The Description of Clan Function in Batak Toba Culture

Abstract

The discussion in this paper focuses on the function and role of the clan in Batak Toba culture. The clan is very important in the life of Batak people, because the clan is the identity used in their life. For the Batak Toba people, knowing the lineage is a very important thing, because through lineage a person can know the position of his/her kinship. This is very important in social life and in traditional events. There are three important positions in the Batak tribe, namely: Hula-hula, Boru, and Dongan Sabutuha, each of which has a different function and role in the Dalihan Na Tolu order. Currently, many younger generations of the Batak Toba tribe tend not to understand the kinship that applies within their clans or tribes. Especially for the Batak Toba people who live overseas or in big cities. Currently, many younger generations of the Batak Toba tribe tend not to understand the kinship that applies within their clans or tribes. Especially for the Batak Toba people who live overseas or in big cities. This is due to busyness so that they do not interact or are directly involved in traditional events, environmental and technological impacts also make a person tend to be individualistic.In writing this paper, the researcher hopes that this paper can be a reference for reading about the function and role of clans for many people, especially young generation. So that they want to learn about their own culture and tribe, so that they do not lose their identity as Batak people, and want to preserve their own culture.