Batak

Batak is an umbrella term for several related ethnic groups native to North Sumatra, Indonesia. Concentrated around the inland highlands and the shores of Lake Toba, Batak communities have developed distinct cultural and linguistic traditions while sharing common Austronesian roots.

The main subgroups are the Toba, Karo, Pakpak, Simalungun, Angkola, and Mandailing. Each subgroup has its own language and customs, though they are often referred to collectively as Batak languages. Batak languages are part of the Austronesian language family and are not mutually intelligible. The traditional script, surat Batak, was used historically to write Batak languages; today Latin script is predominant, with Batak script surviving mainly in ceremonial and artistic contexts.

Social organization centers on clans called marga, which are patrilineal and influence marriage and descent. Traditional houses called rumah adat feature distinctive boat-shaped roofs and front verandas; arts include woodcarving, weaving (notably ulos textiles), and funerary and ceremonial rites.

Religious affiliation varies by subgroup and history. Many Batak, especially among the Toba and Simalungun, are Protestant or Catholic, while others—particularly Mandailing and Angkola—are Muslim; some maintain indigenous beliefs or syncretic practices.

In contemporary Indonesia, Batak people contribute to various social, cultural, and economic life, and Batak communities maintain diaspora networks in other parts of Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America.