Pulau Samosir

Negeri Indah Kepingan Surga

SAMOSIR is island in Danau (lake) Toba, located in Sumatera Utara propinsi (North Sumatra province), Indonesia. Samosir is a large volcanic island in Lake Toba. The lake and island were formed after the eruption of a supervolcano some 75,000 years ago. The island was originally a peninsula connected to the surrounding caldera wall by a small isthmus, which was cut through by the Tano Ponggol Canal in 1907 to aid navigation.

SAMOSIR ISLAND is approximately 200 square miles (520 square km) in area, the island occupies nearly half the lake and is joined to its western shore by an isthmus, at which point is the island’s principal town, Pangururan. In the east the island rises to 5,350 feet (1,630 metres), but the level of the surrounding water is 2,989 feet. The island is linked to the mainland of Sumatra on its western part by a narrow isthmus connecting the town of Pangururan on Samosir and Tele on mainland Sumatra.

The indigenous Batak tribe of the island and surrounding areas grow rice, raise cattle, fish in the lake, and raise shallots and garlic for sale. They are mainly Christian, from missions in colonial times. The island contains many ancient megaliths. Tourism is increasingly important to the eastern side of the island.

Samosir Island is often called a piece of heaven in the Land of Batak because it offers a variety of captivating natural beauty mixed with culture and history. It provides a variety of tourist destinations that add to the happiness and knowledge of tourists.

Samosir Trivia and Facts ✅

✅ Island likely formed over the course of millennia, slowly gaining more material in the aftermath of the Toba eruption.

✅ The island has almost the same area as Singapore (630 compared to 721.5 km square)

✅ Samosir Island contains multiple lakes, which include Danau Aek Natonang and Danau Sidihoni.

✅ The average elevation of land on Samosir is 1000 m a.s.l.,.

✅ Samosir Island is the 5th largest lake island in the world.

The Batak Tribe

Samosir Island still has customs and culture that is still maintained its beauty, namely Batak Tribe. Many traditional houses typical of the Batak tribe called Rumah Bolon or Rumah Gorga with the characteristics of a house with a ladder outside forming like a stilt house with two sides of a conical roof found there. If you go there, you will easily find various souvenirs typical of The Batak Tribe, which there are many choices and can be bought to take home, one of which is Ulos Fabric from silk which is still uniquely made with woven fabric, this Ulos Fabric takes months to make it so that the price required to get one ulos cloth is not low. Usually, this cloth is used as traditional clothing for The Batak Tribe with various motifs and different meanings. This Ulos cloth was included in the list of National Intangible Heritage in 2014 and cultural heritage by UNESCO.

My Favorite Nature Spots in Samosir Island

Lake Toba

This enormous crater lake consists of an island almost the size of Singapore in its center. At over 1,145 square km, and a depth of 450 meters, Lake Toba is actually more like an ocean. This is the largest lake in Southeast Asia and one of the deepest lakes in the world.

Holbung Hill

Bukit Holbung is a hill covered by grasses, south of Pangururan town at the mainland side. In addition to its location and elevation, it is one of the best places to view geological feature of Lake Toba

Efrata Waterfall

Efrata Waterfall has a strong flow. It is even stronger during the rainy season. The height is about 25-26 meters. It also has the width of 10 m. The source of the water comes from Bukit Barisan Mountains.

Lake Sidihoni

Lake Sidihoni is famous for its nickname “The Lake on the Lake”, because it is located in the middle of the Toba lake. Lake Sidihoni water level is also unique, often changes its colors. Lake Sidihoni looks like a bowl and is the largest lake (105 ha) on Samosir island.

Lake Aek Natonang

Aek Na Tonang (Calm Water) is Lake on the lake, located in the village of Tanjungan. The color of the water is brown and smelled unique. Some communities build their camp to stay for nights.

Tele Hill Observation Tower

This tower provides an excellent vantage point providing magnificent views and photography backgrounds of both Samosir Island and Lake Toba.

My Favorite Cultural Spots in Samosir Island

King Siallagan's Stone Chair

The Stone Chairs of King Siallagan are a historical and ancient object in the form of stone chairs and tables. It is located right at the center of Huta Siallagan under a hariara tree, which is considered a sacred tree by Batak. The stones are believed to be over 200 years old. It is believed to have served as an execution court.

Tomb of Sidabutar Kings

The tomb complex contains three graves of kings and several graves of relatives. The first king and the second king had not embraced the divine religion but still followed the local beliefs called Parmalim. The third king, named Solompoan Sidabutar, had embraced Christianity. He was among the earlier Batak leaders who adopted the new religion and helped shaped the modern Batak culture.

Lumban Suhi Suhi

Lumban Suhi Suhi, often referred as Ulos Village, is the manufacture place of traditional Batak cloth, namely Ulos. The pattern and type of ulos that are made are generally the Toba Batak ulos cloth. The activity of making or producing Ulos weaving is usually carried out by local residents in the yard of Rumah Bolon.

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