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A faith at risk of disappearing
For God: Malim believers dance and present offerings to thank God for the harvest
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For God: Malim believers dance and present offerings to thank God for the harvest. JP/Hotli Simanjuntak
“I’m proud of being a follower of Malim. I feel at peace with myself and capable of being compassionate,” said Saunur boru Sitorus, a devout Parmalim.
“It’s not because my parents are Parmalim [that I chose to be one as well]. It’s my choice as a Batak,” she added.
Her choice to identify herself as a Parmalim does have its consequences. Apart from suffering from discrimination, she has also had to make concessions to fit into the country’s educational system.
“In school and college, I had to pick one of the six official religions as a subject to pass my exams. Otherwise I would have never graduated,” she recalled.
Saunur Boru Sitorus is one of thousands of younger Parmalim. The responsibility to continue and regenerate this indigenous faith has thus fallen into the lap of this younger generation. Should the number of Parmalim youngsters decrease, the faith will likely disappear.
“From the beginning we have prepared and urged the younger generation of Parmalim to take responsibility for the Batak religion and culture that has started waning,” said Wanri Lumbanraja, general chairman of the Indonesian Parmalim Generation.
Wanri realizes it is impossible to isolate young Parmalin from the influence of other religions as they interact in society. But he fears they are likely to abandon their native faith and culture.
To prevent Malim from disappearing, frequent dialogue and meetings between Parmalim are strongly encouraged.
“At such meetings, we usually teach them to love the Batak faith and culture,” noted Wanri. At an early age, youngsters are introduced to Malim and relevant elements of Batak culture, “for instance, the Batak language and ulos [traditional cloths].”
As Malim books are written in Batak and characters, younger Parmalim are forced to learn their language at an early age. This type of education does not preclude them from studying science, Wanri added.
“A lot of Parmalim youths have been successful in branches of science and various careers. Today they are scattered all over the country as part of the Indonesian society.”
