Posts Tagged ‘Ambarita’


The stone chairs of Ambarita where tribal elders held council.
The stone chairs of Ambarita where tribal elders held council.
Ambarita is an ancient Batak tribal village on Samosir Island, in Lake Toba. It is located an hour’s walk northwest from Tuk Tuk or about 20 minutes by boat. I visited it together with a small group of AsiaExplorers members.

What makes Ambarita interesting, from an anthropological standpoint, is that during ancient times the Toba Batak people of Ambarita practised a form of carnibalism. What remains today is the cluster of stone chairs where the village elders held council. Whenever an enemy was captured, the elders would invite the rulers of neighbouring villages to a conference, to determine the fate of the victim. The victim is held in behind bars under one of the houses. Read the rest of this entry »

Restored Toba Batak houses in Ambarita. Unfortunately the roofing does not match the architecture.

Batak House around lake toba

A closer view of the tribal houses reveal intricate carvings. Read the rest of this entry »

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