A Batak philosophical tip on social interaction among them is: Somba marhula-hula, elek marboru, manat mardongan tubu to mean respect your wife’s family, humbly plead with the family of your daughter-in-laws, and be tactful to your siblings. But every one can be impolite to his hula-hula, son’s parents-in law’s side. Suppose you are in the toilet, then your father in-law checks who is inside, because he wants to use it. He asks: Ise di bagasan “Who is inside?”
Even though you know who the person is, you try to conceal your identity, and your possible reaction is you produce a sound, like “Uhum”, not
Apala aha, amang (What is it, Father), or Au do i, amang (It’s me, father) or Satongkin nari ate, amang ( Would you please wait a moment, father?)
- In Batak, one is closer or more intimate to his mother than to his father.
+It has to be proved through research!
- I can give you an example. If you are in Kode Tuak, a traditional food and drink stall, and you introduce yourself to a stranger who happens to be of the same family name with your mother. Gladly you will say: Bah, martulang do iba hape. Namanubuhon au pe Sihombing do (because his mother is Sihombing). Oh, I call you uncle, because my mother is also Sihombing. Very likely you will treat the man to some food and drink.
But if the man is of the same family name with you or your father, you will simply say: Bah, marabang do iba; hita samarga “Oh we are brothers. We have the same family name.” You will not refer to your father saying “You and my father have the same surname”, as you would if the man’s surname is the same with your mother’s. Rarely will you treat the man.
(Drs.M.Nababan,M.Hum)
