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All About Batak: From Their Rich Culture to Myths of Cannibalism

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    NINNA.ID -The Batak is the name for a group of sub-societies that live in the rugged highlands and plains around Lake Toba in northern Sumatra. The word Batak is believed to have originally been a derogatory term meaning “primitive” used by lowland Muslims to describe highland people. Today there is little stigma attached to the word. [Source: “Encyclopedia of World Cultures, East and Southeast Asia” edited by Paul Hockings (G.K. Hall & Company, 1993) Living in a beautiful part of North Sumatra around Lake Toba, the Batak people are divided into six main cultures, each with its language and traditions. [caption id="attachment_3459" align="alignnone" width="600"]  The view that can be seen if you visit Bukit Burung[/caption] Although geographically isolated, the Bataks have a history of regular contact with the outside world. Trade between the highlands and other regions saw the exchange of goods such as salt, cloth and iron for gold, rice, and cass...

Discovering Batak Culture on Samosir Island

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This is taken/cop from this  Batak Culture on Samosir Island – frombluetogreen.com   Nestled at the edge of Lake Toba, our time staying in the Toledo hotel on Samosir Island was the perfect, peaceful closing chapter to our unforgettable journey through Sumatra. Nearly as big in area as Singapore, Samosir, the ‘island within an island’ is the fifth largest lake island in the world. The island had a laid-back way of life and a rich history. We had the opportunity to delve into the culture of the Batak people which offered a unique and different side of Indonesia. Our stay on Samosir Island, in the heart of Lake Toba, was the perfect way to end an unforgettable journey through Sumatra. Surrounded by peaceful waters, dramatic landscapes, and a slower pace of life, Samosir offered us something more than beautiful scenery. It gave us the opportunity to step into the world of the Batak people and discover a rich culture shaped by history, tradition, art, and community. Samosir is...

Meeting Solo Female Travelers Around Lake Toba

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    Samosir, NINNA.ID -One of my biggest motivations for becoming a tour guide was simple: I wanted to have friends from different parts of the world. At the same time, I wanted to help promote Lake Toba, the place I proudly call home. I am proud to be a guide. Over the years, I have come to believe that one of the most important parts of traveling is not the scenery, the hotels, or the attractions. What matters most is how local people treat visitors and whether they feel safe and welcomed. Tourism has a unique power to build understanding and friendship between people from different backgrounds, creating connections that sometimes seem impossible. As time goes by, I notice more and more solo female travelers visiting Samosir and Lake Toba. I have been fortunate to guide many of them, and each journey has left me with memorable stories. Sabine from Germany At the beginning of the year, I received a message from Sabine, who found my contact through Exploring Sumatra. It had b...

Eleven Days Exploring Sumatra with Amazing Women from Eastern Europe

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   NINNA.ID - On the evening of May 4, 2026, Kualanamu Airport was still busy as I waited for three very special guests from Slovakia and the Czech Republic. As a tour guide who has spent years guiding travelers around Lake Toba and Sumatra, I know every journey begins with a first impression. Their flight arrived around 8:40 PM, and the warm Medan air welcomed them that night. I still clearly remember seeing Maria, Pavla, and Hana walking out of the arrival gate with large suitcases and tired faces after their long journey. We immediately took a photo together. It became the first photo of our eleven-day journey full of stories and unforgettable moments. [caption id="attachment_37297" align="alignnone" width="1280"]  Picking up Maria, Pavla, and Hana at Kualanamu Airport was not only the beginning of a journey, but also the start of eleven days filled with stories, laughter, and new friendships growing in Sumatra. (Photo © Damayanti)[/caption] That night,...