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Perceraian dalam masyarakat adat Batak Toba merupakan suatu fenomena hukum yang tidak dapat dilepaskan dari sistem kekerabatan dan nilai-nilai budaya yang hidup dalam masyarakat. Meskipun perceraian pada dasarnya dihindari, dalam praktiknya perceraian tetap dimungkinkan melalui mekanisme adat yang menitikberatkan pada musyawarah dan kesepakatan keluarga besar. Permasalahan muncul ketika perceraian yang dilakukan secara adat tersebut dihadapkan pada ketentuan hukum positif di Indonesia, khususnya Undang-Undang Nomor 1 Tahun 1974 tentang Perkawinan yang mensyaratkan perceraian harus dilakukan melalui putusan pengadilan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis mekanisme perceraian menurut adat Batak Toba serta mengkaji keabsahannya ditinjau dari Undang-Undang Nomor 1 Tahun 1974. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah yuridis normatif dengan pendekatan perundang-undangan, konseptual, dan kasus, serta menggunakan data sekunder berupa bahan hukum primer, sekunder, dan tersier yang dianalisis secara kualitatif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa mekanisme perceraian adat Batak Toba dilakukan melalui tahapan musyawarah keluarga dengan melibatkan unsur dalihan na tolu, dan memiliki kekuatan mengikat secara sosial dalam masyarakat adat. Namun, secara yuridis formal, perceraian tersebut tidak memiliki keabsahan hukum apabila tidak dilakukan melalui putusan pengadilan sebagaimana diatur dalam Undang-Undang Nomor 1 Tahun 1974. Oleh karena itu, perceraian adat hanya sah secara sosiologis, tetapi belum sah secara hukum negara. Diperlukan harmonisasi antara hukum adat dan hukum nasional agar tercipta kepastian hukum tanpa mengabaikan nilai-nilai kearifan lokal.

. The effort to re-visualize regional architectural elements combined with modern touches is known as neo-vernakular architecture. In North Sumatra, there are various ethnic groups, including Batak, Mandailing, Malay, and others, each possessing rich traditional architectural values. This study aims to identify and analyze traditional architectural elements applied to the façade of the North Sumatra Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) building. The DPRD North Sumatra building is one of the government buildings that functions as a workplace for representatives of the people, council members, and the secretariat in carrying out governmental duties and public services. The building is located on Jalan Imam Bonjol with an area of approximately 8,000 square meters. This study uses a qualitative descriptive method with data collection techniques through direct field surveys and literature studies related to the façade design of the DPRD North Sumatra building. The results show that the neo-vernakular character on the building façade is represented through several architectural elements, such as exposed columns, sunshading, opening forms, and other supporting elements that reflect a combination of traditional and modern architectural features.  

This article examines umpasa as the determinant of the validity of the Mangalahat Horbo ritual and as a vehicle for transmitting the cultural values of the Batak Toba people from an anthropolinguistic perspective. Mangalahat Horbo is a buffalo sacrifice ritual that functions simultaneously as a cosmological, political, and linguistic event. This study employs a descriptive qualitative approach using three theoretical frameworks: Dell Hymes' (1974) SPEAKING model to analyze the ritual as a speech event, Roland Barthes' (1968) semiotics to dissect the denotative and connotative meanings of umpasa, and Kluckhohn's (1953) theory of cultural values and Sibarani's (2014) local wisdom theory to identify embedded cultural values. The findings reveal that umpasa operates on three simultaneous layers of meaning: pragmatic-performative, social-hierarchical, and cosmological-ecological. Umpasa is not merely an aesthetic ornament but a constitutive element of the ritual that shapes the social and cosmological reality of the Bius community. Eight cultural values are identified: communicative courtesy, adat knowledge transmission, self-restraint, collective responsibility, cultural preservation, cosmological reciprocity, distributive justice, and ecological harmony. This study affirms the urgency of anthropolinguistic documentation of Mangalahat Horbo before the Parhata masters of umpasa diminish further.

This study aims to examine the gastronomy of the traditional culinary dish Ayam Napinadar as part of Batak cultural identity, covering aspects of history, ingredients, processing techniques, cultural values, and preservation challenges. The background of this research is based on the importance of maintaining the sustainability of traditional cuisine amid modernization and changes in consumption patterns. The method used is a qualitative approach through in-depth interviews with three informants, namely an MSME (Micro, Small, and Medium Eterprises) practitioner, a traditional leader, and a consumer. The results show that Ayam Napinadar has a unique characteristic in the use of andaliman and blood (gota) as its distinctive flavor. Traditionally, the cooking process involves grilling over firewood to produce a characteristic smoky aroma, although it has now shifted to more practical methods without altering the original recipe. From a cultural perspective, Ayam Napinadar holds symbolic meaning as an expression of prayers, blessings, and joy in various Batak traditional ceremonies. However, there are challenges in its preservation, such as the declining participation of younger generations in traditional activities and the increasing influence of modern foods. In conclusion, Ayam Napinadar functions not only as food but also as a medium for preserving cultural values and ethnic identity. This study provides benefits as a basis for developing gastronomic tourism and strategies for preserving traditional cuisine through education, collaboration, and the use of modern promotional media.

This study aims to analyze the symbolic meaning of the mangulosi tradition in Toba Batak traditional wedding ceremonies using Roland Barthes’ semiotic theory. This research employs a descriptive qualitative method, with data collected from visual media such as YouTube and TikTok, supported by informants familiar with Toba Batak culture. The findings reveal that meaning in the mangulosi tradition is constructed through three levels of signification: denotation, connotation, and myth. At the denotative level, mangulosi is understood as the act of giving ulos in a wedding ceremony. At the connotative level, ulos and the ritual process convey symbolic meanings such as blessings, protection, harmony, and the strengthening of social and kinship relationships. At the myth level, the tradition reinforces the cultural ideology that marriage is considered legitimate when it receives recognition and blessings from family and customary authorities. Quantitatively, the findings show that artifacts are dominated by visual connotative meanings (40%), while ritual actions emphasize non-verbal (30%) and verbal (20%) meanings. Therefore, the mangulosi tradition is not only a ceremonial practice but also a medium for preserving cultural identity and social values within the Toba Batak community.

This study examines the local wisdom values of the Javanese and Batak ethnic groups in maintaining harmony between humans and nature, as well as their relevance to shaping the spirituality of Generation Z. The research method used is descriptive qualitative with a library research approach. Data were obtained from books, scientific articles, and previous studies. The findings show that Memayu Hayuning Bawana and Habonaron Do Bona both emphasize balance and harmony among humans, nature, and God. These values can be applied by Generation Z to develop ecological spirituality rooted in local wisdom and aligned with modern challenges. This study contributes to strengthening the spiritual identity of young generations in the digital era through the revitalization of local wisdom values, The younger generation can find a more holistic and harmonious life guide, while strengthening their spiritual identity amidst the currents of globalization and digitalization. This research contributes to efforts to shape the character and spirituality of an environmentally conscious young generation, based on local wisdom.

This study explores the influence of career factors and economic independence on the phenomenon of late marriage in early adult women (aged 25-35 years) in Indonesia, especially in urban areas of North Sumatra such as Medan. Adopting a mixed-methods design, the study involved a quantitative survey of 250 career female respondents (with age criteria above 25 years old, unmarried, and a minimum income of the city UMR) using the Likert scale to measure career priorities as well as the financial independence index, complemented by logistic regression analysis to test causal relationships. Semi-structural interviews with 20 key informants uncovered an in-depth narrative about the trade-offs between professional ambitions (such as job promotion and income stability) and traditional marriage expectations. Key findings show that women with a bachelor's degree and above and an income of 1.5 times UMR tend to postpone marriage until the average age of 31.4 years, driven by the desire to achieve economic independence (regression coefficient β=0.42, p<0.01) as well as the flexibility of living without partner dependence. However, moderator factors such as Batak or Malay cultural pressures in Medan create internal conflicts, with 68% of respondents reporting social stress from family. Theoretically, the results support role conflict theory in modern family dynamics, while implications include recommendations for work-life balance-based pre-marital counseling programs and corporate policies to support high-quality marriages. This research contributes to the Indonesian family relations literature by highlighting the paradigm shift from patriarchal norms towards gender equality.

UMKM BPK Legend Batam is a Batak culinary business that serves Karo Roast Pork (BPK) as its main dish along with side dishes such as soup, saksang, and fried Indomie B2. In its operational activities, food product inventory management is still done manually and based on estimates, which can potentially lead to excess or shortages of ready-to-sell products. This situation can result in a decline in product quality, wasteful spending, and lost sales opportunities when demand increases. The objective of this community service activity is to design a more effective and efficient food product inventory control system through the application of the EOQ and ROP methods. The methods used include observation, interviews, and analysis of sales data and product availability per period. The results of the activity show that the application of EOQ is able to determine the optimal product inventory quantity, while ROP provides guidelines for the right time to replenish products. The product inventory control system that was designed helps BPK Legend MSMEs in reducing inventory costs, maintaining product availability, and supporting smooth service to customers.