The Existence of Ruhut-Ruhuut in Toba Batak Wedding Customs: A Study of Oral Tradition
Abstract
This study examines the existence of ruhut-ruhut in Toba Batak wedding customs through the perspective of oral tradition. Ruhut-ruhut is a set of customary rules, norms, and procedures that govern the process and meaning of each stage of a Toba Batak traditional wedding ceremony. Amidst modernization and socio-cultural change, these customary elements face various challenges, such as simplification of the procession, adaptation to changing times, and a diminished understanding of traditional values by the younger generation. This study employed a qualitative descriptive method with an oral tradition approach. Data were obtained through observation, interviews with traditional leaders, and literature review related to Toba Batak wedding customs. Analysis was conducted on traditional speech, ritual communication structures, and cultural symbols embodied in the ruhut-ruhut ritual. The results indicate that ruhut-ruhut remains a primary guideline in Toba Batak wedding customs, embodying the values of kinship, respect for social structures, and the philosophy of life of the Toba Batak people. However, in practice, transformations have occurred at several stages of implementation due to the influence of time efficiency, economic factors, and changes in the mindset of modern society. This research concludes that the existence of ruhut-ruhut is not extinct, but rather is undergoing adaptive transformation without losing its essential values as the cultural identity of the Toba Batak people.
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