Male Figure at Quai Branly, Paris

myminifactory

The Pakpak people are a subgroup of the Batak ethnic group in Indonesia. They are primarily located in North Sumatra and Aceh provinces, with significant populations in Dairi Regency, Pakpak Bharat Regency, Humbang Hasundutan Regency, Central Tapanuli Regency, and Aceh Singkil Regency. In administrative terms, most Pakpak people reside in Dairi Regency, which was divided into two regencies in 2003: Dairi Regency and Pakpak Bharat Regency. The Pakpak people have a distinct social structure known as sulang silima, comprising five essential elements: Sinina tertua (ancestors or older generations), Sinina penengah (middle generations), Sinina terbungsu (youngest generation), Berru (kinsmen who receive women into their family), and Puang (kinsmen who give women to another family). These five elements play a crucial role in decision-making, particularly in kinship systems and traditional ceremonies. In both Lebbuh (single surname clan-based communities) and Kuta (village-based communities), the involvement of all five elements is necessary for decisions to be considered valid. Pakpak people celebrate traditional ceremonies, often referred to as "working" terms, although the term "festivals" is also commonly used today.