Asal Mula Suku Simalungun - Cerita Rakyat Sumatera Utara | Dongeng Kita

Summary

The Simalungun people, originating from the ancient kingdom of Kampung Nagur in North Sumatra, Indonesia, faced a catastrophic attack that scattered them across different regions. Despite their hardships, some survivors found refuge on Pulau Samosir, where they rebuilt their lives. As time passed, they maintained their cultural identity, including the Simalungun language and unique script. When they returned to their homeland, they found it in ruins, and the area became known as Simalungun, symbolizing desolation. Today, Simalungun is a thriving district with a rich history, reflecting the resilience of its people.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Simalungun ethnic group originates from the North Sumatra province, Indonesia, and is part of the larger Batak ethnic family.
• 😀 The Simalungun people primarily speak the Simalungun language, also known as Hatta Simalungun, and have their own script, called 'Siah', consisting of 19 characters.
• 😀 Historically, the Simalungun people were part of several kingdoms, including the Kingdom of Tanah Jawo, ruled by a wise and just king from the Sinaga clan.
• 😀 The Kingdom of Tanah Jawo had peaceful relations with two other Batak kingdoms, namely the Silau and Raya kingdoms, despite differences in clan affiliations.
• 😀 In times of war, an unknown enemy army attacked the three kingdoms, leading to their eventual defeat and submission after a series of surprise attacks.
• 😀 As the kingdoms fell, the people were forced to flee, with many seeking refuge on the island of Samosir, located in the middle of Lake Toba, where they established a new community.
• 😀 The people of Samosir thrived by fishing and farming, although they still longed for their homeland, Kampung Nagur, which had been destroyed during the attacks.
• 😀 A meeting was held among the elders to decide whether some of the people would return to Kampung Nagur, with many expressing reluctance to leave their new home on Samosir Island.
• 😀 Those who wished to return to Kampung Nagur embarked on a journey to their former home, only to find it devastated, overgrown with bushes and trees, and devoid of any remaining buildings.
• 😀 The abandoned village of Kampung Nagur was later renamed 'Simalungun,' meaning a quiet and desolate place, and the name Simalungun is now used for the district in North Sumatra, which has grown into a large administrative region with 32 sub-districts.

Q & A

What is the origin of the Simalungun ethnic group?

The Simalungun ethnic group originates from the North Sumatra province of Indonesia, specifically from the Simalungun regency.

What are the native clans of the Simalungun people?

The native clans of the Simalungun people are Daman and Tig, while the migrant clans are Sarag Sinaga and Purba.

What language is spoken by the Simalungun people?

The Simalungun people speak the Simalungun language, also known as Hatta Simalungun, which is their mother tongue.

What is the writing system used by the Simalungun people?

The Simalungun people use a script called 'Surat S Siah,' which consists of 19 letters.

What was the name of the small kingdom in the Simalungun region?

The small kingdom in the Simalungun region was called the Kingdom of Tanah Jawo.

Who led the Kingdom of Tanah Jawo, and how was the kingdom governed?

The Kingdom of Tanah Jawo was led by a just and wise king from the Sinaga clan, assisted by loyal and strong officials, ensuring peace and prosperity.

What other kingdoms were in the region, and how did they interact with the Kingdom of Tanah Jawo?

Outside the Kingdom of Tanah Jawo, there were two other Batak kingdoms: the Silau Kingdom from the Purba clan and the Raya Kingdom from the Sarag clan. These kingdoms maintained friendly relations with each other.

What caused the downfall of these three kingdoms?

The three kingdoms were attacked by an unknown army that came in waves, eventually conquering the Kingdom of Tanah Jawo, Silau, and Raya.

What did the refugees from Kampung Nagur do after their kingdoms were destroyed?

The refugees from Kampung Nagur fled and eventually settled on Samosir Island in Lake Toba, where they lived peacefully and began a new life.

How did Kampung Nagur's name change after the destruction?

After the destruction of Kampung Nagur, it was renamed Simalungun, which means 'a quiet and deserted area.' Over time, the name Simalungun came to represent the Simalungun regency.