The Structure of Karo Society The System of kinship

CHAPTER II REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.1 The Background of Karo Society

The Karo highland is mostly known as the place of Karo society to live. Although the bigger number of Karonese live outside the regency, the traditional custom of Karo people can be found in the Karo highland. Actually, the kinship in Karo society is very strong and it is caused by the existence of “tutur” the way of being acquaintance with someone dealing with Merga Silima the five clans. The way of behaving of Karo society in their daily life be oriented to the ancestor idea, that is: “Merga Silima the five clans, Tutur Siwaluh, Rakut Sitelu”. Rakut means string or a bundle, and Si telu means three. So, Rakut Sitelu means three bundles or strings, they are: 1 Kalimbubu 2 Senina 3 Anak Beru Tutur Siwaluh is an orientation for Karo society in communication with their peers.

2.1.2 The Structure of Karo Society

The principal of live that is a tradition custom implementation is held by the Karo society. At the time, the highest social class was not existed, and a certain thing which related to the importance of living together is settled and involved the society. Such a thing is caused the strings which has a big function of Universitas Sumatera Utara family relationship and custom prevails. It has three difference of Karo society group, they are: 1 Bangsa Tanah or Anak Taneh Bangsa taneh is previous group of family the native person, that occupied such sphere of land and afterwards become the village founder and one in authority of land in sphere of village. This group is based on the society view of live and custom has high position, so that the society respect them because of their position in Kuta or village. 2 Ginemgem Ginemgem is a group of society that occupied such sphere of village, but they were not a previous group. This group is considered as a group which is approved by bangsa taneh. Commonly, they are involved living together, moved from the previous places and still have relation with bangsa tenah. 3 Rakyat Derip Rakyat Derip is categorized as a common society who lived in one village as the ordinary people. According to the history, they are immigrants and lived permanently in one village based on the agreement of bangsa taneh. They did not have family relationship with bangsa taneh excepted tutur or clan relationship. Moreover, it is caused by the people who married with rakyat derip or ginemgem and it can defend their position. It also must be appropriated by the tradition. Universitas Sumatera Utara

2.1.3 The System of kinship

Pertuturen is one of acquaintanceship process in making a relationship between one and another become, and the most important thing is they will know about their lineage. According to the culture, a man and woman who has the same sub clan can not get married. As mention that pertuturen is a process of introducing ourselves to the others by mentioning Merga or Beru and Bere-bere. To get a genetic relationship whether it was based on the blood relation or the marriage relationship. The three kinds of the genetic relationship or kinship are: - Kalimbubu - Senina - Anak Beru 1 Kalimbubu Kalimbubu means those who are from the bride’s families and relatives. It is believed according to Karonese tradition, Kalimbubu are the representative of God in the world so they are respected by Anak Beru. In Karo society, the marriage is not merely individual case, but it is also a family problem. When someone gets married with another person, he a she is notonly himself or herself belong to the husband’s or wife’s family but their relatives are also included. In other words, the marriage means connecting two big families and strengthen the relationship between two families. Kalimbubu is a group of bride’s family and this particular group must be respected. If there are something wrong and this particular group must be respected. If there are something wrong done by their anak beru, they will get bad effects. They will not have good harvest or perhaps misfortune will hold on Universitas Sumatera Utara them. This case is usually known from the magician or fortune teller. To avoid the bad effects towards anak beru, there is a special ceremony in which they ask Kalimbubu’s forgiveness which is called Nabei. This means that Anak Beru have to give or to put on traditional cloth to Kalimbubu and then asking for an apology what they have done and as usual, their mistakes or errors will be forgiven. They last will eat together. Kalimbubu are considered as the wise people. As it is explained above the Karonese societies consider that Kalimbubu are deputy of God in the world and have duties as follow: - To solve the problems done by their Anak beru. In this case, Kalimbubu can force their own will if the groups who have the conflict are still obstinate or stubborn according to their judgment. There are several kinds of Kalimbubu, they are: A. Kalimbubu Tua B. Kalimbubu Bena-bena C. Kalimbubu Simupus D. Kalimbubu Siperdemui E. Kalimbubu Simbuyak F. Puang Kalimbubu A. Kalimbubu Tua Kalimbubu Tua are Kalimbubu of ancestors who joined to build the village long time ago. They are the leaders of all Kalimbubu Universitas Sumatera Utara In traditional ceremonies, Kalimbubu Tua will get the important places such as: to be the first person in dancing; to put fire place on entering the new house. B. Kalimbubu Bena-bena Kalimbubu Bena-bena are Kalimbubu of grandfather, including their family, children and lineage. C. Kalimbubu Simupus Kalimbubu Simupus are Kalimbubu of father, includes his families and his children. D. Kalimbubu Siperdemui Kalimbubu siperdemui is directly kalimbubu because of his daughter’s married. In this case includes father, close relatives and children. E. Kalimbubu Simbuyak Kalimbubu sembuyak are kalimbubu who come from brothers who get married with other families. F. Puang Kalimbubu Puang Kalimbubu are kalimbubu of our kalimbubu 2 Senina Senina is a term which has two meanings. They are special and general meanings. In special meaning senina is limited in a certain lineage from one clan. In this case, it is called senina sembuyak means brothers or sisters who have the same family Ginting Suka and Ginting Suka, Tarigan sibero and Universitas Sumatera Utara Tarigan sibero, etc. While in general meaning senina are those who have the same surename but different lineage, for instance: - Ginting Suka, Ginting Manik, Ginting Munthe, Ginting Sugihen, etc. - Tarigan Sibero, Tarigan Silangit, Tarigan Tua, etc. 3 Anak Beru Anak Beru consists of many clans or lineages: it is similar as kalimbubu. Anak beru has also many divisions among others: A. Anak Beru Ipupus Anak beru ipupus are anak beru who have blood ties or families ties. They are anak beru before the marriage takes place. B. Anak Beru Langkip Anak beru langkip mean anak beru who arise from a new marriage which does not have family relationship between bridegroom’s side and bride’s side. They are related by emas perdemun dowry. C. Anak Beru Tua Anak beru tua are the oldest of anak beru. It means that they are the first anak beru of the ancestor of family and their descendants also belong to anak beru tua continuously. The position of this anak beru is very high in Karonese tradition because a meeting can not be started before the attendance. D. Anak Beru Menteri Anak beru menteri are anak beru of our anak beru. Universitas Sumatera Utara

2.2 Nganting Manuk