Taman Wisata Iman (TWI) Sitinjo

Taman Wisata Iman (TWI) Sitinjo: Symbol of Harmony and Dairi Cultural Education Center

Taman Wisata Iman (TWI) Sitinjo is more than just an ordinary religious tourism destination. Located in the green hills of Sitinjo Village, Dairi Regency, North Sumatra, this approximately 13-hectare area is a tangible manifestation of the Dairi people's life philosophy that highly values tolerance, diversity, and the preservation of noble values. As a cultural center, TWI Sitinjo serves as a meeting point between the spirituality of various religions and the rich local traditions of the Pakpak tribe, which forms the cultural roots of this region.

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Founding Philosophy and Area Structure

Founded during the administration of Regent Master Parulian Tumanggor, TWI Sitinjo was designed to represent inter-religious harmony in Indonesia. Within one integrated area, visitors can find worship facilities for five official religions: a Mosque, Churches (Protestant and Catholic), a Vihara, a Pura, and miniatures of the spiritual journeys of each faith. Culturally, the arrangement of these buildings follows the natural contours of the hills, reflecting the local wisdom of the Dairi people who deeply respect nature (land and water) as a gift from God.

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Activities and Cultural Programs

As a cultural center, TWI Sitinjo organizes various daily and periodic programs aimed at strengthening social cohesion. One of the main activities is "Interfaith Dialogue," often held in open meeting halls. This program involves traditional leaders, religious figures, and the younger generation to discuss the integration of religious values with local customs.

In addition, there is the "Cultural Literacy Tour" program for visitors. This program provides in-depth explanations about the connection between the religious symbols present at TWI and the traditions of the Dairi community, such as the use of Gorga ornaments (a distinctive Batak and Pakpak carving art) on some architectural elements in the area. This demonstrates that local cultural identity remains the primary foundation, despite influences from various belief systems.

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Traditional Arts, Crafts, and Performances

TWI Sitinjo serves as a stage for the preservation of the distinctive arts of the Pakpak tribe. On certain days or when welcoming state guests, the area features performances of Genderang Sisibah music. This is a traditional Pakpak ensemble music consisting of nine drums that hold deep philosophical meaning related to the social structure of the community.

In the craft sector, TWI Sitinjo functions as a showcase for Dairi's superior products, especially Ulos Weaving and Pakpak sarongs known for their Persentabien motifs. Local artisans are often invited to demonstrate traditional weaving methods in special areas, giving visitors the opportunity to learn about the symbolic meanings of each woven motif, such as those representing courage, purity, or leadership.

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Education Programs and Community Involvement

This cultural center plays a crucial role in character education for students in Dairi Regency and its surroundings. Through the "Tolerance Camp" program, students from various religious backgrounds are invited to stay at the TWI area, participate in joint activities, and learn about the history of religious development in North Sumatra without abandoning their cultural identities.

The local community of Sitinjo Village is directly involved in the management and development of the area. This involvement is realized through the formation of a tourism awareness group (Pokdarwis) that provides training for cultural narrative-based tourism guiding. The community is not just an observer but also a narrator, sharing oral histories about the land of Sitinjo and the importance of maintaining harmony in Dairi.

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Cultural Events and Annual Festivals

One of the most spectacular moments at TWI Sitinjo is the "Pesta Budaya Njuah-Njuah" (Njuah-Njuah Cultural Festival). Although this festival encompasses the entire Dairi region, TWI Sitinjo often serves as one of the main locations for opening or closing rituals. The festival features parades of traditional attire, traditional music competitions, and inter-religious joint prayer rituals to ask for blessings for Dairi's agricultural produce, especially coffee and durian, which are flagship commodities.

Furthermore, during major religious holidays such as Eid al-Fitr, Christmas, Nyepi, or Vesak, TWI becomes a center for unique celebrations. For instance, during Easter celebrations, a Way of the Cross procession is held at the miniature Mount Golgotha within TWI, attracting thousands of pilgrims. Uniquely, the preparations for these major events are often assisted through mutual cooperation by local residents, regardless of religious differences, a cultural practice called Mersidohisi in the Pakpak tradition.

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Preservation of Cultural and Natural Heritage

TWI Sitinjo actively participates in environmental conservation as part of the preservation of intangible cultural heritage. For the Dairi people, nature is an integral part of their identity. Therefore, the TWI area maintains its natural beauty with small forests and clear river streams. A program for planting rare North Sumatran trees is periodically conducted in this area to ensure the ecosystem remains preserved.

In terms of architectural preservation, TWI Sitinjo integrates the forms of traditional Pakpak houses (Sapo) into supporting facilities such as rest areas and information centers. This ensures that local architectural aesthetics continue to be known and appreciated by future generations and international tourists.

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TWI's Role in Local Cultural Development

The presence of TWI Sitinjo has shifted the development paradigm in Dairi, from mere physical development to value-based human development. TWI acts as a "Social Laboratory" where diversity is managed into economic strength and tourist attraction. This cultural center has spurred the emergence of a creative economy around Sitinjo, ranging from traditional culinary offerings to culture-based souvenir industries.

More broadly, TWI Sitinjo positions Dairi Regency as a center for harmony studies in North Sumatra. Many cultural researchers and sociologists visit here to study how local values can serve as a unifying force for stark differences. TWI has proven that the advancement of time and external influences do not have to erode cultural roots; instead, they can enrich them if managed with a strong vision.

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Conclusion: A Legacy for the Future

Taman Wisata Iman Sitinjo is proof that culture is dynamic. It is not merely an artifact of the past but a daily lived practice full of tolerance and gratitude. By continuously promoting educational programs, traditional art performances, and environmental preservation, TWI Sitinjo will continue to stand as a cultural beacon in North Sumatra. This area invites every visitor not only to see the physical beauty of the buildings but also to absorb the spirit of "Njuah-Njuah"—a distinctive Dairi greeting that carries a prayer for everyone to be in good health, prosperous, and full of peace. Through TWI Sitinjo, Dairi shows the world that on this fertile land, faith and culture grow side by side, creating eternal harmony.