On my last trip around Lake Toba, our group to stop by a historical site called Kampung Huta Siallagan which is located in Ambarita village, Simanindo sub-district, Samosir Regency.
Has anyone ever heard a story about this village? So, let me tell you a little story.
Huta means village, and Siallagan is taken from the clan name Siallagan. It was named Huta Siallagan because this village was made by Batak people from the Siallagan clan who was later led by King Siallagan.
- Bolon House and its Ornaments
You can find rows of traditional Batak houses or bolon houses as soon as I step inside. It was quite hot, and we were separated. So, if we look in more detail, in front of the bolon house, there are several distinctive ornaments, namely a mask with a scary expression, a lion’s head statue, a lizard statue, and a breast symbol. These ornaments are not just ordinary displays but have their own function which is believed by the villagers.
Its function is to ward off evil spirits. Then the symbol of the lizard as an animal that can live anywhere symbolizes the Batak people who can live everywhere. Strong, resilient. While the breast is a symbol of wealth and generous people.
Then if you pay attention again when you enter the house, the door is very low, so you have to look down. This is not just made up, but it is intended as a sign of respect for the homeowner. And the low door is also believed to dissipate one’s evil intentions. In ancient times, magical matters were still very thick, so protection against black magic was very common. But now some of these bolon houses are used as places for making crafts.
Kampung Huta Siallagan is famous for its story as a village of cannibals. The story says, in the days of the old kings, if someone was sentenced to customary punishment because he was proven to have committed a crime, he would be subjected to two kinds of punishment: beheading or punishment of chained.
The guilt that will be beheaded is those who harass or take someone else’s wife, kill, rape, and become spies for the enemy. The king will immediately sentence him to behead. Meanwhile, mistakes such as stealing will only get a fine.
The Trial Stone Chair
After passing through a row of bolon houses, we will meet a large tree that shelters the stone chairs. In these chairs, the king, shaman, and village elders determine the fate of the patient. If the person is guilty and will be beheaded, then he will be imprisoned first by being shackled under the king’s house. Waiting for the execution date.
What makes this village known as the village of cannibals is that when it is executed, body parts such as the heart, heart, and blood are taken to be eaten and drunk by the king and the commander. The people believed that this could increase the king’s power and increase immunity.
If you hear the story, you will definitely shudder when you imagine it. But actually, the lesson from the story of this hereditary customary procedure is that all evil deeds should be punished with severe punishment such as the death penalty.
To be sure, if you really want to complete a visit to Samosir Island, don’t forget to visit this historical and cultural site of Huta Siallagan. And of course, buy some souvenirs too, even if you only buy one or two. For me, buying souvenirs is more than just helping the economy, but also as an appreciation for art.
Dear @TravellerG hope next time you can make time to visit this place.
Don’t forget to also read this post: The Beauty of Lake Toba Feels Up the Heart - Holbung Samosir Hill