North Sumatera’s Province
The Capital of North Sumatera’s Province is “Medan”
The province of North Sumatera is
comprised of 11 regencies, 7 municipalities, and 3 administrative
cities. The capital is Medan. It is the western gate of the Indonesian
archipelago. It faces the Malaysian Peninsula, and is separated by the Malacca
straits. Medan has developed a lot in the last several years. It also has a lot
of historical remains which show how the traditional life styles were
maintained by previous generations. The province of North Sumatera is rich in flora and fauna. The main exports are rubber, tea, palm oil,
cocoa, coffee, and tobacco. The fame of Deli tobacco
makes North Sumatera well-known in the world. Deli tobacco has been available
ever since the Dutch colonial era. It is still exported
to Europe and other countries. Some other crops which are also grown are
tobacco, rubber, tea, coffee, cocoa, and coconut. North Sumatera is also famous
for its many different kinds of delicious fruits; i.e., salak, rambutan,
mangoes, mangosteens, langsat, durian, markisah, oranges, and watermelons.
North Sumatera is an exciting place to visit, especially, for those who really enjoy
staying in villages. North Sumatera is predominantly covered by large forests,
hilly areas, volcanoes, and some coastal areas with beautiful white sand. There
are many tribes, different cultures, and languages, and as a result, there are
many different kinds of interesting arts and crafts
that can be found throughout the area.
Tourists can get to North Sumatera
from various places. The best choices are to take a ferry from Penang to harbor of Belawan or to arrive by plane, getting off at Polonia airport in Medan. The transportation
systems are quite good in both the cities and rural areas. It is suggested that
tourists who would like to go to North Sumatera take transportation from Aceh,
all the way to Jakarta going through Riau or West
Sumatera. Moreover, the highways have recently been recently been repaired and
you can board luxury buses which are air conditioned so
you can enjoy your trip.
Dating back
A
short story connected between North Sumatera and tobacco happened around the
middle of the last century. A Dutch tobacco planter, J. Nienhuys came to this
fertile land near the mouth of the Deli River to test it’s suitability for the
planning on a large scale of tobacco. The results exceeded all expectations and
in 1869, this country’s first plantation company was born in what is now the
province of North Sumatera. “Deli
tobacco” now the province of North Sumatera. Smooth and perfect “Deli tobacco”,
was by the time of the outbreak of World War II famous the world over as a
wrapper for cigars.
Other
estates followed, among them rubber and palm oil, tobacco, has made North
Sumatera great. From a little hamlet on the Deli River, Medan was transformed in
a few decades into a bustling city with metropolitan airs. Before the outbreak
of World War II Medan was known as “the most European city in the Indies”.
Medan
is North Sumatera’s capital city the western gateway to commodity exports.
Imposing old buildings grace many of the city’s tree lined avenue. Today,
tobacco has lost much of the importance it had before as an export commodity.
Other estates like rubber and cocoa and especially palm oil have come to
take it’s place. North Sumatera today is
still a land of wide plantations, extending for as far as the eye could see.
Industry is becoming increasingly important. The following figures reflect the
province’s relative prosperity. Population mainly consist of three groups, the
coastal Moslem Malays in the Northeast, Batak people and the Nias people on the
island of Nias on the rim of the Indian Ocean.
The
Bataks are among the oldest inhabitants of the island. Old legends mention the
existence in the past of a great Batak Kingdom called Aru, with borders extending
from Aceh in the north to the Johor settlements along the river Rokan in the
Batak people withdrew into the mountainous North Sumateran hinterland, which is
today still the hearth land of the Batak civilization.
Retaining many of
their ancient port Malay customs and traditions, the Bataks are distinguished
into five main groups, Karo, Toba, Simalungun, Mandailing and Angkola Bataks.
Part of North Sumatera’s population are also a great number of Chinese,
Javanese, Indians and other groups, many of whose fathers and grandfathers came
as immigrants to work on the plantations.
Along
the northeastern coast facing the Strait of Malacca, the land is low and flat
and crossed by rivers depositing fertile silt along their banks. In many places
the marshlands intrude deep into the land. The rest of the province is
mountainous highland with only a narrow strip of coast in the southwest, facing
the Indian Ocean. We could also visit so many places of interests in North
Sumatera.
The Ethnocentricities are
Batak
Toba, Mandailing, Malay, Nias, Simalungun, etc. The Folk Songs are : Anjun Ahu, Sengko-Sengko, Butet, Dago Inang
Sarge, Lisoi, Sing-Sing So, etc.
Tradisional House
Traditional Costume
Recently ulos is put on in the daily living but there are special ulos that put
on in the special occasion only i.e: Ulos Jugia, Sadum, Ragi, Hotang, Ragidup,
and Runjat.Batak Tobanese put on the ulos as a headdress combined with white
shirt and sarong, meanwhile the women hanging the ulos on the shoulder combined
with gold terrace necklace.
The Traditional Dances
Tor
– Tor Dance, Tunggal Panaluan Dance, Serampang Dua Belas Dance, The Umbrella
Dance, Morah-Morah Dance, Sigale-Sigale Dance, Kuku Endek-Endek Dance, etc.A
dance from the Batak area with the background of philosophy peradatan and in
dance-would in the special atmosphere.
The Instruments are
Kendang
Melayu, this instrument was gotten in the Deli area, to
accompany the Melayu Band. Marwas or Gedumba, this musical instrument was often
gotten in the East Sumatera area and Malaysia. Faritia, this musical instrument
a kind of Aramba small from the Nias Island. Hapetan, this musical instrument
was similar kecapi from Tapanuli. Doli Doli, the musical instrument that have
the shape of bilah-bilah wood that was hung from Tapanuli. Gondrang, the
similar musical instrument kendang from the Simalungun area. Druri Dana, this
musical instrument take the form of take the form of bamboo that was severed
like the fork penaka from the Nias Island. Aramba, this musical instrument have
the shape of bende from the Nias Island.
Serampang Duabelas Dance
The District Identities are
Kenanga
Flower “Cananga Odorata”, flora, and Bei
Nias “Gacula Religiosa Robusta”, fauna.
The Mountainous are
Mount
Sibayak (2.172 meters) in Karo Regency. Mount Kulau (2.171 meters) in South
Tapanuli. Mount Lelematsua (886 meters) in Nias Island. Mount Lubuk Raya (1.886
meters) in South Tapanuli. Mount Pinapan (2.037 meters) in North Tapanuli.
Mount Sibuatan (2.457 meters) in Karo Regncy. Mount Sihabu-Habu (2.300 meters)
in North Tapanuli. Mount Sinabung (2.412 meters) in Karo Regency. Mount
Sipoimcim (2.199 meters) in South Tapanuli. Mount Sorikmarapi (2.145 meters) in
South Tapanuli. Mount Tampulonanjing (2.008 meters) in South Tapanuli.
The Rivers are
Aek
Asam, Bah Angkola, Aek Berumun, Aek Basihan, Aek Batugarigis, Bah Bangko,
Belawan, Belutu, Besitang, Bah Bolon, Buluh, Deli, Bah Gadis, Gambus, Hapai,
Aek Haporah, Kuala, Bah Lumut, Nalipang, Bah Natal, Padang, Aek Panai, Aek
Piosa, Sarangan, Aek Sarkam, Aek Sibundung, Aek Sidendeng, Silautua, Bah
Silaya, Aek Simpangkanan, Aek Simpangkiri, Bah Singkurang, Aek Sirumambe, Aek
Soma, Bah Toru, The Snake River, The Wampu River, The Bilah River, and The
Meribau River.
The Promontories are
Alanomakinu
Promontory, in Nias Island. Bengsi Promontory, in Labuhan Batu Regency. Hatik
Promontory, in Nias Island. Sairo Promontory, in Tanah Masa, Nias Island.
The Wildlife Reserve are
Sikundur
(79.100 Hectares), populations of : The Elephants, Orang Hutans, tigers, Deers,
The Pigs, etc. South Langkat (82.985 Hectares), populations of : The Elephants,
Orang Hutans, Pigs, Tigers, Deers, Monkeys, etc. West Langkat (51.900
Hectares), populations of : The Elephants, Orang Hutans, Monkeys, Birds, etc.
Lau Debuk-Debuk (7 hectares), Sibolangit (115 Hectares), Dolok Tinggi (167
Hectares), Batu Gajah (1 Hectare), Dolok Laut (39 Hectares), populations of :
Tapirus Indicus. Batu Gimbrit (0,50 Hectare), and Liang Balik (0,50 Hectare).
The legacy of the History
Biaro
Bahal, was found in Padang Sedempuan, Istana Deli or Isatana Maimun, Candi
Porbiti, this temple the Hindu Panai Kingdom legacy that
governed around the year 1039 Masehi, Benteng / Castle, that was
built in the Majapahit royal period in the year 1365 Masehi in the Javanese
city, Medan. The Baturaja grave the king Batak.
The Gulfs are
Gulf
Aru, Gulf Tapanuli, in the middle of Tapanuli Regency. Gulf Mengkudu, in
Langkat Regency.
The Straits are : Selat
Siberut.
The Flora : Beringin, Bambu,
Markisa, Rambutan, Durian, Manggis, Mangga, etc.
Dan Fauna : Deer, Monkey, Pig, Crocodile, Kancil, Tiger, etc.
The Ethnocentricities are: Kubu,
Melayu, Kerinci, Bajau, Batin, Penghulu.
The Museums are
The
Perjuangan Museum for the Barisan Hill, Museum Negeri
North Sumatera was located in Medan with this museum collection consisted of
the legacy of prehistory, Numismatic, of Foreign Ceramic, Fine Arts Breaker Arkeologi, Geologi, ethnography, et cetera.
Tebing Tinggi, Pematang Siantar
Tebing Tinggi,
Pematang Siantar, 128 kilometers southeast of Medan on the road to Lake Toba,
is North Sumatera’s second largest city. The road from Medan cuts to wide
rubber, palm oil, tea and cocoa plantations. From Pematang Siantar to Parapat
on Lake Toba, the journey leads through scenic mountain landscapes with rice
fields and forest stand flanking the road. The city has a museum on Simalungun
Batak art and history, and historical relies like a 200 year olds Simalungun house
are found in the vicinity.
The Karo Highland
As you drive south from Medan into the
Karo highland, the Great Bukit Barisan Forest Park greets you with its
distinctive Karonese gazebo decorated with ret-ret, a two-headed, lizard-like
animal that is carved on the walls of traditional Karonese family houses. Along
the windy, mountainous road to the Karo highland, as you pass the Sibolangit
National Garden, chants of monkeys and possibly orangutans will accompany you,
mysteriously appearing and disappearing from the thick jungle.
Tao Island
Tao Island. This is
a small uninhabited island on Lake Toba with bungalows and a restaurant for
visitors. The peaceful surroundings and the serenity of the Lake Toba side here
make this island an ideal refuge for those who seek rest and privacy.
Balige
Balige, the last
great Batak King, Sisingamangaraja XII, lies buried in a grave yard in this
town 65 kilometers from Parapat. The ruler died in 1907 after leading his
people in along fight against the Dutch. Balige is also known for it’s
traditional Batak textiles. Not far from Balige is the village of Laguboti,
which is known for it’s woodcarvings and statues.
Sipiso-piso Waterfall and Tongging
Brastagi
The town of
Berastagi, located at the foot of Mount Sibayak, will greet you with its lovely
flowers. The smell of fresh vegetables and the colorful and aromatic
arrangements of fruit will etch their place in your memory. Try markisah
(Passion Fruit). In Brastagi we could visit the ancient King’s
Palace of Simalungun at Pematang Purba. Brastagi, 66 kilometers from Medan in
the Karo Highlands, is a cool mountain resort known for it’s fruit’s and
flowers. Also see the slender Sipisopiso Waterfall drops into Lake Toba from
hundred meters high. Brastagi has fruit market and Brastagi’s markisa passion
fruit is known far beyond North Sumatera’s borders, also the traditional Batak
Karo Village Peceran. In Bukit Lawang has orangutan rehabilitation, they are
trained to return to their natural habitat.
Sibolangit
Sibolangit started
as a branch of the world famous Bogor Botanical Gardens. It is now a botanical
reserve for the study of a wide variety of tropical plant species. The park has
a camping ground and restaurant.
Linga
Linga, in this Karo
Batak village 82 kilometers from Medan and 12 kilometers from Brastagi, ancient
houses are still occupied by families. Like most traditional Batal houses, they
contain large spaces for cooking, and a separate partitioned area for married
couples.
Pematang Purba
Pematang Purba, a
site worth seeing in this Simalungun Batak village, 180 kilometers from Medan
is the more than 200 years old compound of houses of the tribal chief. Made of teak
boards and standing on poles, the main building decorated with carved
ornaments, painted in the traditional Batak colors of white, red and black.
This is where the chief lived with his wives, guarded by soldiers.
Botohilitano Village
Botohilitano Village
which is 2 km away to see some traditional houses of South of Nias island. So
many people in Sorake Beach surfing and the way of picking coconut from the
tree. In Bawomataluwo traditional village with as much as 375 unit traditional
houses, we could see the performance of stone jumping, visit to the
conservation of the Leuser Ecosystem and Sumatera’s First Conservation Lodge at
Gurah Bungalows. Around the riverside of the lodge and a half day trek leads
throe primary rainforest to the Gurah Hot Spring. Here wildlife viewing
includes primates such as leaf monkey, macaque, gibbons, siamang, abundant bird
life and orangutan.
Sikundur Park
Sikundur Park. We
could visit Sikundur Park as a recreation forest on the eastern rim of the
famed Mount Leuser National Park in the Langkat Regency, near the Acehnese
border. The Park is home to a variety of wildlife species, including Elephants,
Deer and Siamang primates, all of which are protected by law.
Sorake Beach
Bohorok
Bohorok, two hours
driving distance from Medan and near the Acehnese border. Bohorok is a part of
the Langkat Nature reserve known for it’s Orang Utan rehabilitation center.
Established in 1973, the center aims at teaching the primates to return to the
forest after being freed from captivity.
Pintu Alas
And we could drive
about 3 hours to Pintu Alas from Alas River Safari at Muara Situlen. The
wildlife sighting is very best between 2.30 – 5.30 pm during the rating to
Serakut Camp. We could see the Elephants at the camp, but do not disturb them
and do not use flash photography. 200 meters upstream along the Penakesan river
are two lovely waterfalls.
Sibolga
Sibolga,
a small Harbor town 180 km from Parapat. Sibolga is the district capital of
Tapanuli and North Sumatera’s most important port on the Indian Ocean.
Sheltered by a bay, the waters of the Sibolga coast are good for swimming,
diving and other water sports. There are a number of islands with good beaches
just of the bay. Sibolga is the port of departure for motor boats to Nias Island,
which is a 17 to 20 hours journey. We visit to the Lumban Garaga village, the
small town Balige with unique market building, winding along the road from
Tarutung to Sibolga.
The Tour Adventure’s Resorts are
Accommodation
Accommodation.
Hotel for tourists are concentrated in the provincial capital of Medan and in
the Lake resort town of Parapat. Leading the list in Medan are four star hotels
provide convention facilities, health center, restaurants and night clubs. All
three and two hotels in Medan have air conditioning but those in the highlands
do not need them. All have attached bathrooms, restaurants, phones in the rooms
and some have TV sets.
Transportation
Transportation. The
provincial capital, Medan, is Sumatera’s biggest city and commercial center and
is linked by good means of transportation and telecommunications with most
major points in Indonesia. It has regular air services to and from Jakarta,
Palembang, Banda Aceh and Pekan Baru. Inter-island bus routes from Banda Aceh
and Padang to Jakarta and further east lead through Medan. The sea routes
between Medan’s port of Belawan and Ujung Pandang, Jakarta and Surabaya.
The Harbors are
Pelabuhan Belawan,
is located in Muara Belawan, North Sumatera Eastcoast. Pelabuhan Gunung Sitoli,
is located in Eastcoast Nias Island. Pelabuhan Pangkalan Susu, is located Gulf
Aru, North Sumatera Eastcoast. Pelabuhan Sibolga, is located in Gulf of Tapanuli-North
Sumatera Westcoast. And Pelabuhan Tanjung Balai Asahan, is located in Asahan
River.
The Airports are
Polonia
Airport, is located in Medan. Gunung Sitoli Airport, is located in Gunung
Sitoli. Aek Gondang Airport, is located in Aek Kondang. Pabatu Airport, is
located in Pabatu. Pinang Sore Airport, is located in Sibolga. Roket / Sipora
Airport, are located in Roket and Sepora. Siberut Airport, is located in
Siberut. Tanjung Balai Karimun Airport, is located in Tanjung Balai Karimun.
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