Social Media Reconstructs Dalihan Na Tolu Among Batak

Eva Solina Gultom; Komang Wahyu Rustiani

doi:10.69693/ijim.v4i3.1285

Authors

Eva Solina Gultom Universitas Halu Oleo
Komang Wahyu Rustiani Universitas Halu Oleo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.69693/ijim.v4i3.1285

Keywords:

Dalihan Na Tolu, Batak Toba youth, digital culture, cultural preservation, social media

Abstract

The rapid development of digital technology has transformed cultural communication and identity construction among younger generations in Indonesia. Batak Toba youth increasingly engage with social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to access, share, and reinterpret the cultural values of Dalihan Na Tolu in contemporary digital spaces. Previous studies mainly discuss Dalihan Na Tolu from philosophical and traditional cultural perspectives, while limited research examines its digital representation among Batak Toba youth. This study analyzes how Batak Toba youth represent and preserve Dalihan Na Tolu through digital media in the digital era. The findings show that digital media has a dual impact on cultural preservation. Globalization and modern lifestyles reduce youth participation in traditional ceremonies and weaken the use of Batak language; however, social media also functions as a platform for cultural learning, identity reconstruction, and cultural dissemination. Batak Toba youth actively preserve cultural values by sharing digital content related to Batak traditions, music, language, and customary practices. This study highlights the relationship between youth digital participation and the reconstruction of Dalihan Na Tolu within contemporary digital culture. Digital platforms can function as strategic media for sustaining local cultural identity among younger generations through adaptive and participatory cultural practices.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Alhassan, A. I. (2024). Analyzing the application of mixed method methodology in medical education: a qualitative study. BMC Medical Education, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-05242-3

Bernadtua Simanjuntak, M., & Lustyantie, N. (2022). METAMORPHIC ANALYSIS IN SONG LYRICS BATAK TOBA “JUJUNG GOARHI AMANG” (STUDY OF PORTRAY OF PARENTS) (Vol. 5, Number 1).

https://doi.org/10.22460/project.v5i1.p236-243

Br Sembiring, Y., Mariani, D., Purba, W. E., Amazihono, E. A., Rosyida, M. R., Mariani, E. / ; Y., Purba, D. E., Amazihono, W. A., & Rosyida, E. (2022). Designing English Reading Text Based on Dalihan Na Tolu Batak Culture. Jurnal Ilmiah Wahana Pendidikan, 8(24), 287–294. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7486485

Gultom, E. (2023). The Sustainable Tourism of Lumban Suhi–Suhi Village Samosir after The Pandemic. Jurnal Humaniora, 35(1), 24. https://doi.org/10.22146/jh.80315

Haloho, O. (2022). Konsep Berpikir Suku Batak Toba: Anakkon Hi Do Hamoraon di Au. Ideas: Jurnal Pendidikan, Sosial, Dan Budaya, 8(3), 747. https://doi.org/10.32884/ideas.v8i3.896

Harahap, A. S., Mulyono, H., Nuzul, Milhan, M., & Siregar, T. (2023). Dalihan Na Tolu as a Model for Resolving Religious Conflicts in North Sumatera: An Anthropological and Sociological Perspective. Samarah, 7(3), 1943–1970. https://doi.org/10.22373/sjhk.v7i3.13091

Kristalia Sianturi, N. D., Pelawi, A. B., Ramadhani, D. A., Jelita Laoli, O. A., Pasaribu, D. A., & Anggreini, H. (2026). <b>Makna Dan Komposisi Umpasa “Mangupa-Upa” Dalam Tradisi Batak Toba: Kajian Sastra Lisan Perspektif Ruth Finnegan</b> Kopula: Jurnal Bahasa, Sastra, Dan Pendidikan, 8(1), 196–206. https://doi.org/10.29303/kopula.v8i1.9856

Natalia Silaban, N., Lumban Tobing, T., Oktaviana, S., Eka Rusmawati, D., & Ilmu Sosial, J. (2026). Lisensi: Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY SA 4.0) 2340 Copyright; Nikita Natalia Silaban, Torkis Lumban Tobing, Selvia Oktaviana, Kasmawati. Dianne Eka Rusmawati, 4, 2026. https://doi.org/10.61104/alz.v4i3.5627

Pulungan, M. Y. (2025). Dalihan Na Tolu Culture and Islamic Education: Traditional and Religious Collaboration in Shaping Character. Tafkir: Interdisciplinary Journal of Islamic Education, 6(4), 1009–1041. https://doi.org/10.31538/tijie.v6i4.2332

Rahman, F., Rafli, Z. & Anwar, M. Digital narratives of Indonesian culinary culture on YouTube: a qualitative speech act and netnographic study of food vloggers. J. Ethn. Foods13, 13 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1186/s42779-026-00315-8

Siahaan, J., & Barus, A. (2023). TALENTA Conference Series: Local Wisdom, Social, and Arts The Functions and Meanings of Dalihan Na Tolu for the Toba Batak Tribe:Oral Tradition Study The Functions and Meanings of Dalihan Na Tolu for the Toba Batak Tribe:Oral Tradition Study. https://doi.org/10.32734/lwsa.v6i3.1765

Siahaan, P. G., Dewi, ;, Lbn Batu, P., Nababan, R., & Junaidi, ; (2026). JURNAL BINA MULIA HUKUM Legal Protection of Ulos Batak Toba Motifs as a Geographical Indication in Preserving Intangible Cultural Heritage. 10(2), 252–275. https://doi.org/10.24198/jbmh.v10i2.2245

Silaban, S. T., Dewi, A. M., Shafira, R., Salsabila, T., & Syahputra, T. H. (2026). Phenomenology Subjektif Well Being dan Kearifan Lokal pada Budaya Batak Suku Batak Toba Studi: Hamoraon, Hagabeon, Hasangapon. SENTRI: Jurnal Riset Ilmiah, 5(2), 2086–2102. https://doi.org/10.55681/sentri.v5i2.5868

Simanjuntak, R. M., Kause, M., Siahaan, V. H., Modok, E., & Sagala, Y. (2022). Creating Harmony in the Dalihan Na Tolu Philosophy for Batak People in Yogyakarta. https://doi.org/10.21831/cp.v2i2.9291

Sitorus, E., Sirait, J., Sinaga, D., Habeahan, A., Permata, G., & Sihombing, S. (2026). Semiotic Analysis of Batak Onion in Typical Batak Toba Foods, Arsik Ikan Mas and Dali Ni Horbo 50 Semiotic Analysis of Batak Onion in Typical Batak Toba Foods, Arsik Ikan Mas and Dali Ni Horbo.

https://doi.org/10.14710/sabda.21.1.50-60

Tampubolon, T., & Simanungkalit, K. E. (2026). Batak Toba Local Wisdom as a Conceptual Bridge in Primary Mathematics Instruction: A Systematic Literature Review. Journal of Mathematics Instruction, Social Research and Opinion, 5(2). https://doi.org/10.58421/misro.v5i2.1345

Taufika, R., Ritonga, A. R., Arianto, & Ohorella, N. R. (2025). Consistency of Dalihan na Tolu vs. Same-Clan Marriage: The Intersection of Customary Law and Islamic Theological Doctrine. Pharos Journal of Theology, 106(SpecialIssue-2), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.46222/pharosjot.106.208

Theofilus, M., & Siagian, R. J. (2026). Pengaruh Filosofi Dalihan Na Tolu Sebagai Sistem Moral Batak Terhadap Implementasi Karakter Kristen Dari Perspektif Sahala. PASCA : Jurnal Teologi Dan Pendidikan Agama Kristen, 22(1), 28–41. https://doi.org/10.46494/psc.v22i1.571

Wang, X., Nursyifa, C., Aninta, S.G. et al. The genetic diversity of Indonesian cattle has been shaped by multiple introductions and adaptive introgression. Nat Commun 16, 8192 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62692-z

Wijaya, F.R., Puspita, V., Kenny, K. et al. Haunting narratives: female entities and gender inequality in Indonesian horror films. Humanit Soc Sci Commun 12, 1200 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-04815-x

Yuliani, S., Ghani, M.M., Mardatillah, A. et al. Serumpun Tak Selalu Sepaham in cross cultural communication among Indonesian and Malaysian students. Discov Educ 5, 178 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44217-026-01189-3