Trad. BATAK WEDDING @Lake Toba Sumatra - H. Delago Manik & D. Sidabutar (2000)

Thanks to Jutta Jahn-Wessely (Austria) for filming and editig

A DAY OF JOY AND COLORS by Evelin Juen, Austria
It's 5 clock in the morning. The bride is adorned for the event. Her jet black hair has been interwoven with countless, delicate white flowers on a high plugged artwork.. The street is closed off, colourfull banners are in place.
Plastic mats on the floor, large speakers, someone thinks of the microphones for the band. Several pigs and many chickens have lost their lives and are to be dismantled under the huge boilers which serve as pots, the smoke of the fire begins to climb. The colorful wedding procession comes to the rocky road of beaten earth and approaches the small Catholic Church. From the other direction, with flying cassock and windswept beard, the Dutch priest on his motorbike. Dina is beautiful and full of grace, the dignity of a princess. The sun's rays make the silver threads of lace on her blouse sparkle, the noble, finely woven fabric of sarongs shining in the light faces are beaming and the excitement is growing. Then into the church, which is bathed in blue, green and yellow tinted glass windows in colored twilight. The modestly furnished house of God is filled with a solemnity that is caused by praying people in their melodious language. Different nationalities and words found in “Our Father” find a common rhythm. Tyrolean, North German, Swedish, English and Batak merge into a language beyond words that is a touching force. The voices swell, bear the words to the common Amen. A women's choir sings, Kahel Gibran as reading in Indonesian with Tyrolean dialect. Then silence, as the rings are exchanged: Rosdiana Sidabutar Delago and Hermann Delago Manik. Infront of a simple carved wooden cross on the wall stands, the priest his arms raised high, he blesses a piece of cloth. Dinas parents lay the patterned scarf made of finely brushed, fine cotton around the shoulders of the newlyweds.
The traditional 'ulos' plays an important role in the life of the Batak and ritual gift at all major ceremonies. It connects the pair, it brings together the relationship. A few grains of rice scattered on their heads inclined and the marriage officially ended. The ecclesiastical blessing and the blessing of the family ancestors and the gods of the ancient Batak were added. The pair is connected. Slowly there is movement in the room. Everywhere laughing people rustling and childrens voices, flashing cameras. A series of well-wishers attract Dina and Hermann’s attention and shout loudly 'Horas, Horas, Horas' - good luck! The band starts to play, Hermann and Dina are asked for the opening dance and soon the road is full of revelers. Sitting everywhere, standing, chatting people of all ages, countless ceremonies are held. More and more guests show up and all are taken care of. Dishes with rice and spicy fried meat trimmings wander from hand to hand, water in small plastic bags are distributed, and on wooden tables at the edge of the road fruits and coconuts. A pig, coarsely chopped into several pieces is draped on a large plate this is touched by all on the ground seated family members with their hands. Unintelligible words are mumbled, the importance of the action is serious. It is the prelude to one of those ritual actions, which strengthen the relationship between the margas. Disagreements, misunderstandings, disputes among clan members are symbolically adjusted by the common touch of the plate, cohesion and social harmony within the family is restored. The bride and groom sit opposite the bride parents. Two big fish, gifts of Toba lake, lie on a plate in the middle. The wedding banquet for the newlyweds. Towards evening the sky becomes coated with a pink veil, the heat of the day slowly gives way to the darkness. Many of the older relatives and friends have left the party. Dinas brother has taken some of the guests home on Hermann’s scooter. Tirelessly, the bride is on the hard-packed ground of the dance floor. The groom is surrounded by his new family, hugs, pats on the back, welcomes him into the family.
In the small, open wooden house, the clothes shop, small supermarket and cafe, friendships are growing. The hours are passed in a rush, The festival comes to an end. The band has stopped playing, most lights in the houses are extinguished. Many young people are still sitting huddled together, the Tyrolean delegation is still assembled complete. Then suddenly alluring guitar sounds come from the darkness. Hermann stands in front of the microphone. Gently, he starts one of the traditional folk songs of Batak to sing a love song for his wife. More and more people come from the wedding party, countless pairs of eyes are fixed on him, but he seems not to see anything. The sounds float, envelop, gaining fervor and vehemence. He plays and sings the music with passion, a love song for his wife and they love him for it, because it is the direct route to their hearts.
(Translation by Marlies Green)

Видео Trad. BATAK WEDDING @Lake Toba Sumatra - H. Delago Manik & D. Sidabutar (2000) канала Delago