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
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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
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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
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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
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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