Batu Hapur

The village of Bongkaras has a long history closely related to land ownership by the Cibro clan, one of the important land clans in the Silima Punga-punga sub-district. Initially, this area was part of the Tungtung Batu village, one of the oldest villages in Dairi. The Cibro clan obtained customary rights through connections with King Sambo from Aceh, both through warfare and marriage to Sambo's daughter. Since then, they have controlled a vast area up to the Aceh border.

The descendants of Cibro then spread to various regions. Some settled in Tungtung Batu, some migrated to Simalungun and became the Purba Pakpak clan, while others went to Tanah Karo and became the Tarigan clan. Despite being dispersed, the ancestral land in Bongkaras remains the center of their identity.

The history of migration has also shaped the diversity of Bongkaras village. In the early 1900s, some Cibro migrated to Karo to study Islam, then returned and spread the new teachings. Meanwhile, migration from Simalungun and the Batak Toba ethnic group began to enter in the 1930s-1950s, followed by other migrants such as Karo, Javanese, and Sundanese. Their presence brought changes in land management and encouraged the development of agriculture and plantations, including coffee and patchouli, which once became leading commodities.

Now, Bongkaras village is known as a multi-ethnic area that continues to preserve the historical traces of the Cibro clan as the original owners of the customary land, while also being open to various ethnic groups living side by side on this fertile land. This background has led to the protection of the area now referred to as the Community Managed Conservation Area initiated by the Diakonia Pelangi Kasih Foundation (YDPK) Parongil and Sidikalang.

Tombak is a forest area in the form of a communal area that cannot be sold. The resources contained can be utilized by the community collectively, but the areas around the tombak that are opened for fields are individual lands. In its function, Tombak or Forest serves as the main habitat for protected wildlife, a source of livelihood, a source of spring water, and a community conservation area. Tombak Batu Hapur or Batu Kapur is a forest with dense trees, rocky and limestone soil.

In terms of management, this area cannot be sold, but the community has the freedom to utilize the natural resources within the tombak as long as they maintain a sustainable natural ecosystem. The community has developed an oral system of regulations to preserve resources and wildlife habitats to remain sustainable. The community also imposes sanctions if there are individuals who steal in the field area; the perpetrator will be fined depending on the landowner. Additionally, social sanctions in the form of Martingting are imposed, where the perpetrator will be paraded around the village carrying wood that is struck against metal, the sound of the kentongan produced aims for everyone to know that the perpetrator has committed theft.

The forest area is also protected by the community as it is still used for cultural activities in the form of traditional rituals, including;

Mardang Ritual

This ritual is performed when opening the forest and planting; the community will make itak gurgur, then itak gurgur is scattered around the seed holes, after which the land can be planted.

When planting, one person must be covered with cloth during the planting process until it is finished. The purpose is to prevent the plants from being eaten by spirits (Tolak Bala).

Boni Festival and Gotilon Festival are celebrations held during the harvest and planting of rice, and the events take place in the church.

When planting rice, the community will make itak gurgur (consisting of flour, sugar, coconut) that is not cooked, then it is grasped and scattered onto the plants.

The ritual performed during the rice harvesting process involves grasping 7 stalks of rice, then storing and hanging them in the house for 3 days, after which harvesting can commence. The purpose of this ritual is the belief that the Spirit (Tondi) of the rice will be safe.

Rice barn (place to store rice): when about to take rice, the barn must be circled by cattle to ensure that the rice does not decrease.

The Tombak area, which is a forest, not only serves as a source of spring water but also contributes significantly to the environment and ecosystem, one of which is biodiversity. Here are the species found in the Tombak area;

Flora:

• Gambir (can be used as a stomach medicine)
• Damar
• Sengon
• Kemenyan
• Rotan
• Hau Godang
• Kayu Sitongop (rengas)
• Kayu Hasupat
• Hariara
• Kayu Jati
• Kayu Goti
• Kayu Piangin (meranti)
• Orchid
• Keras Ketala (earth peg): medicine for stomach pain and malaria
• Patchouli (can be used as a cosmetic ingredient/essential oil)
• Longa-longa (wound medicine)
• Harimau Betel Leaves (stamina booster)
• Fern (pahu)
• Coconut
• Genjer
• Sitobu (a type of vegetable)
• Banana
• Ucim
• Cabbage (bamboo shoots)

Fauna

• Tiger
• Orangutan
• Monkey
• Wild Boar
• Siamang (Imbo)
• Rangkong Bird (Hornbill)
• Eagle
• Deer
• Mouse Deer
• Pangolin
• Wild Goat (belu)
• Deer
• Blackbird (leaf river)
• Peacock
• Bear (gopul)
• Monitor Lizard
• Fish Species:
• Ihan Batak
• Pora-Pora
• Crab
• Sibahul
• Gabus Fish (palatima)
• Sipahitok
• Lebo (a type of turtle)
• Tiri-tiri
• Mujair
• Icor
• Shrimp.

Key points located in the Marsitoguan community include;

• Tungtung Batu is the old/first village
• (statue of Pangulu Balang, Batu Prabu Marga Cibro)
• Ancestor graves
• Traditional house
• Hariara (banyan tree)
• Hulu Ni Aek

The Marsitoguan Community area in Bongkaras village is protected by regulations, namely the Village Regulation (Perdes) on the Protection of Watershed Areas and the Village Regulation on Forest Protection. The community is also focusing on evaluating the natural resources available in Bongkaras village and is working to increase the productivity of the Inang Gambir group. The Marsitoguan Community is also enhancing external efforts by collaborating with the village government in gambir production.