To a Batak Writer: Opung Saut Poltak Tambunan

I would like to thank OPUNG Saut Poltak Tambunan. This Opung Tambunan already published more than 70 books, some in Indonesian language, some in Batak, and some are already translated into English.

Thank you Opung Tambunan! I have just got the books you sent me yesterday: PARUMAEN NI DA INANG, BOAN AHU MULAK, DON'T GO JONGGI, and KIAT SUKSES MENGARANG NOVEL.

One of the books is in English: DON'T GO JONGGI! Thank you Opung for signing the book for me: "UNTUK PAULINA SIHALOHO. HORAS! SAUT POLTAK TAMBUNAN. SEPTEMBER 24, 2024.

Don't Go Jonggi!,  is an ANTHOLOGY OF A SHORT STORIES. This book was given to me for free. Thank you so much Opung! Thank you for being a WRITER, thank you for writing also in Batak Dialect.

Yesterday I read "DON'T GO JONGGI",  a story of a young man who finally decided to go to Jogjakarta with his former classmate in Balige' Binsar. Jonggi already finished his high school in Balige for two years when Binsar came to the village. Jonggi was the only one from his class left in the village. He really wanted it to leave the village despite the objections of his mother and other relatives. They wanted him to stay in the village; they would like to do and give him whatever he liked so long as he stayed.

Jonggi was the youngest son in his family. His father passed away already. He was expected to stay in the village to take various kind of responsibilities on behalf of his clan, marga.

At the end of the story, his mother did allow him to leave the village. She escorted him without telling their relatives who did persuade Jonggi to stay.

The mother then was left alone in the village together with other relatives from his paternal side.

The Bataks, especially the Toba folks are well known for their spirit to leave their original places, their villages, their huta.

For example, the family and relative on my maternal side left Samosir Island long time ago. They settled out side of the island in Simalungun Regency called Tolong Bosar.

The father of my father, my grandfather, left Samosir Island and married to a Simalungun girl, my grandmother. My great grandparents on my paternal side were left alone in the island. Their home has been emptied since they both passed away. None of their 10 children, hundreds of grandchildren and great grandchildren live in the island.

In Simalungun Regency, only one sibling of my mother lives in the village, the rest left and now live in different places. Similar with my paternal family, only one lives in the village while all of my father's siblings are also away at PERANTAUN, or diasporic places.

It is said that in the past, one of the reasons why the Bataks left their home village was to find a better way to make a living, especially from Samosir Island. The soil there is stony due to the fact that the island is the result of a volcanic eruption from long ago. Since the Bataks usually have many children as one of their prides, it does make sense to me that younger generation prefer to leave the island to look for a better life.

The Bataks are patriotic folks related to their homeland and culture. It is a common phenomenon that they do their best to attend their Adat events no matter where they live in the world. They are family oriented people. We can see how the Bataks, up until now manage to come home during Christmas and New Year to join their parents.

Even me, at the age of 12, I had to already leave my parents in the village due to my schooling. It is also a well know fact that the Bataks, in general, are fond of education. Parents usually manage all they can to send their children to school as high as possible. Parents expect that their children do their best at schools, even more for those who stay away from home.

I can tell you that more than a half of students at my school now leave their parents in their villages or cities in order for them to be able to continue their education. Meaning, the parents know that their children need better education at what they know better schooling.

I do admire the courage of parents, especially the Bataks on getting education for the children! Well, I wish all parents are in great health, great spirit.

I also admire the courage of a young Batak such as Binsar in this story, "DON'T GO JONGGI". Binsar left Balige and lived for a while with his Namboru (aunty) in Jogjakarta. In the morning, he worked to make a living as a parking-agent (tukang parkir), then he went to a university in the evening. It is a common story for many of the Bataks, how they leave their village and manage to do all they can at diaspora to live their life.***

If you like, do visit my YouTube Channel at : https://www.youtube.com/@paulinasihaloho2899, where I share stories based on my experience, thoughts and perspectives.