Tombak Raja

The Indigenous Community of Ompu Umbak Siallagan is a Toba indigenous community descended from King Ompu Umbak Siallagan. King Ompu Umbak Siallagan's real name is Tondur Siallagan. Before settling in Dolok Parmonangan, Tondur Siallagan lived in Huta Siallagan Ambarita in Samosir. Around the 1700s, he left Samosir to visit Ibotona (his sister) who lived in Huta Batu Nanggar, married to the Sinaga clan. On his way to Huta Batu Nanggar, Tondur Siallagan was struck by a strong wind, causing the Solu (boat) he was using to break into two pieces. Because of this, the people of Batu Nanggar nicknamed him Umbak (Wave), and since then Tondur Siallagan has been known as King Ompu Umbak Siallagan.

King Ompu Umbak Siallagan is known for his skill in making Piso Halasan and Tobbuk Lada. During his time in Huta Batu Nanggar, he received many orders for making knives and other items, which were paid for with a buffalo for each knife. After accumulating many buffaloes, King Ompu Umbak Siallagan decided to move to Huta Utte Anggir to graze his livestock, and then to Dolok Parmahanan to expand grazing and farming land.

Wars and Naming of Dolok Parmonangan

After settling in Dolok Parmahanan, a war broke out between King Ompu Umbak Siallagan and King Sindolok of the Sinaga clan over land. King Ompu Umbak Siallagan won the war, and the area became his. He then renamed the place Dolok Parmonangan, which means "Victory."

Cultural Rituals and Traditions

The descendants of Ompu Umbak Siallagan in Dolok Parmonangan still maintain traditional customs such as the rituals of "Mangajab" and "Mopang." These rituals aim to ask for safety for humans and the universe. Mangajab is performed in the customary forest, while Mopang is conducted in the village.

Struggle for Indigenous Land

The seizure of indigenous land by the state began during the Dutch colonial era, which used the land to plant pine trees. After Indonesia's independence, the land was claimed as protected forest by the government. However, this resulted in the grave of Ompu Umbak Siallagan and other customary areas, including Huta Utte Anggir Parmonangan, being located in areas unilaterally claimed by the government. Currently, the descendants of Ompu Umbak Siallagan in Dolok Parmonangan are the eleventh generation.

Division of Customary Areas

• Huta: residential area with yards around it.
• Perhutaan: former settlements that are still visited for hunting and harvesting plants.
• Perladangan: gardens or fields still used by the community.
• Perjampalan: savanna and bushes for grazing livestock.
• Bambongan/Perkolaman: swamps used for fish farming.
• Panosoran: reserve land for settlement.

The customary area of Huta Utte Anggir Dolok Parmonangan is managed in two parts, namely:

• Ripe-ripe: Communal ownership such as Tombak Raja, Parjampalan, and Perkolaman.
• Panguppolon: Descendant ownership, such as Huta, Perhutaan, and Perladangan. Panguppolon is divided into two, Panjaean (inheritance to male children) and Pauseang (inheritance to female children).

Customary Rules in the Management of Tombak Raja

• Wood in Tombak Raja cannot be sold.
• Wood can be taken to build houses in the village of Dolok Parmonangan, provided that 2 trees taken are replaced by planting 20 wood seedlings.
• Wood cannot be taken near the riverbank, at least 100 meters from the river.
• The river and bathing area of King Ompu Umbak Siallagan must not be polluted.
• Outsiders are not allowed to hunt without the permission of the village chief of the Siallagan clan.

The management of the Tombak Raja area by the descendants of Ompu Umbak Siallagan contributes to the preservation of forest ecosystems and water sources. The community preserves flora such as Medang, Hoting, and Forest Orchids, as well as fauna such as Hornbills, Pangolins, and Deer. They maintain natural resources with limited and non-exploitative use.

The Indigenous Community Descendants of Ompu Umbak Siallagan Dolok Parmonangan do not yet have official regulations regarding the recognition and protection of their rights over their customary areas. Land conflicts with PT Toba Pulp Lestari, which claims overlapping land, have led to the criminalization of Sorbatua Siallagan, a local customary leader, who was sentenced to two years in prison and fined one billion rupiah.

Other sources:

• Geograph
• BBC Indonesia