People of Lake Toba Welcomes President Jokowi with Traditional Ceremony

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo was greeted by the people of lake Toba with a traditional Batak ceremony during a working visit in North Sumatra Province, Wednesday (02/02). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/Laily Rachev)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo was greeted by the people of lake Toba with a traditional Batak ceremony during a working visit in North Sumatra province, Wednesday (02/02).

Before boarding a ferry, President Jokowi was given a traditional Batak cloth ulos. Head of the Dalihan Natolu Traditional Institution of Toba regency, Jonang M.P. Sitorus, said that the ulos is a symbol of greetings from the people to their leader.

“Ulos Pinussaan means ulos of blessings, so we hope that the President is blessed by God in leading Indonesia and Indonesian Government. God will bless him with health and grace,” he explained.

The traditional ceremony continues with the sowing of rice. According to Jonang, the procession has the meaning of asking God for blessings and it is hoped that this blessing will come to guests who come to Batak land.

On that occasion, the President also drop kaffir limes into Lake Toba, symbolizing intergenerational basic values of the Batak people. The lime is expected to cure diseases and heal hearts of people in the Lake Toba area.

“The next procession is sprinkling holy water from a cup with banyan leaves. It is a symbol that ships sailing on Lake Toba are protected and blessed by God the Almighty,” he said. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/UN) (RI/MMB)