Geosite Bakara – Tipang – Baktiraja

Cultural Aspects

The Aek Sipangolu spring comes out of the fracture system aquifer in the welded Toba tuff. The myth of Aek Sipangolu, “Aek Sipangolu” which is located in Simangulampe Village, Baktiraja District, Humbahas Regency, is believed to be able to cure various diseases, including leprosy and mental illness. It is said that Sisingamangaraja always visited his aunt’s house (namboru) in Pandumaan Baktiraja. On his journey he always rode a horse called the “White Elephant”. One day, on his way home from his namboru house, he felt thirsty and stuck his stick into the ground and water came out which was called “Aek Lip”, so called because the King drank directly from his own mouth. This location can be reached via 2 land routes. namely from Muara Taput and Doloksanggul Humbahas. The Dolok Sanggul route can be quickly traversed because the road to the location is good. The spring at the top of this hill continues to flow into a small river and empties into Lake Toba Beach. Before the water of life reaches Lake Toba, the bathing location here is divided into three levels, namely: the first or lowest level is a bathing place for people suffering from leprosy. , the second level is for mentally ill people while the third level is a public bathing area. Because of its properties which can cure various diseases, “AekBibir” changed its name to “AekSipangolu” which means Water of Life. Until now, the belief in the sacredness of “Aek Sipangolu” is still maintained, even many people who intend to achieve their dreams come to this place.

Sicepat-besaron stones are found in the villages of Bakkara and Tipang in Humbang Hasundutan Regency. For the people in these two villages, the Sicepat Katakanon stone is believed to be a place where rituals related to agricultural culture are carried out, especially in planting rice. This stone can be used as a reference for the type of rice plant that will be planted in the following season. This location is in the Bakara Tipang Geosite area.

On this Geosite there is the Sisingamangaraja Palace, who was one of the heroes who took part in fighting against the Dutch colonialists in Batak land, namely King Sisingamangaraja XII. According to historical records, his supernatural powers enabled him to lead troops in important situations, for example, when they were thirsty, he stuck out his staff to ask for water no matter where they were. He died as a national hero in 1907, buried at Pagar Batu Sopo Surung Balige.