Marga is a term in

Batak Batak is a collective term used to identify a number of closely related Austronesian ethnic groups predominantly found in North Sumatra, Indonesia, who speak Batak languages. The term is used to include the Karo, Pakpak, Simalungun, Tob ...

societies referring to a clan name. The term is derived either from the

Sanskrit Sanskrit (; attributively , ; nominally , , ) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan languages, Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in South Asia after its predecessor languages had Trans-cultural diffusion ...

''varga'', meaning company, party, or group, or, more likely, from the Sanskrit ''marga'', meaning 'road, way or path', referring to a people of 'one origin'. Batak ''marga'' are patrilineal. Marriage in the same ''marga'' is strictly forbidden by tribal law (

adat Alesis Digital Audio Tape (ADAT) is a magnetic tape format used for the recording of eight digital audio tracks onto the same S-VHS tape used by consumer VCRs. Although it is a tape-based format, the term ''ADAT'' now refers to its succ ...

) even between people only distantly related; but it is allowed and often even arranged between cousins of the maternal line (''boru''). After marriage, Batak women do not change their family (''marga'') name, but add "boru" to their birth name. Since Batak ''marga'' are patrilineal, the children will inherit the ''marga'' from their father. In Batak Toba

mythology Myth is a folklore genre consisting of narratives that play a fundamental role in a society, such as foundational tales or origin myths. Since "myth" is widely used to imply that a story is not objectively true, the identification of a narra ...

, ''marga'' are traced to the common ancestor "Si Raja Batak" (The King of the Batak). In

Karo Karo may refer to: Ethnic groups * Karo people (East Africa), a group of tribes in East Africa * Karo people (Ethiopia), an ethnic group from Ethiopia * Karo people (Indonesia), the indigenous people of the Karo Plateau in North Sumatra Languag ...

mythology, the five ''marga'' (Merga Silima) are defined in terms of matrimonial bonds, with no importance placed on a common ancestor myth.

Simalungun people The Simalungun people are an ethnic group in North Sumatra, considered one of the Batak peoples. Simalungun people live mostly in Simalungun Regency and the surrounding areas, including the city of Pematang Siantar, an autonomous city, but prev ...

have four basic ''marga'', each seen as equal, and likewise with no common ancestor myth.

Examples of ''marga''

This is some examples of Batak surnames with articles in

English Wikipedia The English Wikipedia is, along with the Simple English Wikipedia, one of two English-language editions of Wikipedia, an online encyclopedia. It was founded on January 15, 2001, as Wikipedia's first edition, and, as of , has the most arti ...

: * Batubara: Adam Malik Batubara (3rd

Vice President of Indonesia The vice president of the Republic of Indonesia ( id, Wakil Presiden Republik Indonesia) is second-highest officer in the executive branch of the Indonesian government, after the president, and ranks first in the presidential line of succ ...

Cosmas Batubara Cosmas Batubara (19 September 1938 – 8 August 2019) was an Indonesian politician. He was chairman and the co-founder of KAMI, an Indonesian anti-communist student group. He was one of the strongest proponents for the banning of the Communist Part ...

(former minister during

Suharto Suharto (; ; 8 June 1921 – 27 January 2008) was an Indonesian army officer and politician, who served as the second and the longest serving president of Indonesia. Widely regarded as a military dictator by international observers, Suharto l ...

era) * Datubara: Alfred Gonti Pius Datubara (archbishop) * Ginting:

Lyodra Ginting Lyodra Margareta Ginting (born 21 June 2003) is an Indonesian singer from Medan, North Sumatera. She was the winner of the A3 category (aged 13–15 years) at the ''2017 Sanremo Junior'' children's international solo singing competition in Sanre ...

(singer),

Anthony Sinisuka Ginting Anthony Sinisuka Ginting (; born October 20, 1996) is an Indonesian badminton player. He first rose to prominence when he won the bronze medal at the 2018 Asian Games. At the 2020 Olympics, he won bronze in the men's singles event. He became th ...

(badminton player), Tanta Ginting (Actor) * Girsang: Manampin Girsang (furniture entrepreneur) * Gultom: Ivan Doly Gultom (politician), Gloria Jessica Ulima Gultom (singer) * Harahap:

Burhanuddin Harahap Burhanuddin Harahap ( EVO: Boerhanoeddin Harahap; 12 February 1917 – 14 June 1987) was an Indonesian politician and lawyer who served as the 9th prime minister of Indonesia from 1955 until 1956. A member of the Masyumi Party, he also se ...

(former Prime Minister), Amir Sjarifoeddin Harahap (former Prime Minister) * Hasibuan: Anniesa Hasibuan (fashion designer and fraudster) * Hutagalung:

Nadya Hutagalung Nadya Yuti Hutagalung is an Indonesian-Australian model, actress, and presenter. She is known as the host and judge of the first two cycles of ''Asia's Next Top Model'', one of the first VJs on MTV Asia, and a VJ on American MTV. She was born ...

(

Indonesian-Australian Indonesian Australians are Australian citizens and residents of Indonesian origin. 48,836 Australian residents declared Indonesian ancestry on the 2011 Australian Census, while 63,160 stated they were born in Indonesia. Despite the proximity ...

model and actress),

Jesse Hutagalung Jesse Huta Galung (born 6 October 1985) is a former professional Dutch tennis player. Huta Galung has a career-high ATP singles ranking of World No. 91, achieved on 18 February 2014. He also has a career-high ATP doubles ranking of World No. ...

(Dutch tennis player) * Hutahaean:

Ramlan Hutahaean Ramlan Hutahaean (7 September 195529 June 2021) was an Indonesian Lutheran minister. He was the 9th General Secretary of the Batak Christian Protestant Church (HKBP) between 2008 and 2012. Early life Ramlan was born on 7 September 1955 in Sip ...

(Protestant clergyman),

Ferdinand Hutahaean Ferdinand is a Germanic name composed of the elements "protection", "peace" (PIE "to love, to make peace") or alternatively "journey, travel", Proto-Germanic , abstract noun from root "to fare, travel" (PIE , "to lead, pass over"), and "c ...

(politician) * Hutapea:

Hotman Paris Hutapea Hotman Paris Hutapea (born October 20, 1959) is an Indonesian lawyer and presenter. He is known for his flamboyant style, high-profile clients, luxurious lifestyle, and mistresses. Early life Hotman was born on 20 October 1959 in Laguboti villa ...

(lawyer) * Hutauruk:

Berlian Hutauruk Berlian Hutauruk (born 11 October 1957, in Jakarta) is an Indonesian soprano of Batak descent. Beginning her career singing religious music in church, Hutauruk later sang for movie soundtracks and released a solo album. She is best known for s ...

(singer) * Kaban:

Malam Sambat Kaban Malem Sambat Ka'ban (born 5 August 1958), also known as M. S. Ka'Ban, is an ex minister of forestry of Indonesia. Politics Kaban was a member of the People's Representative Council. He was a Crescent Star Party official before he was appoin ...

(minister) * Lubis:

Umar Lubis Umar Lubis (born July 14, 1973 in Jakarta) is an Indonesian actor. He is known for his numerous roles in soap operas. He always role in SinemArt soap opera. Usually he always role as father in soap opera. He is son in-law from Rae Sita. His name ...

(actor),

Todung Mulya Lubis Todung Mulya Lubis, S.H., L.LM. (born July 4, 1949 in Muara Botung, Kotanopan, Mandailing Natal, North Sumatra) is a lawyer and activist in Indonesia. He founded The law firm ''Lubis Santosa and Maulana'' in 1986, later ''Lubis Santosa and Maram ...

(advocate and activist),

Fatin Shidqia Lubis Fatin Shidqia Lubis (born 30 July 1996), better known as Fatin Shidqia or Fatin, is an Indonesian singer and actress who won the first season of ''X Factor Indonesia'' in May 2013. Fatin currently stands as the most successful winner of ''X Fac ...

(singer) * (Lumban) Tobing:

Ferdinand Lumbantobing Ferdinand Lumban Tobing (19 February 1899 – 7 October 1962) was Minister of Manpower and Transmigration of the Republic of Indonesia, Minister for Communications and Information of the Republic of Indonesia, Minister of Health of the Repu ...

(physician),

Joy Tobing Joy Destiny Tiurma Tobing (born 20 March 1980) is an Indonesian Gospel music, gospel singer and the winner of the first season of ''Indonesian Idol''. Biography Tobing was a gospel singer when she signed up for the first season of ''Indonesian ...

(Indonesian singer), Darwin Lumbantobing (Protestant clergyman) * Malau: Yoseph Malau (footballer) * Manik: El Manik (actor) * Marbun:

Timothy Marbun Timothy Marbun (born March 21, 1982 in Lhokseumawe, North Aceh Regency, North Aceh, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam) is an Indonesian presenter. Early life He lived in Aceh, Jakarta and in Oklahoma in his childhood, before finally settling in Jakarta. ...

(TV presenter) * Marpaung: Novita Dewi Marpaung (singer) * Nababan:

Putra Nababan Putra Nababan (born 28 July 1974) is an Indonesian newsreader, journalist and editor in chief of MetroTV. He has received four Panasonic Gobel awards. Early life and education Nababan was born with the name James Parulian Putra Nababan in Jakarta ...

(journalist) * Nainggolan:

Radja Nainggolan Radja Nainggolan (born 4 May 1988) is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for club SPAL. Nicknamed ''Il Ninja'', he spent almost his entire professional career in Italy, representing Piacenza, Cagliari, Roma and Inter ...

(Belgian footballer), Alfoncius Dapot Parulian "Cas Alfonso" Nainggolan (singer) * Nasution:

Abdul Haris Nasution General of the Army Abdul Haris Nasution ( Old Spelling: Abdoel Haris Nasution; 3 December 1918 – 6 September 2000), was a high-ranking Indonesian general and politician. He served in the military during the Indonesian National Revolution a ...

(

Indonesian Army The Indonesian Army ( id, Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Darat (TNI-AD), ) is the land branch of the Indonesian National Armed Forces. It has an estimated strength of 300,000 active personnel. The history of the Indonesian Army has its ...

general),

Darmin Nasution Darmin Nasution (born December 21, 1948) is an Indonesian economist and the current Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs. He was previously Governor of Bank of Indonesia, serving the role from 2010 to 2013 during Susilo Bambang ...

(economist),

Adnan Buyung Nasution Adnan Buyung Nasution, also known as Adnan Bahrum Nasution (20 July 1934 – 23 September 2015) was an Indonesian lawyer, advocate, and activist. Career Nasution founded the Legal Aid Institute in Indonesia. He was well known as a human righ ...

(lawyer), Diana Nasution (singer),

Prisia Nasution Prisia Wulansari Nasution or better known as Prisia Nasution (born in Jakarta, Indonesia 1 June 1984) is an Indonesian actress, model and martial artist of mixed Javanese and Batak descent. Biography Early life Nasution was born in Jakarta, In ...

(model and actress), Bobby Nasution (

Joko Widodo Joko Widodo (; born 21 June 1961), popularly known as Jokowi, is an Indonesian politician and businessman who is the 7th and current president of Indonesia. Elected in July 2014, he was the first Indonesian president not to come from an elit ...

son-in-law Son-in-Law (22 April 1911 – 15 May 1941) was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and an influential sire, especially for sport horses. The National Horseracing Museum says Son-in-Law is "probably the best and most distinguished stayer this c ...

Kaharuddin Nasution Kaharuddin Nasution (23 July 192525 September 1990) was an Indonesian military official, diplomat, and former Governor of Riau from 1960 to 1966 and Governor of North Sumatra from 1983 to 1988. Early life Kaharuddin Nasution was born on 23 Ju ...

(governor and lieutenant-general), Anneth Delliecia Nasution (singer), Saifuddin Nasution (Malaysian minister), Sholeh Mahmoed Nasution (Muslim televangelist) * Pakpahan:

Muchtar Pakpahan Muchtar Pakpahan (21 December 1953 – 21 March 2021) was an Indonesian labor leader who founded the first independent trade union in Indonesia. Pakpahan was active as a lawyer at Muchtar Pakpahan & Associates Law Firm and taught at the Law Fac ...

(labour activist) * Pane:

Armijn Pane Armijn Pane (18 August 1908 – 16 February 1970), also known as Adinata, A. Soul, Empe, A. Mada, A. Banner, and Kartono, was an Indonesian author. Life Armijn Pane was born in Moeara Sipongi, Tapanuli, Sumatra, the third of eight children. He ...

(writer) * Panggabean:

Maraden Panggabean General (Ret.) Maraden Saur Halomoan Panggabean (June 29, 1922 – May 28, 2000) or more commonly known as Maraden Panggabean was a prominent Indonesian general during the early years of General Suharto's New Order regime. Early life Panggabea ...

(general and politician), Mahyadi Panggabean (footballer) * Panjaitan: D. I. Panjaitan (Indonesian military leader),

Luhut Binsar Panjaitan Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan ( EYD: ''Luhut Binsar Panjaitan'', born 28 September 1947) is an Indonesian politician, businessman and retired four-star Army general, serving as Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment since October ...

(politician) * Pasaribu: Masinton Pasaribu (politician) * Pohan: Zainul Arifin Pohan (Muslim scholar) * Rangkuti: Hamsad Rangkuti (writer) * Sagala * Saragih: Bill Saragih (jazz musician) * Sarumpaet: Ratna Sarumpaet (artist and activist) * Sembiring:

Tifatul Sembiring Tifatul Sembiring (born 28 September 1961) is an Indonesian politician. He was chairman of the Islamic Prosperous Justice Party and Minister of Communication and Information in the Second United Indonesia Cabinet. Biography Life and Family ...

(politician) * Sihotang: Tommy Sihotang (attorney general) * Silaban:

Pantur Silaban Pantur Silaban (11 November 1937 – 1 August 2022) was an Indonesian physicist, regarded as one of the foremost in his profession in Indonesia, especially in the field of theoretical physics. He was also one of the earliest physicists from ASEA ...

(physicist) * Silaen:

Putri Ayu Silaen Putri Ayu Silaen (born 24 May 1997), commonly known as Putri Ayu, is an Indonesian Soprano singer who previously dabbled in the pop genre. She started her singing career at a young age by joining several singing competition in North Sumatra. ...

(singer) * Silalahi:

Rosianna Silalahi Rosianna Silalahi, full name Rosianna Magdalena Silalahi (born in Pangkal Pinang, Bangka Belitung, September 26, 1972), also known as Rosi, is an Indonesian news presenter and former editor in chief of Liputan 6 SCTV. She is currently the edito ...

(news anchor),

Duma Riris Silalahi Duma Riris Silalahi (born September 20, 1983) popularly known as Duma Riris is an Indonesian actress, singer, fashion model and a beauty pageant titleholder who won the title of Puteri Indonesia Lingkungan 2007. She represented Indonesia at ...

(runner-up of

Puteri Indonesia Puteri Indonesia ( jv, ( Hanacaraka) ꦦꦸꦠꦺꦫꦶꦆꦤ꧀ꦢꦺꦴꦤꦺꦱ; 'Princess of Indonesia') is a national beauty pageant in Indonesia that selects the winners to represent the country in two of the Big Four major inter ...

Sudi Silalahi Sudi Silalahi (July 13, 1949 – October 25, 2021) was an Indonesian politician and Indonesian army Lieutenant General. He was the Secretary of State of the Republic of Indonesia from October 22, 2009 to October 20, 2014. He was also the se ...

(minister) * Simangunsong: Dewi Lestari Simangunsong (singer-songwriter) * Simanjuntak: Riko Simanjuntak (Indonesian footballer), Marsillam Simanjuntak (attorney general and minister) * Simanullang: Ludovikus Simanullang (bishop) * Simatupang: Tahi Bonar Simatupang (former chief of staff of Indonesian Armed Forces) * Simarmata: Ledy Simarmata (News Presenter) * Simorangkir: Sari Simorangkir (gospel singer-songwriter) * Sinaga:

Reynhard Sinaga Reynhard Tambos Maruli Tua Sinaga (born 19 February 1983) is an Indonesian sex offender who was convicted of 159 sex offences, including 136 rapes of young men committed in Manchester, England, between 2015 and 2017, where he was living as a ...

(criminal), Ferdinand Sinaga (footballer), Saktiawan Sinaga (footballer),

Anicetus Bongsu Antonius Sinaga Anicetus Bongsu Antonius Sinaga, (25 September 1941 – 7 November 2020) was the Indonesian Roman Catholic bishop of the Diocese of Sibolga and then Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Medan from 2009 to 2018. Biography Sinaga was born in Nagado ...

(archbishop) * Sinambela: Mahadi Sinambela (politician) * Sirait: Sabam Sirait (Member of the

Regional Representative Council The Regional Representative Council ( id, Dewan Perwakilan Daerah, DPD; alternatively translatable as the House of Regions or the House of Regional Representatives or the Senate of Indonesia), is one of two parliamentary chambers in Indonesi ...

) * Siregar:

Mahendra Siregar Mahendra Siregar (born in Jakarta on 17 October 1962) is the chief of the Financial Services Authority (OJK) of Indonesia. He previously served as Deputy Foreign Minister and was formerly the Indonesian Ambassador to the United States. On 25 Oct ...

(economist and politician),

Zivanna Letisha Siregar Zivanna Letisha Siregar (born February 16, 1989) is an Indonesian talk show host, book writer, philanthropist, model and beauty pageant titleholder who won Puteri Indonesia 2008, She has a chance to represent Indonesia at Miss Universe 2009 Page ...

(model),

Merari Siregar Merari Siregar (13 July 1896 Sipirok, North Sumatra - 23 April 1941, Kalianget, Madura, East Java) was an Indonesian writer and also the author of the first novel written in Indonesian. He completed his studies at a ''Kweekschool'' and in 1923 ...

(writer),

Arifin Siregar Arifin Mohamed Siregar (11 February 1934 – 23 September 2019) was an Indonesian banker and politician who served as Minister of Trade, having previously been the Governor of the Bank Indonesia. He was born in Medan, and died, aged 85, in Jaka ...

(politician),

Raja Inal Siregar Raja Inal Siregar (5 March 1938 – 5 September 2005) was governor of North Sumatra from 1988 to 1998. He was among the Mandala Airlines Flight 091 crash victims, succumbing to his injuries a day after the crash. He was said to be on his way to ta ...

(governor) * Sitanggang: Paulo Sitanggang (footballer) * Sitompul: Ruhut Sitompul (actor and lawyer) * Sitorus: Martua Sitorus (Indonesian businessman) * Situmorang:

Sitor Situmorang Sitor Situmorang (2 October 1923 – 21 December 2014) was an Indonesian poet, essayist and writer of short stories. Situmorang was born in Harianboho, North Sumatra, and educated in Jakarta. He worked as a journalist and literary critic in Med ...

(author), Martinus Dogma Situmorang (bishop) * Tambunan: Edward Wellington Pahala Tambunan (governor) * Tarigan: Likas Tarigan (teacher and politician) *Tarotok

References

External links

Bona Ni Pasogit
Association of Batak tribes in Europe
Batak in english (new habeahan community)
Batak info and entertainment for people in English
Hutapea community

* {{in lang, id}
Silsilah Marga Harahap
Batak Surnames by culture