Dahana Village Megalithic Site

Tracing the Footprints of Stone Civilization: Dahana Village Megalithic Site in Gunungsitoli

Situs Megalitik Desa Dahana is one of the living monuments that represent the glory of megalithic culture on Nias Island, particularly in the Gunungsitoli City area, North Sumatra. This site is not merely a pile of dead stones, but a sociological artifact that explains the social structure, belief systems, and technical skills of the ancestors of the Nias people (Ono Niha) in the past. Located in the hills of Dahana Village, this site stands as a silent witness to the transition from the stone age to modern civilization, while still preserving noble traditional values.

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Historical Origins and Construction Period

Historically, the megalithic tradition in Dahana Village is estimated to have flourished during the early settlement period of the Nias tribe in the Gunungsitoli region, chronologically spanning the Metal Age to the early 19th century. The construction of this site is closely related to the Owasa tradition, which is a grand traditional feast organized by a nobleman or traditional leader (Si’ulu) to enhance his social status.

The erection of stones in Dahana Village was not done simultaneously but in stages according to the social achievements of past clan leaders. Each standing stone signifies a major event, whether it was the confirmation of a traditional title, victory in inter-regional warfare (Banua), or a memorial for deceased ancestors. Dahana Village itself is traditionally part of a customary area that held significant influence in the distribution of power in northern Gunungsitoli.

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Megalithic Architecture and Construction Details

The architecture of the Dahana Village Megalithic Site is dominated by two main types of stones: Osa-osa and Gowe. Osa-osa are ceremonial chairs made from solid stone, often carved with motifs of mythological animal heads. In Dahana Village, Osa-osa with Lasara motifs (a legendary dragon-like creature) and bird heads symbolizing vertical power and protection have been found.

The construction techniques used demonstrate ancient civil engineering intelligence. These large stones (often sandstone or hard limestone) were sourced from large rivers or cliffs around Gunungsitoli. The process of transporting stones weighing tons was done with the help of hundreds of people using wooden lever systems and rattan ropes, a procession called Mangosisi Gowe. The stone surfaces were smoothed using harder stone tools or early metal, creating intricate geometric carvings that represent clan symbols and power status.

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Historical Significance and Key Events

This site holds significance as a center of customary law (Gora-gora) in its time. In the past, the area around these megalithic stones served as a meeting place for elders to decide legal matters or village defense strategies. One historical event associated with this site is the moment of reconciliation between clans in Gunungsitoli, which was solidified by the planting of memorial stones.

The presence of Ni’ogowe stones in Dahana Village also reflects the past economic system. The construction of one stone monument required the organizer to slaughter hundreds of pigs and distribute gold as a form of wealth redistribution. This proves that during the construction period of this site, Dahana Village was a prosperous settlement center with food surplus and a stable economic order.

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Associated Figures and Periods

The figures behind the construction of this site were traditional leaders who held the title of Si’ulu. Although specific names from the early centuries are difficult to trace due to broken oral traditions, the local community believes that this site was established by the ancestors of the dominant clans in Dahana who had blood ties with the founders of the Orahua settlement. The golden age of this site occurred before the arrival of German missionaries (Rhenish Missionary Society) in the late 19th century, which gradually shifted the orientation of ancestor worship to Christian belief.

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Cultural and Religious Meaning

For the ancient Nias people, the Dahana Village Megalithic Site was a medium of connection between the human world and the spirit world (Lowalangi and Lature Danö). These stones were believed to be the dwelling places of ancestral spirits who would protect their descendants from calamities. The carvings on the stones were not just decorations but a visual language. For example, breast carvings on stones symbolize fertility and prosperity, while sword or weapon carvings symbolize bravery and protection.

Culturally, this site affirms the concept of Fondrakö, which is the establishment of sacred customary law. It was here that great oaths were sworn. To this day, although the majority of the population has embraced Christianity, respect for this site remains high as a cultural identity that distinguishes the local identity of Gunungsitoli from other regions in North Sumatra.

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Preservation Status and Restoration Efforts

Currently, the Dahana Village Megalithic Site is under the supervision of the local government of Gunungsitoli City and the Cultural Heritage Preservation Center. Preservation efforts face challenges from natural factors, such as moss growth and rock weathering due to extreme tropical weather. Some parts of the site have been provided with protective fences and information boards to educate visitors.

Physical restoration is carried out very carefully to maintain the authenticity of the stone positions. For the indigenous community, a shifted stone position is considered to alter the philosophical meaning of the site. The local government continues to strive to integrate this site into the historical tourism routes of Gunungsitoli to increase public awareness of the importance of preserving this rare megalithic heritage.

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Unique Historical Facts

One unique fact about the Dahana Village Megalithic Site is the presence of stones with small holes that were reportedly used to count the number of sacrificed livestock or the number of days in the traditional Nias calendar. Furthermore, unlike megalithic sites in Europe which tend to be isolated, the megaliths in Dahana are integrated with settlement patterns, indicating that for the Nias people, daily life and reverence for ancestors were an inseparable whole.

The Dahana Village Megalithic Site stands tall as a monument to the physical resilience and spiritual depth of the Nias people. It is proof that long before modern technology arrived, the civilization in Gunungsitoli was capable of creating monumental works of art that combined aesthetics, social function, and spirituality in one eternal stone form.