SEAToday.com, North Sumatra- Going to Indonesia for a holiday? For the abundance of Indonesia’s natural scenery and culture, Sumatra Island might be worth considering for the next trip. For adventurers craving cultural activity and natural wonders, Hariarapohan Village in Samosir, North Sumatra is a perfect fit. Hariarapohan Village is one of the villages in the Lake Toba region and is home to the Batak tribe. Samosir Island is the last fortress of Batak culture since it is located in the middle of Lake Toba far from the city's bustle. 

According to the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, access to Hariarapohan Village takes approximately 5 hours from Medan City, 2 hours from Silangit Airport, and 30 minutes from Ambarita Harbour, Samosir Island. Tourists can enjoy the experience of sleeping in a traditional Bolon house homestay in Hariarapohan Village, in addition to the affordable price of staying, tourists can also taste the culinary specialties of the Toba Batak Tribe such as Ayam Napi Nadar, Ikan Nila Arsik, Sambal Andaliman, Saksang, Tuak drinks, Dekke Na Niura, Sambal Rias. If you have enough curiosity, you can learn directly from the ladies there how to cook those scrumptious foods. 

The beautiful natural scenery will complement Hariara Pohan Village’s cultural experience. There are Holbung Hill, Coffee Plantations, Avocado Plantations, and Rice Field Irrigation. In addition, there is also a traditional Bolon house and the sarcophagus of King Simarmata's tomb. Don’t be surprised with cows, buffaloes, and goats wandering around the village. 

There are a bunch of activities at Holbung Hill. Besides trekking to the hill, tourists can also enjoy the view from above by paragliding. Currently, many tourists choose Holbung Hill spots for pre-wedding photos and family photos. Access to Holbung Hill from Medan City is approximately 5 hours, 2 hours from Ajibata Harbour, and 30 minutes from Pangururan City.

Another exciting experience is Owek Stone Park. Here, tourists can bathe buffaloes, pick candlenuts, bathe in the river, and learn to dance tortor dances. Special for the dancing, the local government collaborates with the Ronatama Dance Studio Community Group, inviting tourists to learn how to dance the manortor. Tortor dance is a type of traditional dance of the Batak tribe originating from the province of North Sumatra, covering the districts of North Tapanuli, Humbang Hasundutan, Toba, Samosir, and Central Tapanuli. Today, tortor dance is an important part of Batak tribal customs, both in traditional weddings and performing arts throughout Indonesia. It is through this dance that the Batak indigenous people convey their hopes and prayers. The demonstration of attitudes and feelings through tortor always describes the conditions and situations experienced.

Hariara Pohan Village will make remarkable memories. This village achieved second place in the Indonesian Tourism Village Award (ADWI) 2023 for the Homestay and Public Toilet category. (ALIF/DKD)