The Meaning of Merdang Merdem The Time of Celebrating Merdang Merdem

3. THE DESCRIPTION OF MERDANG MERDEM

3.1 The Meaning of Merdang Merdem

Merdang merdem or working annually is a celebration or people traditional party for Karonese in Karo regency. Merdang Merdem is celebrated every year and it is done usually in the certain month after the event of rice planting in the field or the crops has finished. This celebration is celebrated as giving thanks expressions to God because of rice planting or cultivating has finished. Karonese people belief that by celebrating this tradition party and praying to God in order to the rice and other crops will be blessed and helped by God, and then they will be free from the plant disease or infection and can produce the crops well and overflow. This event involves all members of society to make a relationship or solidarity and also as an event of seeking partner for the young people unmarried. In Merdang Merdem, Karonese people usually use Gendang Guro – Guro Aron to make the event merrily. The society come together in a place and then they having lunch or dinner and pray together as giving thanks to God. Although this event is presented as agriculture event, but the people who are not farmers can also join and celebrate in Merdang Merdem event. Besides for celebrating as giving thanks to God in agricultural aspect, working annually or Merdang Merdem is also done as symbol for economic glory in Karo. When Merdang Merdem has been done, of course there is livestock the 14 universitas Sumatera Utara rice left in keben rice barn for there staple food, and there is livestock as side dish, Karonese people are impossible to hold Merdang Merdem.

3.2 The Time of Celebrating Merdang Merdem

The time to celebrate the event of Merdang Merdem in Karo land is different, based on their calendar calculation after harvest period. Merdang Merdem is usually celebrated on March, July, August and other certain month. For instance, in Munthe sub district, they celebrate it on the 26 th days of Beraspati Merdem, which in Karonese calendar is usually on July. The implementation determining of Merdang Merdem on the certain month, based on Karonese calendar, because the society around there still believe the suitable day and month to give ritual offering and pray to forefather for asking help to Beraspati Taneh Dewa Penguasa Tanah the God of earth. In the area where is still strong for tradition, as usual Merdang Merdem is celebrated on determined month, based on calculation calendar of Karonese, calendar of Karo is same as commonly calendar, but there is have a name itself like name of month. There is the names of month in calendar of Karo, such as :  Sipaka sada month is goat month or January in calendar of Masehi  Sipaka dua month is lamp month or February in calendar of Masehi  Sipaka telu month is gaya worm month or March in calendar of Masehi  Sipaka empat month is frog month or April in calendar of Masehi  Sipaka lima month is arimo tiger month or May in calendar of Masehi  Sipaka enem month is kuliki eagle month or June in calendar of Masehi 15 universitas Sumatera Utara  Sipaka pitu month is wood month or July in calendar of Masehi  Sipaka waluh month is tambak pool month or August in calendar of Masehi  Sipaka siwah month is gayo crab month or September in calendar of Masehi  Sipaka sepuluh month is belobat baluat or balobat like a brassesclarinet month or October in calendar of Masehi  Sipaka sepuluh sada month is stone month or November in calendar of Masehi  Sipaka sepuluh dua month is nurung fish month or December in calendar of Masehi The days’ names in Karonese are like with Sansekerta’s words. Every date has certain meaning or message, therefore if someone wants to make a plan to the something such as; to go to some place that so far fight in the war, to enter a new house, and other activities. It is always done to see the best day which admit as the best time hold it. This is leading role of the below niktik wari instructor shamanindigenous medical practitioner who watches out the best day and month to do something, and by his prediction, he will suggest the people to do something on that day, so does with Merdang Merdem event, it should be done by following what shaman said or based on the Karo’s calendar. There is the name thirty days in a month in calendar of Karo : 1. Aditia 16 universitas Sumatera Utara 2. Suma 3. Nggara 4. Budaha 5. Beras pati 6. Cukra enem 7. Belah naik 8. Aditia naik 9. Sumana siwah 10. Nggara sepuluh 11. Budaha ngadep 12. Beras pati tangkep 13. Cukera dudu lau 14. Belah purnama raya 15. Tula 16. Suma cepik 17. Nggara enggo tula 18. Budaha gok 19. Beras pati 20. Cukra si 20 21. Belah turun 22. Aditia turun 23. Sumana mate 24. Nggara simbelin 17 universitas Sumatera Utara 25. Budaha medem 26. Beras pati medem 27. Cukrana mate 28. Mate bulan ngulak 29. Dalan bulan 30. Sami sara After harvesting time and then ready to plant again. The day and the place of celebration depend on the eager of the field owner. The society there believe that by starting Merdang Merdem from the morning, when Nangkih Matawari when the sun rises, it means the luck also raise like the sun until in the evening. The next day, it is continued to the climax of the party from in the morning until the midnight.

3.3 The Ways of Celebrating Merdang Merdem