Dolok Sirejep

The Bona Ni Dolok indigenous community was established around 1747 AD by ancestors consisting of Ompu from the Batu Nagodang Siatas Sitonong indigenous community, located in the village of Batu Nagodang Siatas Sitonong, Onan Ganjang District, Humbang Hasundutan Regency. It has existed and been inherited for approximately 700 years, even long before the Dutch colonial period. Currently, their descendants have reached the 18th generation from the main ancestor, Oppung Marhuling Simanullang, who is a descendant of Oppung Sakkar Toba Simanullang from Bakkara. From Bakkara, Oppung Sakkar Toba migrated to Pusuk and married boru Situmorang, resulting in the birth of Oppung Mauliate Simanullang. From this lineage, Oppung Marhuling was born, who then opened and settled in Batu Rase.

Oppung Marhuling's journey began when he herded buffalo across various regions from Pargarutan Rambe, Sipagabu, Lobu Ginjang, Lobu Ronggang, to Dolok Nauli. His buffalo, which were restless in one place, eventually stopped and wandered around Batu Rase. This event was seen as a sign, prompting Oppung Marhuling to settle there and establish a village. Over time, he became known as a customary elder due to his wisdom, as well as a prosperous buffalo farmer. However, the large number of buffalo also caused problems as they often damaged the crops of the community. To resolve disputes, he made a rule: any buffalo that damaged crops would become the property of the villagers, but its head must be returned to him. This agreement further elevated Oppung Marhuling's respect as a customary king.

In his life, Oppung Marhuling had three wives: boru Nainggolan, boru Pasaribu, and boru Situmorang, who bore him four children. From them, new villages were established: Oppung Dari Sabungan settled in Lobu Lubuk Tolong (Sitonong), Oppung Niala Sungsang founded Lobu Siatas, Oppung Sihobol chose the path of shamanism and managed the Parsongean area, while Oppung Tarduga continued the old village in Lobu Ronggang and later in Batu Nagodang. Each child also inherited a legacy in the form of fish ponds: Tambok Hatoropan, Tambok Dolok, and Tambok Nabolak, symbolizing heritage and the responsibility to manage resources.

The name “Batu Nagodang” comes from the large stones standing in front of Oppung Tarduga's village. The history of this village is closely related to the journey of Oppung Marhuling's buffalo, which ultimately led their ancestors to settle in Batu Rase. To this day, Batu Nagodang Siatas Sitonong is still preserved and maintained by its descendants as an ancestral heritage, cultural identity, and living space for the indigenous community, which continues to coexist with customary values and local wisdom for centuries.

The AKKM located in the Bius Batu Nagodang Siatas Sitonong customary area is a traditional practice passed down through generations by the indigenous community, aimed primarily at upholding customary law and/or respecting the values and wisdom of elders and ancestors, preserving culture/tradition, protecting heritage, spiritual/sacred sites, and cultural practices. The local wisdom practices in AKKM also aim to maintain and enhance natural resources for the economic sustainability of the community.

Dolok or protected mountains are an ancient initiative passed down through generations by the community. Dolok is an area that stores clean water reserves for the essential needs of the community. Additionally, it is used as a source for irrigating fish ponds, rice fields, and community gardens. These resources support the livelihoods of the community. Dolok also serves as a conservation area for traditions/culture. The culture practiced in this area includes Dolok Pilar, which is used as a ritual site for the community to request rain during the dry season. It has various types of wood that can be utilized for building needs and serves as a habitat for several species of fauna.

Dolok Sirejep is a frankincense land with an area covered in grass, with a slope of about 80%. This area has an ecosystem type of rocky cliffs with wetlands and moss. Dolok Sirejep is a region that can be managed communally, but there are individual lands with defined boundaries.

The Dolok area is managed communally by the indigenous community as well as individuals (Gunung Sirejep) with customary rules, and activities conducted in Dolok include the Ritual Partangiangan Panggohi, which is a boni scattering event held every September 27 each year. This ritual is performed in 3 hamlets alternately according to mutual agreement. The Ritual Partangiangan Panggohi is a ritual conducted three months after planting rice, led by Bona Taon, aimed at ensuring the smooth growth of the crops and protecting them from pests. Additionally, there are customary rules that must be adhered to by the community while in the Dolok area, including;

• Prohibition against using foul language and maintaining decorum while in the mountain.
• Prohibition against cutting down trees in fields without the landowner's permission.
• Prohibition against bringing pork into the mountain.
• Rules for harvesting fish are done by mandurang and drying the water.
• Prohibition against fishing and electrocuting fish in the pond, as well as bathing buffalo in the pond.
• The community may utilize forest wood according to their needs.
• There are also specific rules when in Dolok Sirejep, including;
• If opening land in Dolok Sirejep, permission must be obtained from the landowner.
• Prohibition against bringing pork into Dolok Sirejep.
• It is recommended to ask for permission when cutting down trees in someone else's field.

These rules are oral and passed down through generations; if violated, the penalty is social, in the form of reprimands. The mechanism for resolving disputes is through mutual deliberation among the indigenous community via an institution called the Lembaga Raja Adat Bius. This customary institution has 3 paradatan that process decision-making through deliberation, namely;

• Batu Nagodang
• Adat Siatas
• Adat Sitonong

Dolok Sirejep, which is a mountainous area, contributes significantly to the environment and ecosystem, particularly in biodiversity. Here is the biodiversity found in the Dolok Sirejep area;

Flora:

• Wood
• Frankincense/haminjon
• Bamboo
• Cinnamon
• Pine
• Hau Andolok
• Gorak
• Hapas-Hapas (charcoal wood)
• Kayu Harakka (for building houses)
• Boang (wood for making musical instruments serunei)
• Plants
• Tomato flowers
• Marugama (stomach medicine)
• Harimonting (wild fruit)
• Tahul-tahul (pitcher plant)
• Parung-parung (wildflower)
• Bamboo lemang
• Aren
• Hotang (rattan)

Fauna:

• Imbo
• Belu
• Monkey (Bodat)
• Ulihap
• Ampodi
• Civet
• Pangolin (Trenggiling)
• Wild Boar (Aili)
• Hike
• Hornbill
• Lali (eagle)
• Burung Ui
• Sibahue
• Batiaraja
• Limatok (leech)

Ernga.

• Fish:
• Goldfish
• Nile
• Catfish (sibahut)

Important points located in Dolok/Mountain Sirejep include Pasungean mual na maniop, which is a source of spring water. Additionally, there are important points in the Bona Ni Dolok indigenous community, including;

• Parjampalan Sihotik-hotik: a communal area used for herding livestock.
• Parjujian: a communal area located in the village believed to be a place for humans to interact with supernatural beings.
• Old village: an ancestral village that is no longer in use.
• Huta Na Jolo: an old village.
• There are five villages: Lobu Ginjang, Lobu Batu Rase, Lobu Siatas, Lobu Tolong, Lobu Batu Nagodang.
• Market (Onan): Onan Na Tarulang.
• Old Tomb (Opung Mangkulling): in the form of a monument.
• Historical site: Ojung Batu (located in Lobu Ginjang), a ritual site for protecting the village (Pauli Balang).
• Pauli Balang: Ritual site for protecting the village
• Huta Sitonong
• Pangulu Balang
• Tomb of Opung Tarduga Simanullang: ancestral tomb.
• Ojung Batu
• Goa Lobu Gijang
• Tabbok: ancestral tomb.
• Mual parsungean

There are currently no specific regulations governing the recognition of the Bius Batu Nagodang Siatas Sitonong customary area. However, the Bius Batu Nagodang Siatas Sitonong indigenous community is working towards obtaining a Decree for the recognition of customary forests and customary areas.