Birth History of Purba Simalungun Clan

By : Purba Masrul Dasuha , S.Pd

Purba in etymology means east, the word is cognate with the word "prototype" in Javanese. This word stems from the Sanskrit "Purva". The influence of Indian culture with a strong Hindu-Buddhist style through Sanskrit and Pallava letters at the beginning of the century AD Pallava very large role in shaping the culture of the archipelago. It is certainly not inevitable influence by tribal Simalungun, a result of the influence that lasts for ages so found quite a lot of cultural nuances Hindu - Buddhist in Simalungun.

Purba clan is one of the four major clans in Simalungun. This clan is divided into several branches, namely Tambak, Sidasuha, Sidadolog, Sidagambir, Sigumonrong, Silangit, Tua, Tanjung, Tondang, Tambun Saribu, Pakpak, Siboro, Girsang, Sihala, and Manorsa. Purba naming as the surname of a group of Simalungun people can be described that their ancestors came from the east of the island of Sumatra. Purba clan early ancestors came from Siam along with Saragih and Sinaga, they sailed to the island of East Sumatra track voyage through India. There are two locations suspected of being berths and their entrance into the East Sumatra, the coast of Serdang Bedagai and Asahan now. They then go into the interior and mingle with the local community, the first ancestor of the Purba identified himself as the person who came from the east, using the Sanskrit "Purva", he is a Buddhist. He was well received by the locals and given the freedom to mingle with their lives. Purba later married one of the daughters of the natives and given a plot of land to live on.

At first Purba did not recognize the sub or branch clan as it is known today. Alleged large branches which now is a result of the affiliation process that newcomers assimilate themselves with the beginning of the Purba clan groups. This means that before any Tambak, Silangit, Sigumondrong, Sidasuha, Sidadolog, Sidagambir, Tua, Tanjung, Tondang, Tambun Saribu, Girsang, Pakpak, Siboro, Sihala, and Manorsa; Purba community is already exist. So the appearance of the branch is not in line with the birth parent clan, because long before the branch, parent clan has existed on earth Habonaron Do Bona. The establishment of branches of the Purba clan had happened after the 11th century AD, during the existence of previously unknown sub or branch of the clan. As my explanation above that the formation of these branches occurred after the migration of the tribe about which of Pakpak and Minangkabau. This means that the branches of the Purba clan now that there is not a direct descendant of the Purba clan but outsiders who assimilate themselves or affiliated to the clan of the Purba order to be accepted to be part of  indigenous people namely East Batak, which at that time had not known the term Simalungun. When traced at that time there has been a second wave of migration of nations and tribes that enter into Simalungun land, which first is community that forming Purba clans that came from Siam before the year 500 AD, the second about the migration of tribes that later formed clan branches of Purba. In about 1377 AD has been a wave of exodus of Minangkabau people to the coastal areas of East Sumatra after Singapore was destroyed by Majapahit, followed by a second wave that occurred in 1611 AD, at the time of their transfer to Malaysia.

When traced back at least four major groups of a different branch of the descendants of the Purba clans, namely:
1. Silangit,
2. Tambak, Sigumondrong, Sidasuha, Sidadolog, and Sidagambir,
3. Tanjung, Tua, Tondang, and Tambun Saribu,
4. Siboro, Girsang, Pakpak, and Sihala.
According to the oral stories in Simalungun, Purba Silangit ancestors originally dwelt around Dolog Tinggi Raja. Due to severe flooding, they are so ravaged areas resulting offspring spread to a number of areas such as Gunung Mariah, Sinombah, Dolog Silou, Silou Kahean, and Raya. From Gunung Mariah descendants later migrated to the land of plenty that Karo and turn into Tarigan Silangit. There is an argument that Purba Sigulang Batu was born of a descendant of the Purba Silangit who moved to Humbang. And there Silangit village in Toba Samosir also allegedly had something to do with the Purba Silangit. As for Purba Tambak ancestors came from Pagaruyung, he wandered through the area Natal continues to Singkil to the Dairi, he then went on to Simalungun. He founded the first village named Tambak Bawang, where in the place he made ​​a pond in a marsh (Simalungun: bawang/rawang). He is an accomplished hunter and angler is reliable , this is what inspired the birth of the Purba Tambak symbol is "ultop" and "bubu". Surrounding community was coming to enliven the place, they then lifted so Pangulu Tambak Bawang. His son named Tuan Jigou then continued his father's office as Pangulu. Tuan Jigou gave birth to a son named Tuan Sindar Lela. His son met with Puteri Hjau in Bah Potani river near a Tualang tree in Serbajadi now. Through the help of Puteri Hijau, Tuan Sindar Lela managed to get a place in the Silou kingdom, he was appointed King Goraha Silou (Warlords Silou Empire). Tuan Sindar Lela has two sons, the eldest named Tuan Toriti Purba Tambak Tualang and the youngest named Tuan Timbangan Raja Purba Tambak Bawang. Eldest child moved to Silou Buntu and establish Partuanon there, while the youngest moved to Silou Dunia and also became the ruler in place. Tuan Timbangan Raja is the king who married the daughter of princess Bunga Ncolei from Kesain Jambur Lige Barus Jahe and spawned two eldest sons that became the title of Raja Rubun ancestral kings of Dolog Silou of Purba Tambak Lombang group and the youngest is believed to be the ancestral origin of the title of the Purba Sidasuha namely Tuan Suha Bolag. His sons after growing up in disputes, the youngest relented and venturing up to about Tiga Runggu now, where he founded the village of Suha Bolag. Which is a milestone in inception Panei kingdom. In the next generation, one of the descendants of the Purba Sidasuha who dwells in a mountain calling itself the Purba Sidadolog, this clan groups inhabiting the area Sinaman and became one of his descendants was appointed as magnifying in the Panei kingdom. From Purba Sidadolog this arises again Purba Sidagambir splitting due to disputes, Sidagambir daily work as gambir planters, he moved to another place and set up village Rajaihuta, then his descendants established a new village called Dolog Huluan.

List of Dolog Silou Kings:
1. Raja Rubun
2. Tuan Bedar Maralam
3. Tuan Rajomin
4. Tuan Moraijou
5. Tuan Taring
6. Tuan Lurni
7. Tuan Tanjarmahei
8. Tuan Ragaim
9. Tuan Bandar Alam

List of Panei Kings:
1. Tuan Suha Bolag
2. Tuan Marsitajuri
3. Raja Panei III
4. Raja Panei IV
5. Raja Panei V
6. Raja Panei VI
7. Raja Panei VII
8. Raja Panei VIII
9. Tuan Sarmalam
10. Tuan Sarhalapa
11. Tuan Jintama
12. Tuan Jontama
13. Tuan Jadiammat
14. Tuan Bosar Sumalam
15. Tuan Marga Bulan (Raja Muda)

Figure 1: King of Dolog Silou, Tuan Tanjarmahei Purba Tambak

Figure 2: King of Dolog Silou, Tuan Ragaim Purba Tambak with his advisers

Figure 3: King of Dolog Silou, Tuan Ragaim Purba Tambak

Figure 4: Lord of Silou Kahean, Tuan Gaib Purba Tambak

Purba Sigumondrong derived from Lokkung, descendants then spread to Cingkes, Marubun, Togur, and Raya in Simalungun. This clan is a descendant of the Purba born of Boru Simarmata. The offspring were moved to the Karo turned into Tarigan Gerneng. The Purba Tondang ancestors came from the village of Huta Tanoh in district Purba, this genus is the brother of the Purba Tambun Saribu. Most of his descendants believe their ancestors came from Purba Parhorbo in Humbang. The offspring were moved to the Karo turned into Taridan Tendang. His brother, Purba Tambun Saribu derived from Harangan Silombu and Binangara in district Purba, offspring who moved to the Karo turn into Tarigan Tambun. Other branch of Purba clan namely Purba Tua, is the founder of Purba Tua village located in district Silimakuta, some believe this clan brothers of Purba Tanjung who inhabit in Sipinggan, Haranggaol intersection. The offspring were moved to the Karo turned into Tarigan Tua and many settled in Juhar, this clan who accept the presence of a descendant of the Cibero clan in Juhar coming from Tungtung Batu which then turned into Tarigan Sibero. The origin of Purba Tanjung was in Sipinggan near the Haranggaol intersection, mostly descendants believe their clans born of Purba Pakpak. Being another opinion says they are ancestors of the Purba Tambak, where one of his descendants went silent on a promontory on the edge of Lake Toba.

The Girsang clan, from the results of the investigation the author some time ago, where the author interviewed one indigenous elder of the Cibero clan of Pakpak tribe. He explained that Girsang is a descendant of the Cibero clan. This clan ancestors lived on a hill in the village Lehu, settlement was granted by King Mandida Manik for marrying his daughter. One of the descendants have the skills mix of drugs that is also known as Datu Parulas and menyumpit bird so the title is also the Pangultop. The name of the first ancestor of the Girsang that comes directly from Pakpak thinks are two brothers that Girsang Girsang and Sondar Girsang, they are the eleventh descendants of King Ghaib, the first ancestor of the Cibero clan. Both are doing the hunt for a bird, because the bird is chasing one of the two up to Simalungun and entered the village Naga Mariah communal land of Sinaga clan. At that time Tuan Naga Mariah middle of enemy threats that come from the Siantar kingdom, thanks to the assistance of Girsang enemy from Siantar can be overcome. For his services, Tuan Naga Mariah then married him to his daughter and handed power to him. As a native of that place namely clan Sinaga, after the power switch to the hands of the Girsang, they eventually many displaced into the Batu Karang and into Peranginangin clan up. In that place, Girsang establish Naga Saribu village then set as the capital of the Silima Huta kingdom by combining five villages namely Rakutbesi, Dolog Panribuan, Saribu Jandi, Mardingding, and Nagamariah. This clan is divided into Girsang Jabu Bolon, Girsang Na Godang, Girsang Parhara, Girsang Rumah Parik, and Girsang Rumah Bolon. Most of his descendants moved to the Karo into Tarigan Gersang, Sinaman in district Tiga Panah is one of village that established by Girsang descent who moved to the Karoland. As there is also a descendant of the Purba Silangit who joined this clan called Girsang Silangit.

The same event experienced by one of the descendants of the Cibero clan who holds Pangultopultop, because of hunting a bird in Tungtung Batu district Silima Punggapungga bring himself up to Simalungun and entered the territory of Tuan Simalobong Purba Sidasuha one of Partuanon of Panei kingdom. Because of his expertise he managed to win the hearts of the Simalobong people during a bad season so that people even volunteered to call him king. This has led to anger and jealousy Tuan Simalobong, because he felt he was the only who was entitled to the title. Consequently Pangultopultop dealing with the castle and come face to face with Tuan Simalobong, these events led to hold promise (marbija) between them which eventually was won by Pangultopultop. Leadership then fell into his hands, in the former territory of Tuan Simalobong, he then founded the Purba kingdom and identifies himself as Purba Pakpak. The indigenous of Cibero clan emphatically said that Pangultopultop the founder of the Purba kingdom the first ancestor of Purba Pakpak also including of Cibero clan. According to him the surname of Pangultopultop is Gorga, he has a brother who named Buah or Suksuk Langit, this brother who moved to Juhar and become Tarigan Sibero. This is their 20th generation of Ghaib King, early generation of Cibero clan. When referring to his opinion, it means Girsang the first to migrate to Simalungun than the Pangultopultop, there is a difference nine generations between Girsang with Pangultopultop. Among the descendants of the Purba Pakpak there is divide and calling his clan with Purba Sihala inhabit of Purba Hinalang, the descendant who moved to the Karo into Tarigan Purba or Tarigan Cikala which are found in the area Tanjung Purba and Cingkes, district Dolog Silou.

List of Purba Kings:
1. Tuan Pangultopultop (1624-1648)
2. Tuan Rajiman (1648-1669)
3. Tuan Nanggaraja (1670-1692)
4. Tuan Batiran (1692-1717)
5. Tuan Bakkaraja (1718-1738)
6. Tuan Baringin (1738-1769)
7. Tuan Bona Batu (1769-1780)
8. Tuan Rajaulan (1781-1769)
9. Tuan Atian (1800-1825)
10. Tuan Horma Bulan (1826-1856)
11. Tuan Raondop ( 1856-1886 )
12. Tuan Rahalim ( 1886-1921 )
13. Tuan Karel Cape (1921-1931)
14. Tuan Mogang (1933-1947)

Figure 5: The Twelfth King of Purba Kingdom, Tuan Rahalim Purba Pakpak

Figure 6: Rumah Bolon of Purba Kingdom

Figure 7: Balei Bolon of Purba Kingdom

Regarding to the community of Purba clan that are in Humbang, customary law is different from Purba Simalungun and also Purba Karo. However, they often claim they are descendants of the Purba Simalungun, but it is very contradictory when referring to the number of population and the second generation of the clan. Purba Simalungun community population far more than they are, as well as the presence of the Purba Simalungun had already existed so that the amount of generation far more than the Purba Humbang. This was confirmed from the information obtained by the authors of the Chairman of the custom Punguan Manurung clan live in Siantar City who told to the writer that Tuan Sorba Dijae or Datu Pejel ever take a wife from the Boru Purba Simalungun when he immigrated from Pangururan to Sibisa. While still in Pangururan he already has a wife named Siboru Anting Sabungan who gave birth to two children, Raja Mardopang and Raja Mangatur. From Raja Mardopang birth Sirait, Sitorus, and Butarbutar clan. Being from Raja Mangatur born Manurung clan. As known Tuan Sorba Dijae is the son of Tuan Sorimangaraja results his marriage with Siboru Biding Laut more popular called Nai Rasaon. Tuan Sorba Dijulu or Tuan Nabolon and Tuan Sorba Dibanua is a half-brother another mother Tuan Sorba Dijae. They are the fourth generation of Si Raja Batak. While Purba born of Simamora clan is the fourth generation of Tuan Sorba Dibanua and the seventh generation of Si Raja Batak. Tuan Sorba Dibanua had eight children, one of which is named Raja Sumba, from his birth Sihombing and Simamora and then from Simamora birth Purba clan currently prevalent in the Humbang region.

From this description it can be seen that long before the birth Purba clan in Humbang already exist Purba Simalungun community, it is evidenced by the presence of one of the wives of Tuan Sorba Dijae derived from the Purba Simalungun group. This story proves that in the Simalungun land since long has evolved a great civilization which is even older than the first man of Toba that named Si Raja Batak.