Moral Values in the Folklore Si Mardan in Batak Toba Version

Abstract

Background: Folklore is a form of oral literature that contains cultural and moral values that are passed down from generation to generation. The Toba Batak version of the Si Mardan folktale tells the story of a child who disobeyed his parents and was eventually cursed to become a rock or island. This story is not only entertaining, but also full of important moral messages in people's lives. Objectives: This study aims to identify and describe the moral values contained in the folklore of Si Mardan and analyze the implications of these values for the social life of the Toba Batak community. Methods: This research uses a qualitative descriptive method. The main data source was taken from the Toba Batak version of Si Mardan folklore in the form of oral story video (Batak opera) and written text. Data were collected through observation, documentation, and content analysis techniques to find the types of moral values contained in the story. Results: The results showed that the story of Si Mardan contains various positive moral values such as courage, honesty, love, gratitude, and humility, as well as negative moral values such as hatred, betrayal, and dishonesty. These values reflect the Toba Batak culture that emphasizes the importance of respecting parents and living in honesty and loyalty. Conclusion: The folklore of Si Mardan is not only a legend about a curse, but also a means of character education for the Toba Batak community. The moral values contained in it have great implications in strengthening cultural identity, shaping the personality of the younger generation, and maintaining social harmony.