order in society so that they can live in safety and peace and mutual respect among fellow for the sake of law and custom .

5 .     BINTANG NA TORAS symbolizes founder HUTA or BANUA.       

Meaning: The HUTA established by NATORAS who also serves as head of government and traditional leaders are equipped with the commander,  BAYO - BAYO NA GODANG, DATU, and SIBASO.

6.     RUDANG symbolizes a perfect HUTA.        

Meaning: The HUTA complete with all the customary pomp attributes such as custom clothing, musin ensamblle, weapons and so forth.

7.   RAGA-RAGA symbolizes order and harmony of life.       

Meaning: The relationship between kinship very closely and in harmony with the ongoing marital relationship between highways (clan), both fellow citizens HUTA and with people from other HUTA.

8.    SANCANG DURI symbolizes an unexpected incident.        

Meaning: A person who comes to a HUTA and it went straight to SOPO GODANG, then NAMORA NATORAS shall feed him while he was in HUTA it, and when he left HUTA should be given some food.

9.    JAGAR-JAGAR communities obedience to custom. 

Meaning: In every huta has no provision for MARRAJA, MARMORA, MARKAHANGGI, MARANAK BORU, and NAPOSO NAULI BULUNG customs.

10.   BONDUL NA OPAT symbolizes the provisions of the litigants.     

Meaning: Each case will be resolved in the SOPO GODANG custom (Indigenous Convention ) by NAMORA NATORAS, and decisions must be fair so as not to harm the litigants.

11. ALAMAN BOLAK (ALAMAN BOLAK SILANGSE UTANG) KING symbolizes authority and power.        

Meaning: If there fight  example, and one of them ran to ALAMAN BOLAK located in front of BAGAS GODANG (King's Palace), then that person should not be disturbed by anyone. If there are other people who interfere, then that becomes his opponent is all HUTA citizens.

12.    BULAN lamp symbolizes life        

Meaning: Moon that shines at night to illuminate the eyes of the citizens of the hearts HUTA it will bring them to a better standard of living that is good fortune, glory and prosperity.

13.    MATANIARI (sun) symbolizes KING fair and wise.     

Meaning: A KING who ruled justly and wisely will make all citizens happy HUTA. KING should be protective of its people in all respects, both in customs and concerns of everyday life. Such an attitude KING called MARSOMBA IBALIAN MARSOMBA IBAGASAN.

14.    GIMBANG, in this case KING represents the degree of social awareness high.        

Meaning: KING Ownership over a fairly wide rice fields and food supplies (rice) enough it becomes PARSALIAN (where requested help) for every citizen HUTA the lack of food.

15.    TAKAR (coconut sheel) symbolizes socio- economic justice for everyone.        

Meaning: Every citizen who is experiencing distress HUTA both problems of food and other things to ask for help KING. Similarly, any person required to help others in distress , both moral and material aid.

16.    LADING/UPAK symbolizes preparedness.        

Meaning: Sharps this is quite important in many activities of daily life. It can also be useful as a weapon when going into the woods for hunting or for other purposes.

17.    PODANG symbolizes law enforcement.        

Meaning: To someone who broke the law , has the authority to decide KING whether a person who has been proven guilty sentenced to death or hanged or sentenced to waste (PAHABANG MANUK NA BONTAR).

18.    TANDUK NI ORBO symbolizes nobility and power.        

Meaning: Every home that has a buffalo horn on the top of his roof had signaled that the home is KING or the nobles who had influence or power in a HUTA.

19.    LIPAN symbolizes the principle of deliberation and consensus.        

Meaning: Every decision that is generated based on consultation and consensus with a legal foundation that has a fixed power and coercive.

20.    ULOK (snake) symbolize the position and function KING.       

Meaning: KING on each HUTA have the glory and the greatness which serves as a protective and unifying for all his people.

21.    HALA (scorpion) symbolizes the principle of deliberation and consensus.

        

Meaning: Decisions with the so-called JANJIAN (fellowship) is the most powerful legal basis and can not be assisted by any party. The meaning is more or less the same as the definition of a centipede.

22 .   BARAPTI/PARAPOTI (pigeon) symbolizes livelihood activities.

        

Meaning: Please make a living as a dove fly in the morning to make a living, and in the afternoon back home with an income he earned for his family to eat together.

23.    MANUK NA BONTAR symbolizes severe legal sanctions.

        

Meaning: Any person who violates customs, such as marriage SAMARGA (incest) is punishable by cutting a buffalo and fed the multitudes and releasing a white chicken (PAHABANG MANUK NA BONTAR). Persons who violate this custom Huta and subsequently expelled from the kinship relationship with HUTA residents decided anyway.

24 .   TIMBANGAN (weight) symbolizes truth and justice.

        

Meaning: In examining , discussing , considering and deciding a case must be based on truth and justice and prudent so as not to cause displeasure to the litigants.

25 .   BINTANG (star)  symbolizes NATORAS.

        

Meaning: With this emblem a sign that in the HUTA there NATORAS as founder of the first HUTA once (PAMUNGKA HUTA).

26.    HORIS/ORIS  (ceremonial knife) symbolizes the welfare , safety and peace.

       

Meaning: KING and people live in peace and prosperity, away from all distractions distress.

27 .   GANCIP (clamp) symbolizes KING duties and obligations.

        

Meaning: KING implement custom and the law fairly and wisely. When people need help, the KING shall help her , both moral and material support it. Besides the King should be firm and consistent against anyone who made ​​the mistake was sentenced by indigenous decision.

28.    LOTING PAKPAK (lighters) symbolizes sincerity in trying and working.

        

Meaning: To be able to meet their needs, each person must work and strive to use all the power and mind so that any work done is not in vain, is like iron and stone will produce a spark when pitted fire (bring real results).

29 .   GUMBOT symbolizes King as a role model and a model of the people.

       

Meaning: As a leader mannered and know the law, then the king should have compassion, gracefully, respect and have high ethical role model that he has always been its people.

30 .   PARBINCAR NI MATANIARI (sunrise) symbolizes the sun as rays in life.

        

Meaning: The sun likened illuminate in life , a source of sustenance and livelihood, happiness, well-being for NAMORA NATORAS and all his people. These ornaments are on top of the entrance BAGAS GODANG hall.

HORAS TONDI MADINGIN

PIR TONDI MATOGU

SAYUR MATUA BULUNG 

Informan

•       Mangaraja Lelo Lubis (Medan)

•       Z. Pangaduan Lubis (Medan)

•       Zulkifli Matondang (Medan)

•       Sutan Singasoro (Huta Godang)

•       Sutan Baringin (Habincaran)

•       Zulkarnain Nasution (Panyabungan)

•       Mangaraja Sende Tua Lubis (Kotanopan)

•       Raja Hidayat Nasution (Maga)

•       Abdul Hakim Nasution gelar Batungkek (Tombang Bustak)

•       Mangaraja Lobi Lubis (Huta Padang, Ulu Pungkut)

•       Sutan Guru Panusunan Lubis (Tamiang)

•       Burhanuddin Lubis (Huta Pungkut)

References

• Laporan Penelitian Pengumpulan dan Dokumentasi Ornamen Tradisional Di Sumatera Utara 1979/1980, (Medan: Pemerintah Daerah Tingkat I Propinsi Sumatera Utara).

•   Z. Pangaduan Lubis, Namora Natoras: Kepemimpinan Tradisional Mandailing, (Skripsi Sarjana FISIP USU Medan, 1986).

•    Z. Pangaduan Lubis, Kisal Asal-Usul Marga Di Mandailing, (Medan: Yayasan Pengkajian Budaya Mandailing /YAPEBUMA, 1986).

•      Zulkifli B. Lubis, Manipol: Studi Orientasi Budaya Mandailing, (Skripsi Sarjana FISIP USU Medan, 1988).

•       Buletin PARATA NA MALOS, (Medan: HIKMA Tingkat I Sumatera Utara).

•   Buletin MANDAILING, (Medan: Yayasan Pengkajian Budaya Mandailing/YAPEBUMA).

•       Raja Junjungan Lubis, ”Sirih Adat Lambang Persatu Paduan dan Kegotong Royongan” dalam H. Anwar Harahap, (ed), Buku Warisan Marga-Marga Tapanuli Selatan Turun-Temurun, (Medan: Yayasan Manula Glamour, Punguan Marga-Marga Tapanuli Selatan, 1980).

•       Siregar, Rukiyah & Ch. St. Tinggi Barani Perkasa Alam, Burangir Na Hombang, (Jakarta: Depdikbud, 1981).

•       Edi Nasution, Tulila: Muzik Bujukan Mandailing, (Penang: Areca Books, 2007).

Gandoang. April 23, 2014.

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