MAKNA SIMBOLIK DAN TAHAPAN PERNIKAHAN ADAT BATAK TOBA DALAM PERSPEKTIF SOSIAL BUDAYA

Abstrak

Pernikahan adat Batak Toba merupakan salah satu tradisi yang kaya akan nilai budaya dan filosofi kehidupan. Upacara ini memiliki tahapan yang harus dilalui, mulai dari Marhori-hori Dinding (musyawarah awal dalam keluarga), Marhusip (negosiasi awal), Martumpol (pertunangan gerejawi), hingga Pesta Unjuk (puncak pernikahan adat). Setiap tahap memiliki makna simbolik yang mendalam, seperti Sinamot yang mencerminkan penghormatan terhadap keluarga perempuan dan Ulos sebagai simbol doa serta restu. Dalam pernikahan adat Batak Toba, peran keluarga sangat penting, terutama dalam sistem Dalihan Na Tolu, dimana Hula-hula (keluarga pihak perempuan), Dongan Tubu (saudara satu marga), dan Boru (pihak perempuan dalam adat) memiliki tanggung jawab masing-masing. Selain itu, pernikahan adat Batak Toba memiliki ciri khas seperti adanya pembicaraan adat yang panjang, penggunaan ulos, serta pesta adat yang melibatkan seluruh keluarga besar. Namun, terdapat pula aturan pernikahan yang dilarang, seperti pernikahan sesama marga (pariban tertentu diperbolehkan dalam beberapa kasus) dan pernikahan yang melanggar aturan adat.

The Batak Toba traditional wedding is one of the traditions that is rich in cultural values and life philosophy. This ceremony has stages that must be passed, starting from Marhori-hori Dinding (initial deliberation in the family), Marhusip (initial negotiation), Martumpol (church engagement), to Pesta Unjuk (the peak of the traditional wedding). Each stage has a deep symbolic meaning, such as Sinamot which reflects respect for the woman's family and Ulos as a symbol of prayer and blessing. In the Batak Toba traditional wedding, the role of the family is very important, especially in the Dalihan Na Tolu system, where Hula-hula (the woman's family), Dongan Tubu (siblings of the same clan), and Boru (the woman's side in the tradition) have their respective responsibilities. In addition, the Batak Toba traditional wedding has characteristics such as long customary discussions, the use of ulos, and a customary party involving the entire extended family. However, there are also prohibited marriage rules, such as marriage within the same clan (certain pariban areallowed in some cases) and marriages that violate customary rule.