Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Mini Research Karo Group (E & F)
Mini Research Karo Group (E & F)
Arranged By :
Aisyara Sufi Hadisthy (2212421004)
Balqis Aulia Sukma Bangun (2213121026)
Belinda Fergie Siahaan (2213121041)
Bella Pitaloka Br Kembaren (2213321049)
Cynthia Romauli Sinurat (2213321053)
Delvi roito Purba (2213221047)
Taftazani Dwilasta Ramdiaz (2211121010)
Viviani Carolina Sidabutar (2213121055)
ENGLISH EDUCATION
FACULTY OF LANGUAGE AND ART
UNIVERSITAS NEGERI MEDAN
OCTOBER 2022
PREFACE
Praise and gratitude to the presence of God Almighty for all the abundance of His
grace and guidance, so that we can complete the preparation of this report to Fulfill the Tasks
of the Budaya dan Kepariwisataan Sumut Project. Hopefully, the preparation of this report
can be used as a reference and guide for readers.
The author would like to thank Dr.Masitowarni Siregar, M.Ed as a Lecturer for the
Budaya dan Kepariwisataan Sumut Course who has entrusted this task to us, so it really helps
us to deepen our knowledge in the field of study that is related to the field of study is being
pursued.
The authors also thank all those who have shared their knowledge with us, so that
this report can be completed on time. There is no ivory that is not cracked, we realize that
this report is far from perfect. Therefore, we expect criticism and suggestions for the
perfection ofthis report.
Karo’s Group
TABLE OF CONTENT
PREFACE ................................................................................................................................. 2
TABLE OF CONTENT........................................................................................................... 3
CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................ 4
A. Background Of Study ................................................................................................. 4
B. Purpose Of Study ........................................................................................................ 4
C. Benefits Of Study ........................................................................................................ 4
CHAPTER II LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................................... 5
A. Karo Ethnic ................................................................................................................. 5
B. Kerja Tahun Tradition ................................................................................................. 5
C. Cimpa .......................................................................................................................... 6
CHAPTER III RESEARCH METHOD ................................................................................ 7
A. Types of Research ....................................................................................................... 7
B. Object of Research ...................................................................................................... 7
C. Data Source and Type ................................................................................................. 7
D. Data Collection Methods ............................................................................................. 7
E. Data Analysis Techniques ........................................................................................... 8
CHAPTER IV RESULTS AND DISCUSSION .................................................................... 9
CHAPTER V CLOSING....................................................................................................... 14
A. Conclusion................................................................................................................. 14
B. Suggestion ................................................................................................................. 14
REFERENCES....................................................................................................................... 15
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
A. Background Of Study
Culture is part of humans because it is a culture that guides human values, beliefs, behavior,
and interactions with other humans. Tylor gives a definition of culture, according to him
'culture is the complex collection of knowledge, belief, art, law, morals, customs, and any other
capabilities or habits acquired by man as a member of society. Thus, culture is something we
take from the privileged space of artistic production and specialized knowledge into our daily
life experiences. Culture can be seen in terms of its form and elements.
Etymologically, the word 'tourism' comes from Sanskrit, which consists of two words,
namely 'pari' and 'wisata'. The word pari means 'together' or 'to garoundd' and the word tourism
means 'to travel'. Furthermore, in the Big Indonesian Dictionary (KBBI) it is revealed that
tourism can be defined as travel, namely activities related to travel for recreation. In Law
Number 10 of 2009 concerning Tourism, it is also explained that tourism is a variety of tourism
activities and is supported by facilities and services provided by the local community together
with tourists and the local government. Tourism is the sum total of the symptoms arising from
the journey and the process of inhabiting foreigners, as well as through the passage of a
particular country, city, and region.
Regional specialties are foods that are often or commonly consumed in an area with
characters that usually reflect the character of the community. The characteristics of typical
food in each region are definitely different. This is due to differences in culture and food
ingredients available in each region, resulting in a variety of foods with
differencharacteristicsrs. In this paper, we will discuss regional food from the Karo ethnic.
Cimpa is the regional food of the Karo tribe. Cimpa is one of the most important foods for
Karo people. Cimpa must be in every implementation of traditional Karo ethnic events.Cimpa
must be presented during the event of a traditional wedding party, annual work or Merdang
Merdem, and death. If a Cimpa is not presented in one of these traditional events, then the event
is considered lacking and imperfect.
B. Purpose Of Study
1. Fulfill the task of the North Sumatra Culture and Tourism Course Project
2. Increasing public interest in knowing Karo Ethnic Specialty Food
3. Introducing Karo Ethnic Specialty Food to various other regions.
C. Benefits Of Study
This mini research was conducted with the aim of gaining knowledge related to food and
Karo customs. By doing this mini-research, students know how to make Cimpa and Customs
made with these foods. This proves that it is not only to increase knowledge but also expertise
to make Karo specialties.
CHAPTER II
LITERATURE REVIEW
A. Karo Ethnic
Regarding ethnic origins, there are several versions. Brahma Putro in 'Karo Dari Zaman Ke
Zaman' connects with the Haru Delitua kingdom, (around the 16th century) and the aggression
of the Aceh sultanate. Nilakamsastri in Sitepu, et al relates its history to Indian traders in Barus
who settled and mingled with the local population. As a result of the riots, they also moved and
some spread to the Karo area. Another version states that the Karo ethnic group is a Proto-
Malay group who was pushed into the mountains due to the arrival of Deutro Melayu. All of
these opinions are based on certain evidence.
The Karo Ethnic are an indigenous tribe who inhabit Karo Regency or better known as
Taneh Karo. The Karo people are usually better known as the kalak Karo or its meaning in
Indonesian is the Karo people. The Karo Batak tribe has the merga silima or five main clans,
namely Tarigan, Perangin-angin, Ginting, Karo-karo and Sembiring. Each main clan has a sub
clan which is usually used by the kalak Karo at the end of its name. Kalak Karo communicates
using the Karo language and has various types of traditional events that are held at certain times
with certain goals, such as erpangir ku lau, nengget, and merdang merdem (Sembiring, 2009;
Brahmana et al., 2009; Surbakti, 2014).
C. Cimpa
Cimpa, which is a typical Karo food which is usually served on a series of Kerja Tahun
events, is made on the sixth day which is also known as nimpa. Nimpa is an activity carried
out by the local community to make a special Karo food, namely Cimpa. Cimpa is made from
glutinous rice which contains grated coconut mixed with brown sugar and then wrapped in
singkut leaves or in Karo is bulung singkut. Cimpa is cooked by steaming. The cimpa will later
become the souvenirs of the guests, in this tradition it feels incomplete if there is no cimpa.
CHAPTER III
RESEARCH METHOD
A. Types of Research
This research uses qualitative research methods, that qualitative research methods are a
process that emphasizes investigating or interviewing directly to objects so that the results of
the data cannot be manipulated.
B. Object of Research
This research was conducted to find out how the year works in the karo community. The
object in this study is parents who are batak karo tribes and understand about the work of the
year and cimpa.
Karo is one of the Batak ethnics in North Sumatra. Karo ethnic is a dynamic ethnic that
spreads even during its geographical visit, such as the districts of Langkat, Deli Serdang, and
Dairi. The capital of Karo Regency is Kabanjahe. Kari ethnic has a variety of cultures which
are certainly different from those of other ethbic. Some of the Karo ethnic's cultures include
kerja tahun, Mengket Mbaru Mbaru, Mbesur-Mbesuri, Ngalar Utang Adat, and many more. In
addition to a diverse culture, the Karo ethnic also has special foods from the area. The typical
foods of the Karo ethnic include cimpa, cipera, lemang/rires, Pagit-pagit/terites, kidu-kidu, and
others. In addition to their culture and special food, the Karo ethnic is also rich in dances,
musical instruments, traditional songs and abundant natural products.
One of the cultures that exist in the Karo is “Kerja Tahun” or annual party. During “Kerja
Tahun”, many Karo specialties food are usually served, one of which is cimpa unung-unung.
Cimpa unung-unung is the hallmark of the “Kerja Tahun”. Although there are many types of
cimpa, cimpa unung-unung will still be selected during the “Kerja Tahun”. It is very easy to
find cimpa unung-unung during the “Kerja Tahun”. However, this food is rarely made on
ordinary days by the Karo people.
To clarify about Kerja Tahun and cimpa unung-unung, we have collected data through
interviews, reading journals, and collecting qualitative data to provide additional information
related to this activity.
The data from the respondens about Kerja Tahun and Cimpa Unung-Unung :
Based on the result of the research we have done related to the Kerja Tahun and cimpa
unung-unung, we got the following data.
Kerja Tahun is a celebration as a form of gratitude for the harvest of the Karo ethnic which
is carried out once a year. Kerja Tahun is a tradition carried out by every village, where this
event is an opportunity for every family to stay in touch. Karo people who migrate usually go
home during this event so they can meet their family and distant relatives or in Karo language
it is known as the phrase “Mburo ate tedeh” which has the same meaning as treat longing; to
family, hometown, and friends.
Kerja Tahun of the Karo people is not carried out simultaneously. There are those who
celebrate at the beginning of the planting season, when the rice begins to leaf, turn yellow, and
when it is harvested. Kerja Tahun is also known as merdang merdem, nimpa bunga benih,
ngerires, and mahpah. Each sub-district usually has a different time to do Kerja Tahun.
However, villages within one sub-district usually have the same Kerja Tahun date. If different,
Kerja Tahun date of the village will be a few days different and still in the same month.
The meaning of Kerja Tahun is as a form of gratitude to God for the blessings given to the
harvest so that it continues and increases. In addition, Kerja Tahun function is to maintain good
relations and communication within the family, where during Kerja Tahun all families will
meet and gather. During Kerja Tahun, we can get to know more about our family and the speech
we should use to communicate. In addition, for young people, it can be used as a place to get
acquainted and find “impal” or a mate and introduce a partner to their parents.
During Kerja Tahun event, Gendang Guro-Guro Aron (GGA) is usually held. Without
GGA, Kerja Tahun will feel less, because it will be boring for the community because there is
no entertainment. GGA is usually done at night until the morning for 2 days. GGA performed
the Karo dance “Landek sada tan” and other dances accompanied by traditional Karo musical
instruments. Where the dancers in the GGA are village youths who can only dance with their
impal. In addition, the GGA event is usually enlivened by other guest stars such as singer Karo
and perkolong-kolong. This GGA event is a place to get acquainted for young people by talking
while dancing or after each other.
Kerja Tahun date system is usually based on the Karo calendar. Kerja Tahun date should
not be made arbitrarily, it must be adjusted to the Karo tribal calendar. Given the Karo calendar
there are days that are believed to be not good for certain activities. Calendar Kerja Tahun can
be seen by people who know to see a good date (siniktik wari).
In ancient times Kerja Tahun was carried out for 7 days starting from cikor-kor, cikurung,
ndurung, mantem, matana, nimpa, and rebu. But now this event is usually done for 2 or 3
days. Generally now it is done for 2 days, namely "mantem and matana". Mantem which
means to cut; usually cut beef or pork. On the second day is called matana where on this day
as a gathering event by visiting each relative's house and eating in each house together.
Foods that are usually served at Kerja Tahun include rendang, soup, curry, trites, cimpa,
tape, lemang, gat-gat, kuling-kuling, lomok-lomok, and many more. Of course adjusted to
the ability of the host. That way, we can find many Karo specialties food during Kerja Tahun.
During the GGA event, the clothes worn by young people who danced were Karo
traditional clothes. Clothing for men includes shirts, beka buloh, sarongs, trousers, shoes.
While the clothes for women include kebaya, skirt, tudung (kelam-kelam, uis ambir-ambir
emas, beka buloh), and langge-langge (uis nipes, ragi barat). Especially for the bapa aron
(who manages the male dancers) added with bulang-bulang and specifically for nande aron
(who manages the female dancers) plus a jujungan on the hood.
As for during Kerja Tahun, the host usually makes cimpa unung-unung to the guests who
come. Making cimpa unung-unung as a tradition that has been carried out by the ancestors
of the Karo people from ancient times during Kerja Tahun. Its distinctive packaging is
singkut leaves which are commonly found in the Karo land forest. This leaf is specifically
used to wrap the cimpa unung-unung. For other types of cimpa usually wrapped in banana
leaves. Cimpa unung-unung symbolizes the sweet taste of an abundant harvest. In general,
cimpa unung-unung is used as a gift to guests who come as a sign of having done years of
work. There is a year's work, there must be a cimpa, so this cimpa is the hallmark of Kerja
Tahun.
Cimpa is one of the most important foods for the Karo people. Cimpa must be present at
every Karo tribal event. Cimpa must be presented at traditional weddings, annual work or
merdang merdem, and death. If the cimpa is not presented in one of these traditional events,
then the event is considered lacking and imperfect. One of the famous culinary in the Karo
Tribe is Cimpa Unung Unung. The uniqueness of this food lies in the leaf (wrapper) of the
food known as Singkut Leaf.
B. Suggestion
It is hoped that today's youth are able to continue to carry out the traditions that have
been passed down from generation to generation so that they are not forgotten. Therefore, it
is important for the Karo people and surrounding areas to know the work traditions of the
year.
REFERENCES
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Tahun. Jurnal Pendidikan, Ilmu Sosial, dan Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat, 149-156.
Ginting, J. S. (n.d.). “ KERJA TAHUNAN “, PESTA TRADISI MASYARAKAT KARO.
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