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Thematic: Geo – Bio Diversity
- Monkey Forest, Sibaganding Limestone
- Patrajasa, Welded YTT tilt blocks
- Parapat, semi-welded non-welded YTT
Geological Aspects
It is said that the legend of Batu Gantung in society is the incarnation of a Batak Boru Sinaga woman who was confused about choosing a life partner. Between her parents’ choice and another man she loves. Then he went to the edge of Lake Toba to end his life. But instead he fell into a dark stone hole. The woman shouted, “Parapaaatttt…..stone.” then, slowly the stone vibrated and closed. The bottom part breaks into the water of Lake Toba, so it becomes a hanging rock.
However, from the Panoramic Geology aspect, the landscape of the Sibaganding Formation limestone unit, which is Mesozoic (250 million) years ago, is located on the eastern edge of Lake Toba, precisely on the Parapat – Medan highway, composed of packstone limestone, gloconitic grainstone, mudstone – sandstone intercalations and conglomerate (left) and karstified aspects of limestone observed from the direction of Lake Toba, known as ‘hanging rocks’ (right). The welded ignimbrite rock (OTT) exposed in the Pertamina Cottage area is a product of the Porsea Caldera eruption. The welded ignimbrite rock (OTT) exposed in the Ajibata area is a product of the Porsea Caldera eruption.
The location of the Geological Site (Geosite) is administratively located in Girsang Sipanganbolon District, Simalungun Regency, North Sumatra Province. Geosite Geographical Coordinates are N 02º 41’33.7”; E 098º 55′ 36.3”
The oldest Toba Tuff (OTT) rocks exposed in the Pertamina Cottage area are welded ignimbrite rocks, which are the product of the eruption of the Porsea Caldera. This rock unit is found around the Uluan peninsula, and on the steep slopes on the shores of Lake Toba. The youngest Toba Tuff (YTT) rocks can be found covering the entire height, especially on the plateau of the caldera walls, while on the inside of the caldera there are no YTT deposits, except in the Uluan block area.
Biological Aspects
There is biological potential at the Sibaganding Geosite in the form of gibbons, long-tailed monkeys, wild boars, civets, pangolins, porcupines, black cats, squirrels, bats, slow lorises, snakes, chili snakes, land/rice field snakes, spoon snakes, monitor lizards, lizards, etc. in this Geosite area, and reproduce according to the life cycle.
The potential flora is candlenut (Allecurites mollucana) which is a spice in almost many Batak dishes. The parts used are seeds which contain quite a lot of fat and are used for medicines, shallots, sugar palm trees, mangoes, coffee, rice, cloves, corn, bananas, etc. Apart from that, there is a 50 hectare protected forest located in Batu Lubang Sibaganding Village. , about 40 km from Pematangsiantar. This place is a monkey habitat, which in 1986 consisted of macaques, macaques and gibbons. At this time all that remained were the monkeys and macaques. They are divided into 13 groups. Each group numbered around 100 individuals; led by 5 parents. These monkeys can be called by the handler using a trumpet made from buffalo horn.
Cultural Aspects
The Dihar and Huda – Huda Tolping dances to welcome guests to greatness are a series that complement each other. Porsa cloth (plain white cloth) is used in mourning and tied on men’s heads to indicate their closest family.
Tinuktuk is a typical food from Simalungun. Just like other types of Batak food which have a spicy taste, Tinuktuk also has a slightly “biting” taste, this is because the main ingredients are red ginger and galangal. It tastes spicy, hot and like chili sauce in general, it is suitable for increasing appetite. Tinuktuk is very popular in Simalungun, especially for mothers giving birth. Tinuktuk has properties similar to herbal medicine. Apart from increasing appetite, which is needed by mothers who will breastfeed their babies, Tinuktuk is also efficacious in increasing the body’s immune system. Tinuktuk can also help warm the body from hostile weather.
Simalungun culture, which is an annual event, is the Rondang Bintang Party (harvest party) where a party gives thanks to the Almighty for the harvest obtained. Apart from that, Dayok Binatur (Traditional Culinary), a type of culinary dish to be given to someone to get blessings or success. Rumah Bolon Pematang Purba is a Heritage Site of the Simalungun Kingdom.
