Indonesia, a republic in SE Asia, has a population of about 250 million. Spread over an archipelago consisting of more than 17,500 islands stretching a distance of 3,400 miles along the equator, it is the world’s 4th most populous nation and the 3rd largest democracy.
There are more than 300 distinct languages and ethnic groups in Indonesia. Bahasa Indonesia is the official language and lingua franca. The official motto is Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, which means “unity in diversity.”
From April 2012 to July 2014 I lived and worked in Indonesia. Here is a collection of sights and sounds about life among the ethnic Batak people in North Sumatra, Indonesia:
Balige market
Church in Siboruon village
Preaching in Medan.
Main road in Balige
House on Lake Toba
Scraping off the skin of pig, preparing to make saksang.
Riding by motorbike
Batak people make a special dish from the pig.
With grandmothers, refugees of Mt. Sinabung eruption.
House in Balige with pond and water buffalo
Wedding in Sidamanik village – Indonesia
Children refugees from eruption of Mt. Sinabung
field, near Balige, Indonesia
Almost harvest time. Balige, North Sumatra, Indonesia
Rainstorm, Pematangsiantar, Indonesia
Students and staff of the HKBP Deaconess School for the year 2012-2013
Sunday devotion with elderly group, village of Marihat Tiga, North Sumatra, Indonesia. May 2012.
Rice offering and blessing at a wedding – Indonesia
Lake Toba
Individual reflection time at the retreat.
Hiking up Mt. Sibayak – Berastagi, Indonesia
Wedding in Sidamanik village
Mincing the pork.
Lake Toba, from Lumban Silintong, Balige
Restaurant in Siantar
Market day in Balige
Parrents give blessing at daughter’s college graduation
Mt. Sinabung
The view from my office. Door open every day.
Lake Toba at Balige’s harbor, Indonesia
Batak funeral ritual
