THE MEANING AND EDUCATION VALUE OF THE GORGA BATAK TOBA

Abstract

Gorga Batak Toba is a traditional carving art of the Toba Batak tribe living in North Sumatra, usually used to decorate traditional Toba Batak houses commonly called Bolon Houses. Each curve of the shape and color selection that appears has a meaning and character education value that is very sacred. Gorga Batak Toba has a characteristic shape and color that are not owned by other carvings, so this becomes a cultural heritage that must be preserved by the next generation of this ethnicity. However, along with the fact that this is inversely proportional, the younger generation today considers regional culture to be outdated, slangy, and conservative. Western culture is slowly gaining interest, and the nation's own culture is being eroded and forgotten. Based on the data showing that the number of young people from the Millennial Generation to Post-Gen Z reached 60.46%, or around 163.37% of the total Indonesian population, it is clear that the younger generation plays a very important role in the preservation of ancestral culture. The purpose of this research is to introduce and deepen the younger generation's understanding of the cultural heritage of the Gorga Toba Batak. The next goal is to reveal the values contained in Gorga Batak Toba. This research uses a qualitative method with an ethnographic approach, where researchers are directly involved in the lives of the Toba Batak community. This research provides insight into the importance of preserving Gorga Batak Toba as an integral part of the Toba Batak cultural identity.