Simalungun Museum

Upholding the Dignity of Habonaron Do Bona: Tracing Cultural Footprints at Simalungun Museum

Located in the heart of Pematangsiantar City, North Sumatra, Simalungun Museum stands not merely as a repository of ancient artifacts, but as a cultural epicenter that revives the philosophy of Habonaron Do Bona (Truth is the Foundation of Everything). Established in 1939 by the Simalungun Kings (Raja Marpitu), this museum is one of the oldest active cultural institutions in Indonesia, diligently preserving the ethnic identity of the Simalungun people amidst the currents of modernization.

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Rumah Bolon Architecture as a Symbol of Identity

The physical structure of Simalungun Museum itself is its most striking cultural artifact. The main building adopts the architectural style of Rumah Bolon, the traditional house of the Simalungun people. With its sharply curved roof and sturdy wooden foundation built without nails, this structure represents the social hierarchy and cosmology of the local community. The carvings or Pinar adorning the wooden walls—such as the Pinar Bunga Hambili and Pinar Silobe-lobe motifs—are not mere decorations, but symbols of prayer, protection, and mutual cooperation that form the lifeblood of the Simalungun community.

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Preservation of Traditional Arts and Performance Programs

Simalungun Museum actively serves as a platform for the preservation of increasingly rare performing arts. One of its primary focuses is the development of Gual music (traditional music ensemble) which utilizes Gonrang Sipitu-pitu and Gonrang Sidua-dua instruments. Periodically, the museum holds open practice sessions for the younger generation to learn the specific drumming techniques used for traditional ceremonies and entertainment.

In addition to music, traditional dances or Doding and Tortor are central to the cultural activities here. Tortor Sombah, a dance of respect to the king or esteemed guests, is taught strictly according to its original form. Visitors often have the opportunity to witness the dancers practicing while wearing Hiou (traditional Simalungun woven cloth) with Surisuri or Ragi Pane motifs, offering a profound visual experience of Simalungun ethnic attire aesthetics.

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Handicrafts and Revitalization of Hiou Weaving

As a cultural hub, the museum plays a vital role in ensuring the continuity of traditional crafts. The main focus of craft education here is the introduction to Hiou. Unlike Toba's Ulos, Simalungun's Hiou possesses softer colors and motifs that are rich in symbolic meaning. The museum provides space for artisans to demonstrate the traditional weaving process.

The "Learn to Weave" program is aimed at the local community to ensure ancient weaving techniques do not disappear. Besides weaving, the museum also exhibits and teaches the creation of woven items from pandanus and bamboo, such as Sumpit (traditional bags) and Tikar Pandan (pandanus mats), which were once essential household items for the Simalungun people.

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Educational Programs and Community Engagement

Simalungun Museum does not wish to be a static institution. Through the "Museum Goes to School" program, the management collaborates with the Pematangsiantar city government to bring replica collections and cultural resource persons to schools. The goal is to instill a sense of pride in local identity from an early age.

Within the museum complex, there is a mini-library that houses historical records, ancient manuscripts written on tree bark (Pustaha Laklak), and documentation regarding the genealogy of the Simalungun kings. Researchers and students often use this museum as a living laboratory to study the linguistics of the Simalungun language, which has its own distinct dialect and script.

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Cultural Events and Annual Festivals

One of the most crucial moments in the museum's activity calendar is the commemoration of Pematangsiantar City's anniversary and the Pesta Rondang Bittang celebration. Although this grand festival is often held at the regency/city level, Simalungun Museum acts as the primary curator to ensure the ritual and artistic aspects displayed remain authentic.

During specific events, the museum organizes Inggot performances, a tradition of gathering to listen to folk tales or oral histories from the adat elders (Partonggo). This activity serves as intergenerational knowledge transfer, where moral values are embedded within narratives of heroism and local mythology.

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Role in Intangible Heritage Preservation

The collections of Simalungun Museum encompass more than just physical objects. The institution is committed to preserving intangible heritage such as oral traditions and traditional medicine. In a corner of the museum, visitors can see various tools of Datu (traditional healers/shamans) and explanations about medicinal plants commonly used by the Simalungun people.

Efforts to digitize Pustaha Laklak manuscripts have also begun. These manuscripts contain knowledge about astrology, medicinal concoctions, and ancient spells. By digitizing this content, Simalungun Museum ensures that ancestral knowledge can be accessed by global researchers without damaging the original, fragile manuscripts.

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Museum as a Motor for Local Cultural Development

The presence of Simalungun Museum in Pematangsiantar has a significant impact on the development of local culture. The museum serves as a meeting point for various creative communities, from photographers documenting ethno-photography to modern designers seeking inspiration from traditional Simalungun motifs.

Through collaboration with adat institutions, the museum also functions as a mediator in standardizing the use of cultural attributes in official regional events. This is important to prevent cultural distortion that often occurs due to tourism commercialization. With Simalungun Museum, every use of cultural symbols has a strong historical reference and can be accounted for.

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Conclusion: Looking Towards the Future

Simalungun Museum has proven that a cultural center can endure through time if it can integrate with the communal spirit of its people. It is not merely an old, dusty building, but a dynamic institution that continuously produces knowledge, trains skills, and keeps the flame of Simalungun Sa-Huta spirit alive.

Amidst the onslaught of global culture, Simalungun Museum stands firm as a beacon reminding the people of Pematangsiantar and its surroundings that future progress will never be solid without strong cultural roots. By continuing its educational programs, art performances, and artifact conservation, the museum ensures that the noble heritage of the Simalungun Kings will remain eternal, passed down from one generation to the next in harmony and truth.