THE NJUAH NJUAH CULTURAL FESTIVAL 2018 : stunning Traditions and Nature around LAKE TOBA

Amidst the breathtaking natural wonders of magical Lake Toba in North Sumatra lived for centuries the indigenous Batak ethnic group, famous for their amazing voices and unique culture and traditions.

And Now, to showcase the cultural beauty of the Batak,  a Festival called the Njuah-Njuah Cultural Festival 2018 will be held from 24th to 29th September 2018 in the town of Sidikalang, by magnificent Lake Toba, in the Dairi Regency, to be centered at the Djauli Manik National Building.

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This cultural Festival carries the theme “Tribe and Nature” which embraces the theme of this year’s Lake Toba Festival that is scheduled to take place from 5th to 8th December 2018 at Silihsabungan, also in the Dairi Regency.

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The Fiesta will kick off with a cultural parade which involves communities, schools, organizations, and other participants all dressed up in their very best colorful attires specially set aside for important occasions. The parade will start from Sisingamangaraja Street at Sidikalang right in front of the Dairi Regency Office, and finish at the Djauli Manik National Building where the other parts of the fiesta take place. The Njuah-Njuah Cultural festival is highlighted with numerous exciting activities that include a fashion show, a fashion carnival, a bands festival, traditional games (margalah, marjalengket, and gasing), Gerga (local ornaments) coloring competition, a Pakpak sub-ethnic Culinary Fiesta, and a Pakpak Art and Cultural Night.

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The festival will end on 29th September 2018 with the grand closure at the Panji Main Stadium. The finale will also involve a unique parade of ‘luah’ or crops from all over Dairi as token of gratitude to God Almighty for a good harvest. There will also be a presentation displaying Pakpak’s multiple sub-ethnic cultures and the Sendihi traditional ceremony.

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Njuah-Njuah is the most common greeting of the Pakpak sub-ethnic Batak group which translates to “Hello” and is similar to the word Horas for the Toba Batak or Mejuah-juah for the Batak Karo.  There is no precise translation of the word in English, however, it may be closer to “welcome”, or a polite way of saying ‘Hi!’ Therefore, the festival is in a way an expression to welcome visitors to the cultural wonders of the Pakpak people the amazing beauty of Sidikalang and its gorgeous surrounding nature.

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Located some 2 and a half hours’ drive from the Silangit international Airport in North Tapanuli, Sidikalang is the lovely little capital town of the Dairi Regency,and is famous for its coffee. With its distinct flavor, Sidikalang coffee is considered among the best in the world and is often compared to the coffee from Brazil. In Dairi, you will also be presented with magnificent views on Lake Toba as seen from the Tao Silalahi and Paropo Beach. Among the hills, one will also find refresingly gurgling waterfalls, among which are the Sicike-cike, the Lau Baski, and the Lae Pendaroh Waterfalls.

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