Share |

Cultural Tips

>> Minggu, 22 Februari 2009

Samosir Island is an Christian island, ninety nine percent of the citizen are christian. Here are some basics guides for going around in Samosir Island as well as in the whole Sumatra, not to offend the locals.

When receiving and giving things, including money, always use the right hand, however inconvenient it can be at times. See bottom tip for reason. Use only the right hand for eating. Sumatrans generally use the hand to eat - no knife and fork. Rice is pinched into a ball and then pushed into your mouth with your thumb.

When eating with fingers, clean them in the water bowl provided. Wait until everyone has finished eating before you go to wash your hand.

Placing your hands on the hips, even casually, is a sign of arrogance or anger. It is rude to place one's feet in such a way that the soles are facing another person.

Take off your shoes when visiting someone's home. If a meal is spontaneously provided, it is impolite to refuse.

When leaving it is polite to thank the wife, even if she has spent all evening in the kitchen. Men touching men and women touching women is commonplace but touching between the sexes is rarely done in public.

Burping is normal. Farting is not. Don't throw things to anyone. It is more polite to hand it over, even if it means moving.

Be prepared for squat toilets and no toilet paper! Most up market hotels have westernised toilets but the sewerage system still doesn't handle toilet paper and will generally clog the toilet making a mess. There will be a basket next to the toilet for the paper waste. Yes can get smelly so try the local way - the bucket of water next to the toilet.

The Sumatrans don't use toilet paper and think it uncleanly to just use toilet paper. There will always be a bucket of water with a ladle or a hose for cleaning yourself. The left hand is used for this purposed - therefore rude to pass things with the left hand. No tips on how best to do this. Just have to work it out yourself for best technique.

As a Sumatran man asked me - if someone slapped some shit on your forehead and then offered you some toilet paper to wipe it off or a bucket of water to clean it off which would you use???

Source from: samosirtourism.com

Read more...

Language

>> Rabu, 04 Februari 2009

Indonesia has hundreds of languages throughout the archipelago of 13,000 islands. Indonesian is the national language. People who live around and in Samosir Island has their own language which named Batak language. Most of the people are speaking Indonesian too, as it is an official language used at school and government

Here are some basic words and phrases in Toba Batak and Indonesian, handy for traveling around Lake Toba.

English Batak Indonesian
1 Sada Satu
2 Dua Dua
3 Tolu Tiga
4 Opat Empat
5 Lima Lima
6 Onom Enam
7 Pitu Tujuh
8 Walu Delapan
9 Sia Sembilan
10 Sappulu Sepuluh
11 Sappulu Sada Sebelas
20 Dua Pullu Dua Puluh
100 Saratus Seratus
1.000 Saribu Seribu
10.000 Sappulu Ribu Sepuluh Ribu
100.000 Saratus Ribu Seratus Ribu
1.000.000 Sajuta / Sada Juta Sejuta / Satu Juta

English Batak Indonesian
Cheers Lissoi
Hello Horas Salam
I Am Ahu / Au Saya
You Are Ho / Hamuna Kamu
We Are Hami Kami
Yes Olo Iya
No Daong Tidak
Why ? Boasa ? Kenapa ?
Eat Mangan Makan
Just A Moment Satokkin Sebentar
Happy Sonang / Las Roha Senang / Bahagia
Delicius Tabo Lezat / Enak
Sleep Modom Tidur
Thank You Mauliate Terima Kasih

source from samosirtourism.com

Read more...

Quo Vadis Management of Lake Toba (Ending)

>> Selasa, 03 Februari 2009

Lake Toba condition is now critical. Needed for comprehensive and concrete steps in handling. In this context, the role and responsibility of local governments (around the Lake Toba) is required. The government is to issue policies on the side of the community and the preservation of Lake Toba. For the presence of industries around the Lake Toba must be critically evaluated.
Besides, people (especially those living around Lake Toba) are required to realize each of the treatment that comes from the outside on the impacts of their lives. To each community that there is a relation to the ecosystem of Lake Toba, or concerned with the future of Lake Toba, both located in and around Lake Toba for your life together to rebuild the ecosystem of Lake Toba. Included with the values and norms must be turned on the local back to the interests of the community and the ecosystem of Lake Toba. (all source from Oscar Siagian, Daily SIB)

Read more...

Tor Tor & Gondang

>> Senin, 02 Februari 2009

Tor-tor is a typical dance from the island of Samosir, dedication has been used as art and culture in north sumatra especially Batak ethnic. Tor Tor (Traditional Batak Dance) play with Gondang (Traditional Batak Music). You can see Tor Tor and Gondang in Batak ceremony.

In Samosir Sigale Gale (Batak dancing with puppet Sigale Gale) play with Gondang. Sigale Gale are Batak Puppet Boy make from wooden and to make it move like dancing Tor Tor follow the music Gondang using string and move depend to puppeter. Tortor Sigale Gale do in Batak ceremony when parent or somebody was dead and not have child (generation). Old time ago the ceremony called as Papurpur Sapata. And now Tor Tor Sigale Gale are dance and music ceremony for say welcome to tourist.

Musical instruments: Flute, Tulila (type of small trumpet), Hasapi (a two-stringed kecapi, small 'cello'), Saga-Saga (a kind of harmonica), Tanggetang (a small ukulele), Ogung (gong) which includes Oloan, Doal and Panggora, one set of percussion instruments (Gordang, Tataganing and Odap), Hombung (pieces of metal tuned differently stored in a chest), Sarune (a reed instrument), etc.

Read more...
Add to Technorati Favorites

Lorem Ipsum

Submit your website to 20 Search Engines - FREE with ineedhits!

  © copyright@alfret siallagan. Skyblue Tamplates by Ourblogtemplates.com. Didukung oleh blogger