Jakarta, IO – The indigenous people of Sihaporas held the Manganjab ritual in May. This ritual is carried out to ask for bountiful harvest for the customary village.
According to the Archipelago Indigenous Peoples Alliance (AMAN) via aman.or.id, this ritual was held at the Ambarita Sihaporas Ompu Mamontang Laut (LAMTORAS) customary council in Sihaporas village, Pematang Sidamanik district, Simalungun regency, North Sumatra, Wednesday (24/5).
The indigenous community started the ritual by presenting offerings, including white goat, free-range chicken, kaffir lime and betel leaves.
This offering is made to Ompu Mula Jadi Nabolon (God Almighty) and King Sisingamangaraja to ask for good health and sustenance, and are kept away from all misfortunes and diseases.
Saul Ambarita, a village elder, stated that the Manganjab ritual was routinely held according to the Batak calendar in May every year by the descendants of Ompu Mamontang Laut Ambarita.
Saul explained that usually this ritual begins with Martonggo or mass praying led by the village elders.