Profile
This post is also available in:
Indonesia (Indonesian)
A Historical Place with a Fascinating Story
Location and Access
The King Siallagan’s Stone of Judgment tourist attraction is located in Huta Siallagan, Ambarita Village, Simanindo District, Samosir Regency. Huta Siallagan is only about 5 km from Tomok, making it easily accessible by motorbike.
History of Huta Siallagan
Kampung Siallagan is an ancient village surrounded by 1.5-2 meter high stone walls. The village was founded by King Laga Siallagan, the first king of the huta, and is inhabited by the Siallagan clan, descendants of King Naiambaton and King Isumbaon (second son of King Batak).
Main Attraction: The Stone of Judgment
In Huta Siallagan, there are 8 Batak traditional houses that are hundreds of years old and the Hau Habonaron tree (the tree of truth). Near this tree is an anthropological site: the Stone of Judgment, which consists of two different arrangements of stones.
First Stone Arrangement: Place of Meeting and Trial
The first stone arrangement consists of stone chairs and tables for the king, queen, adat elders, kings from neighboring huta, guests, and datu/shamans. Here, the kings and adat elders held meetings and trials to judge criminals, violators of adat law, and political enemies.
Second Stone Arrangement: Place of Execution
Not far from the first stone arrangement, there is the second stone arrangement: a large, elongated stone for punishing guilty people or captured enemies by beheading. The convict was positioned face down with his neck in the hollow of the execution stone, and the executioner carried out the execution with a sharp sword.
Cannibalism Ritual
According to the story, after the execution, the Sang Datu would stab the convict’s heart with the Tunggal Panaluan wood, remove his heart and liver, and collect his blood in a bowl. This has led to the speculation that the Batak people used to practice cannibalism.
It is said that this ritual continued until the early 19th century, but was stopped after King Siallagan converted to Christianity.
Popular Tourist Destination
King Siallagan’s Stone of Judgment is a tourist village that is visited by many local and foreign tourists because of the interesting stories about punishment and cannibalism in Huta Siallagan. This place is one of the prima donna tourist attractions in Samosir.
Visiting Tips:
- Wear comfortable and modest clothing.
- Bring cash to pay for entrance tickets and souvenirs.
- Keep the place clean and respect local culture.
- Be careful when walking on the judgment stones.
- Ask permission before taking pictures of locals.
King Siallagan’s Stone of Judgment is a fascinating historical tourist attraction with a unique story and strong Batak culture. This place is a must-visit for tourists who want to learn about Batak history and culture in Samosir.
