Hilimaziaya Traditional Village

Exploring the Traces of Northern Nias Civilization in Hilimaziaya Traditional Village

Hilimaziaya Traditional Village is more than just a coordinate on the map of North Nias; it is a pulsating cultural heart amidst the currents of modernization. Located in the North Nias Regency, North Sumatra, Hilimaziaya stands as a bastion for the preservation of Nias identity, particularly the northern sub-ethnic group which possesses unique characteristics compared to the more commercially popular southern Nias region. As a Cultural Center, Hilimaziaya plays a dual role as a living museum and an incubator of creativity for the younger generation.

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Omo Hada Architecture: A Symbol of Resilience and Philosophy

Upon entering Hilimaziaya Traditional Village, visitors' eyes will immediately be drawn to the rows of Omo Hada—traditional North Nias houses. Unlike the generally tall and slender traditional houses of South Nias, the Omo Hada in Hilimaziaya have a more oval (elongated) structure. This architecture is not without reason; the oval shape is designed to provide maximum resistance to the earthquakes that frequently strike the Nias Islands.

Every element of the building, from the supporting pillars (ehomo) to the carvings on the wooden walls, reflects the social strata and spiritual values of the local community. In this cultural center, tourists and researchers can learn the techniques of joining wood without nails (pegs) that have been practiced for centuries. The preservation of this architecture is a primary program of the village to ensure that traditional carpentry skills are not lost to time.

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Richness of Performing Arts: Moyo Dance and Fatele

Hilimaziaya Traditional Village serves as the main stage for various performing arts rich in symbolic meaning. One of the most prominent is the Moyo Dance (Eagle Dance). This dance is performed by women with graceful yet powerful movements, imitating the flapping of an eagle's wings in the sky. The Moyo Dance symbolizes the freedom, loyalty, and nobility of Nias women.

In addition, there is the Fatele Dance, or war dance. Unlike the South Nias version, which is strongly associated with stone-jumping (Fahombo) performances, the Fatele Dance in Hilimaziaya emphasizes group coordination strategies and agility using shields (baluse) and spears (toho). This performance is usually held during ceremonies to welcome honored guests or major traditional celebrations, serving as a reminder of the ancestors' patriotic history in defending their territory.

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Handicrafts and Creative Economy

As a cultural center, Hilimaziaya actively empowers the community through the production of traditional handicrafts. One of its flagship products is the Bola Na’oto weaving, a traditional bag made from plant fibers. This weaving technique is taught from generation to generation at the village's training center to ensure that quality standards and motifs are maintained.

In addition to weaving, wood carving and brass jewelry making are also key focuses. Motifs such as Ni’o Talu Wo’o (fishbone motif) and Ni’o Gomo are often applied to household items and accessories. This program not only preserves art but also serves as a pillar of the creative economy for local residents, whose works are marketed as exclusive souvenirs from North Nias.

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Educational Programs and Community Engagement

One of the pillars of strength for Hilimaziaya Traditional Village is its community-based education program called Sanggar Budaya Hilimaziaya (Hilimaziaya Cultural Studio). This program requires every child in the village to learn the Nias regional language (Li Niha) with its distinctive northern dialect, as well as memorize family genealogies (Tarombo).

Every weekend, the village hall transforms into an open classroom. The traditional elders (Satua Mbanua) act as mentors, teaching the values of Omo Hada—not just the buildings, but the philosophy of life within them, such as honesty, mutual cooperation, and respect for elders. The active involvement of the younger generation ensures that cultural heritage does not just remain in history books but lives on in daily practice.

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Traditional Ceremonies and Annual Festivals

Hilimaziaya Traditional Village hosts various cultural festivals that attract domestic and international tourists. One of the most sacred moments is the Owasa ceremony, a grand traditional feast held as a form of thanksgiving or to bestow traditional titles. During Owasa, all villagers work together to prepare traditional dishes, perform prayer rituals, and present music performances with Aramba (gongs) and Faritia.

In addition to internal ceremonies, the village is also often the center of activities for the North Nias Cultural Festival. This festival features traditional sports competitions and exhibitions of local culinary specialties such as Gowi Nifufu (mashed taro) and Babahe. This festival serves as a platform for cultural diplomacy, introducing the uniqueness of Hilimaziaya to the outside world while strengthening ties between villages in North Nias.

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Preservation of Intangible Heritage and Strategic Role

Preservation efforts in Hilimaziaya are not limited to physical objects. The current main focus is the documentation of oral literature in the form of Hoho. Hoho is a poetic song without musical accompaniment that contains myths of human creation, customary law, and the history of ancestral migration. Given the decreasing number of Hoho speakers, this cultural center is digitizing recordings and transcribing texts so they can be studied by future researchers.

Strategically, Hilimaziaya Traditional Village functions as a model for culture-based village development. The North Nias Regency Government uses this village as a primary reference in developing sustainable tourism. By maintaining the authenticity of its environment and social structure, Hilimaziaya proves that economic progress can go hand in hand with the preservation of cultural roots.

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Safeguarding the Future Amidst Challenges

Challenges such as the influence of global popular culture and migration to big cities are real threats. However, Hilimaziaya Traditional Village responds to these challenges with innovation. They are beginning to integrate information technology in cultural promotion, using social media to document traditional activities, and opening "Live-in" programs where visitors can stay with residents to experience agrarian life and Nias culture firsthand.

Through the synergy between traditional elders, local government, and the spirit of the youth, Hilimaziaya Traditional Village stands tall as a cultural beacon in North Nias. It is not just a tourist destination, but a collective identity that defines who they are in the past, present, and future. The existence of Hilimaziaya affirms that in every wood carving and every dance step, lies the soul of a nation that will never be extinguished.