Tao Toba

Huta Lontung is administratively located in Lontung Village, Muara District, North Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra. This indigenous community is rooted in the Rajagukguk clan which has developed into several sub-lineages, namely Pomparan Raja Bolon, Pomparan Raja Iba, Pomparan Ompu ni Antar, Pomparan Ompu Sahalana, Pomparan Ompu Raja Ulang Begu, and the Pasaribu clan known as Boru Bius.

The formation of Huta Lontung began with the migration of the ancestors of the Rajagukguk indigenous people from Sibandang Island to Lontung. Raja Bolon was the first to establish a settlement in Huta Bolon, Sosor Onan, followed by his brother Raja Iba who also settled in Sosor Onan. Pomparan Ompu ni Antar then established a settlement in Lumban Tonga-Tonga, while Pomparan Ompu Sahalana resided in Sosor Binanga. Pomparan Ompu Raja Ulang Begu opened a settlement in Pangambatan, while the Pasaribu clan who accompanied Raja Bolon settled in Panoguan.

The migration from Sibandang Island to Lontung was carried out because this area was considered more fertile and as part of the spread of the descendants of Ompu Sakkar Ulu Balang Rajagukguk. The name Huta Lontung comes from Sosor Lontung, and to emphasize its existence, the indigenous community held a traditional ceremony that officially established Sosor Lontung as Huta Lontung with a boundary (Hombar Balok) that is mutually recognized.

From the lineage of Ompu Raja Bolon who inhabits Huta Lontung, there have been six generations, or approximately 150 years. In its founding history, Rajagukguk as the village opener was accompanied by Boru Huta (Pasaribu) and Hula-Hula Bius Simaremare. The presence of other clans such as Simaremare, Nainggolan, Sitanggang, Sinaga, Sianturi, Siagian, Lubis, Situmorang, Siringo-ringo, and Purba has also complemented the kinship of the Huta Lontung indigenous community to this day.

Tao is a lake area used by the community as a fishing ground for sale or daily needs. The community catches fish and uses this lake as a water source to meet daily needs, such as drinking water, bathing, washing, and also as a source of animal protein. Tao Toba is a place for fishermen to catch fish. The community manages the lakeside area as restaurants for tourists.

Tao Toba is a collective area whose resources can be managed and utilized by the entire Huta Lontung indigenous community while maintaining sustainability and adhering to the rules that apply in the indigenous community. To preserve this area, the customary institution has created unwritten rules that are developed orally by the customary institution and the indigenous community. These include prohibitions such as;

• Stealing and shifting the pared (boundaries) in the farming area
• Dumping waste into the lake
• Catching small fish to maintain fish population diversity
• Using electricity or poison in the lake area, as well as using nets as fishing gear. In addition, there is a prohibition against polluting rivers as a source of clean water.

Tao Toba, which is a lake area, makes a significant contribution to the lake ecosystem, one of which is biodiversity. Here are the species found in the Tao Toba region;

Fish:

• Nile tilapia
• Pora-pora
• Batak fish (dried fish)
• Catfish
• Mujair
• Goldfish
• Tawas fish
• Pike
• Freshwater lobster.

Flora:

• Water hyacinth
• Seaweed
• Moss.

The recognition of the Tao Toba customary area is protected by the Regional Regulation of North Tapanuli Regency No. 4 of 2021 concerning the Recognition and Protection of Indigenous Peoples. In addition, the Tao Toba customary area is part of the Protected Forest area and Other Use Areas, so, besides the indigenous community, the public is also working to promote the recognition of customary forests.