Huta Bargot and Its Unique Traditions

Huta Bargot is an old unique village in the western of Panyabungan, the capital city of Mandailing Natal Regency, North Sumatra. It is a long way from Medan. People in the Regency do not catagorize Huta Bargot as ‘off the beaten track’ because it is only eight kilometers from Panyabungan.
Bariba, a well-known name for Huta Bargot is situated on the banks of the Batang Gadis River. Pontoons play a significant role in connecting the area to other nearby areas. The villagers are 100% Mandailingese. They are all Muslims. They earn their living both by fishing and farming. A few elementary schools can be found here whereas the higher levels are not available. When the children of the village have completed their primary school their parents have to send them to Panyabungan so they can continue their study.
We know very well that every community of the world has their own traditions and the people of Huta Bargot do too. History has already proved, according to various researchers, that the so called globalisation era has completely changed our way of life. However, such an enormous phenomena does not work well in Huta Bargot. Inhabitants who occupy the region still conduct their anchestoral traditions tightly.
In most Indonesian communities it is normal for a male teenager meets his girlfriend in the evening between 7 pm and 10 pm. But in Huta Bargot this is considered to be an impolite indeed and is taboo. When a teenager plans to visit his girlfriend at night all he has to do is to visit her house. A girl usually waits for her boyfriend in her room. Soon after her boyfriend comes she gets close to a tiny hole made in the wall and her boyfriend, who stands outside, does the same. Then they can chat together. Their chat is in whispers. If they both want to physically make contact, the girl pushes out few pieces of her hair out through the hole and to her boyfriend. This way of dating is called ‘Mangkusip’.
The children of Huta Bargot also have a unique tradition called ‘Mangidup’. It is a tradition in which children are allowed by their parents to smoke any cigarettes they want. This lasts from the first day to seventh day of Lebaran and is meant to reward the children for they have been successful in performing their fast during Ramadhan. During this time you will see children enjoying their cigarettes. At the same time their pockets are full with at least three packs of cigarettes of different brands.