Crossing Lake Toba, President Jokowi Slings Ulos Pinunsaan

President Joko Widodo (center) slings a Ulos Pinunsaan cloth as he prepares to cross Lake Toba from Ajibata Port in Toba Regency to Ambarita Harbor in Samosir Regency/ Antara

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo was greeted by a traditional Batak procession and wearing an Ulos Pinunsaan as he crossed Lake Toba from Ajibata Harbor, Toba Regency, to Ambarita Harbor, Samosir Regency, Wednesday, February 2.

Based on an official statement from the Presidential Secretariat Press Bureau received in Jakarta, Ulos cloth was slung before President Jokowi boarded the ferry.

The head of the Dalihan Natolu Traditional Institute of Toba Regency, Jonang MP Sitorus, explained that Ulos cloth was given as a very basic sign of welcoming the people to their leader.

"One sheet is called Ulos Pinunsaan. Ulos Pinunsaan means Ulos wrapping blessings so that the President is blessed by God in leading the Indonesian nation and continuing to run the Indonesian government, God bless you, be given health, and be given blessings", said Jonang as quoted by Antara on Wednesday, February 2nd.

"Ulos can only be used by people who already have grandchildren. We know that the President has been blessed by God with grandchildren, so the President has the right to use the Ulos Pinunsaan", he added.

After receiving the Ulos Pinunsaan sling, the President continued the traditional procession in the form of sowing rice which means asking God for blessings in the hope that the blessing will come to guests who come to Batak land.

"Just as the weight descends to the earth after being sprinkled on top, that's how many blessings are given to guests who come to Batak land", said Jonang.

Jonang explained that the two processions were part of a way to appreciate the basic cultural values of the people around Lake Toba.

After that, the President seemed to drop kaffir limes into Lake Toba which became a procession for the Batak people's belief that the fruit could cure diseases and heal the hearts of residents around the Lake Toba area.

"Reassembled by sprinkling holy water from a cup with banyan leaves as a sign that the ships that will sail on Lake Toba are ships that are still protected, blessed, and accompanied by God Almighty", concluded Jonang.

The President crossed to Samosir in a series of working visits he made in North Sumatra. In Samosir, the President is scheduled to inaugurate the arrangement of the Huta Siallagan Area as well as review the arrangement of the Huta Raja area and inaugurate the Ulos Huta Raja Village in Panguruan District.

Also accompanying the President on the crossing to Samosir were Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Minister of Public Works and Public Housing, Basuki Hadimuljono, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, and North Sumatra Governor, Edy Rahmayadi.