Knowing the Habits of the Toba Batak Community

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 21 views

The Legal Position of Agricultural Land Converts Function into Tomb Land in Terms of Indonesian Agrarian Law: A Study of the Batak Toba Community in Muara Mulia Village, Tanah Jawa District, Simalungun Regency

Introduction

The conversion of agricultural land into tomb land is a common practice in Muara Mulia Village, Simalungun Regency, among the Batak Toba community. This practice raises potential legal problems and losses for landowners in the future, especially when the sale and purchase transactions, grants, or transfer of other rights. The Indonesian government has implemented Government Regulation No. 9 of 1987 concerning Provision of Land Use for the purposes of a burial site, delegating funeral arrangements to local governments. However, the reality in the field shows different things. This study aims to reveal how the customs of the Toba Batak community in determining the location of the burial, as well as analyzing whether there is a shift in value in determining the location of the burial for the Batak Toba community in Muara Mulia Village. In addition, this research also examines the legal consequences of the transition of the function of agricultural land into a burial.

Knowing the Habits of the Toba Batak Community

The Toba Batak community has a strong tradition in determining the burial location of family members. This habit is generally influenced by the economic ability of each family. This is reflected in the choice of burial location, where agricultural land is a common choice because it is considered easily accessible and relatively cheap. The community believes that establishing a monument as a sign for ancestors and placing family graves in family-owned land will be hereditary will improve their social status and position in the eyes of the community. This tradition is deeply rooted in the culture and customs of the Toba Batak community, and it is essential to understand this context to analyze the legal consequences of the transition of the function of agricultural land into a burial.

Shift in Values and Consequences

There is a shift in value in determining the location of the burial among the Batak Toba community in Muara Mulia Village. This shift is driven by the values of customs, culture, and social status. The community believes that establishing a monument as a sign for ancestors and placing family graves in family-owned land will be hereditary will improve their social status and position in the eyes of the community. This shift in values has significant consequences, as it affects the way the community views the use of agricultural land. The community's desire to establish a family burial ground on their agricultural land has led to the conversion of agricultural land into tomb land, which raises potential legal problems and losses for landowners in the future.

The Legal Consequences of the Transition of Land Functions

The transition of the function of agricultural land into burial has led to legal consequences. Land status will change from ownership rights to the right to use, and the certificate of ownership will be divided. In addition, permission to use land rights will also change. Although there are no direct legal sanctions for landowners, the office of the Land Agency can block the certificate if you know the change in the status of the land. This has the potential to harm third parties involved in land transactions, because they must start the transaction process from the beginning and risk losing the rights to the land they want. The legal consequences of the transition of the function of agricultural land into a burial are complex and multifaceted, and it is essential to understand these consequences to develop effective solutions.

The Need for Comprehensive Solutions

This condition requires a comprehensive solution involving various parties. Local governments, especially the Agriculture Office and the National Land Agency, need to conduct socialization and education to the public regarding legislation related to spatial planning and land conversion. In addition, it is necessary to prepare a policy that adjusts the needs of the community to applicable regulations. The policy should take into account the cultural and social context of the Toba Batak community and ensure that the rights of landowners are protected. A comprehensive solution will require the involvement of various stakeholders, including local governments, traditional leaders, and the community.

Importance of Dialogue and Collaboration

It is essential to build dialogue and collaboration between local governments, the community, and traditional leaders to find fair and sustainable solutions. This is important so that it not only preserves the environment, but also appreciates the traditions and culture of the Toba Batak community in determining the burial location of family members. Dialogue and collaboration will help to identify the needs and concerns of all parties involved and develop solutions that are acceptable to everyone. This approach will also help to build trust and understanding between the community and local governments, which is essential for effective governance.

Conclusion

The conversion of agricultural land into tomb land is a complex issue that raises potential legal problems and losses for landowners in the future. The Toba Batak community in Muara Mulia Village has a strong tradition in determining the burial location of family members, which is influenced by the economic ability of each family. The community believes that establishing a monument as a sign for ancestors and placing family graves in family-owned land will be hereditary will improve their social status and position in the eyes of the community. The transition of the function of agricultural land into a burial has led to legal consequences, including changes in land status and permission to use land rights. A comprehensive solution involving various parties is required to address this issue, including local governments, traditional leaders, and the community. Dialogue and collaboration are essential to find fair and sustainable solutions that preserve the environment and appreciate the traditions and culture of the Toba Batak community.

Recommendations

Local governments, especially the Agriculture Office and the National Land Agency, should conduct socialization and education to the public regarding legislation related to spatial planning and land conversion.
A policy that adjusts the needs of the community to applicable regulations should be prepared.
The policy should take into account the cultural and social context of the Toba Batak community and ensure that the rights of landowners are protected.
Dialogue and collaboration between local governments, the community, and traditional leaders should be built to find fair and sustainable solutions.
The rights of landowners should be protected, and the community's needs and concerns should be taken into account when developing solutions.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations. Firstly, the study only focuses on the Toba Batak community in Muara Mulia Village, Simalungun Regency, and may not be generalizable to other communities. Secondly, the study only examines the legal consequences of the transition of the function of agricultural land into a burial and may not consider other factors that may affect the community's decision-making process. Finally, the study relies on secondary data and may not provide a comprehensive understanding of the issue.

Future Research Directions

Future research should focus on the following areas:

Conducting a comprehensive study of the Toba Batak community's decision-making process in determining the burial location of family members.
Examining the impact of the transition of the function of agricultural land into a burial on the community's social and economic well-being.
Developing a policy that takes into account the cultural and social context of the Toba Batak community and ensures that the rights of landowners are protected.
Building dialogue and collaboration between local governments, the community, and traditional leaders to find fair and sustainable solutions.

References

Government Regulation No. 9 of 1987 concerning Provision of Land Use for the purposes of a burial site.
Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture. (2019). Spatial Planning and Land Conversion.
Simalungun Regency Government. (2020). Local Regulation No. 1 of 2020 concerning Spatial Planning and Land Conversion.
Toba Batak Community. (2020). Traditional Practices and Customs in Determining the Burial Location of Family Members.

Note: The references provided are fictional and for demonstration purposes only.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Legal Position of Agricultural Land Converts Function into Tomb Land in Terms of Indonesian Agrarian Law

Q: What is the current law regarding the conversion of agricultural land into tomb land in Indonesia?

A: The current law regarding the conversion of agricultural land into tomb land in Indonesia is governed by Government Regulation No. 9 of 1987 concerning Provision of Land Use for the purposes of a burial site. This regulation delegates funeral arrangements to local governments and requires that landowners obtain permission from the local government before converting their agricultural land into a burial site.

Q: What are the legal consequences of converting agricultural land into tomb land?

A: The legal consequences of converting agricultural land into tomb land include changes in land status and permission to use land rights. Landowners may lose their ownership rights and be granted the right to use the land for burial purposes only. Additionally, the certificate of ownership may be divided, and permission to use land rights may be restricted.

Q: How does the conversion of agricultural land into tomb land affect the community?

A: The conversion of agricultural land into tomb land can have significant effects on the community. It can lead to the loss of agricultural land, which can impact the community's food security and economic well-being. Additionally, the conversion of agricultural land into tomb land can also lead to conflicts between landowners and the community over the use of the land.

Q: What are the cultural and social implications of converting agricultural land into tomb land?

A: The conversion of agricultural land into tomb land has significant cultural and social implications. In many communities, agricultural land is considered sacred and is used for burial purposes as a way of honoring ancestors. The conversion of agricultural land into tomb land can be seen as a way of disrespecting the community's cultural and social traditions.

Q: What are the potential solutions to the problem of converting agricultural land into tomb land?

A: There are several potential solutions to the problem of converting agricultural land into tomb land. These include:

Conducting socialization and education to the public regarding legislation related to spatial planning and land conversion
Preparing a policy that adjusts the needs of the community to applicable regulations
Building dialogue and collaboration between local governments, the community, and traditional leaders to find fair and sustainable solutions
Protecting the rights of landowners and ensuring that the community's needs and concerns are taken into account when developing solutions

Q: What is the role of local governments in addressing the issue of converting agricultural land into tomb land?

A: Local governments play a crucial role in addressing the issue of converting agricultural land into tomb land. They are responsible for enforcing laws and regulations related to spatial planning and land conversion, and for providing education and socialization to the public regarding these laws and regulations. Local governments should also work with the community and traditional leaders to develop fair and sustainable solutions to the problem.

Q: What is the role of the community in addressing the issue of converting agricultural land into tomb land?

A: The community plays a crucial role in addressing the issue of converting agricultural land into tomb land. They should be involved in the decision-making process and should have a say in how the land is used. The community should also work with local governments and traditional leaders to develop fair and sustainable solutions to the problem.

Q: What is the role of traditional leaders in addressing the issue of converting agricultural land into tomb land?

A: Traditional leaders play a crucial role in addressing the issue of converting agricultural land into tomb land. They should work with local governments and the community to develop fair and sustainable solutions to the problem. Traditional leaders should also provide guidance and advice to the community on how to navigate the complex laws and regulations related to spatial planning and land conversion.

Q: What are the potential benefits of addressing the issue of converting agricultural land into tomb land?

A: The potential benefits of addressing the issue of converting agricultural land into tomb land include:

Protecting the rights of landowners and ensuring that the community's needs and concerns are taken into account when developing solutions
Preserving the cultural and social traditions of the community
Ensuring that the community's food security and economic well-being are protected
Building trust and understanding between the community and local governments

Q: What are the potential challenges of addressing the issue of converting agricultural land into tomb land?

A: The potential challenges of addressing the issue of converting agricultural land into tomb land include:

Conflicts between landowners and the community over the use of the land
Difficulty in navigating complex laws and regulations related to spatial planning and land conversion
Limited resources and capacity to address the issue
Resistance from some community members to changing their traditional practices and customs.

Note: The questions and answers provided are fictional and for demonstration purposes only.