Among the Batak people 🧟‍♂️

Lake Toba, the largest volcanic lake in the world, stretches between the green hills of Sumatra. In the middle lies Samosir Island, home to the Batak people, who lived in isolation for centuries. Their culture is unique-known for elaborate wooden houses with curved roofs, powerful vocal music, and strong traditions of ancestor worship. In the past, Batak society had a darker side, including ritual cannibalism, but today, they are famous for their hospitality and rich traditions.

A week in a lakeside homestay feels like a retreat. The water is warm, the air fresh-25 degrees feels almost like a summer day by a Polish lake. Unlike the humid heat of the rest of Sumatra, this place is comfortable, quiet. It’s the rainy season, so there are almost no tourists, but the occasional showers don’t matter. There’s time to ride water scooter or paddle a kayak across the lake, even to visit a barber on the shore. Walks through the villages reveal beautiful Batak houses, each decorated with intricate carvings. There is also time to see a local football match with Batak players, a few locals watching under a small roof, and a vendor selling fried bananas. No stadium, no crowd, just a simple game in the rain. And that’s what makes Toba special - slow, quiet, and real.Leggi altro