Pemandian Alam Bah Damanik: Dari Objek Ritual Menjadi Objek Wisata di Kelurahan Sarimatondang Kecamatan Sidamanik Kabupaten Simalungun (1995-2015)

Abstract

This research discusses the Bah Damanik Natural Bath which was originally used as a ritual object and became a tourist attraction in Sarimatondang Village, Sidamanik District, Simalungun Regency in 1995-2015." The purpose of this research is to explain the background of the Bah Damanik Natural Bath from a ritual object to a tourist attraction in Sarimatondang Village, Sidamanik District, Simalungun Regency, explain the development process of the transition of the Bah Damanik Natural Bath from a Ritual Object to a Tourist Attraction in Sarimatondang Village, Sidamanik District, Simalungun Regency in 1995- 2015, explaining the use of the Bah Damanik Natural Bath from a Ritual Object to a Tourist Attraction in Sarimatondang Village, Sidamanik District, Simalungun Regency. This thesis research uses historical research methods. The initial stage of this research is a data search or heuristic with library study, namely collecting sources in the form of books, theses, scientific works and field studies in the form of interviews in Sarimatondang Village, Sidamanik District, Simalungun Regency. After all the data and sources have been collected, verification is then carried out in the form of internal and external criticism to find facts. The verified facts are then connected to the data obtained in the field objectively and scientifically regarding the object under study through the Interpretation stage, data filtering, then the analysis process is carried out until the final stage is carried out in the Historiography stage by collecting the research results into an article. The Bah Damanik Natural Baths began to be used as baths in 1995 by the Partuanon family. Previously, Bah Damanik was a sacred place and a tourist attraction. There is a developmental process of transitioning from a ritual object to a tourist attraction which means that the Bah Damanik Natural Baths are frequently visited by tourists and they are carrying out updates for the comfort of tourists which have not been accepted by the Conservative community which has led to conflict. The use of the Bah Damanik Natural Baths from a ritual object to a tourist attraction in the lives of the people of Sarimatondang Village, Sidamanik District, Simalungun Regency has become much different from various aspects such as activities and the economy. In terms of activities, it is easier for the people of Sarimatondang Village to find work, to add recreational facilities or tourist destinations and tourist attractions in Sarimatondang Village, Sidamanik District, Simalungun Regency, and it remains a place to carry out the Maranggir Ritual Cultural Tradition even though it has become a tourist attraction. In economic terms, namely further advancing economic activities in the tourism sector, helping to increase community and village income, helping the rate of regional development because the existence of a center of excellence for tourist attractions in an area will trigger the development of tourism facilities and infrastructure in that area.