Negotiation of the Role of Batak Women in the Modern Era: A Challenge to the Domination of the Patriarchy of Dalihan Na Tolu

Abstract

Dalihan Na Tolu, the cultural value system of the Toba Batak people, has long been the foundation for regulating social relations, particularly those related to the position and role of women. However, the dynamics of modernity, globalization, and women's increasing access to education and public spaces have driven a significant negotiation process against the patriarchal structures inherent in the system. This study aims to analyze how Batak women negotiate their roles in the modern era, as well as to identify forms of resistance, adaptation, and transformation that emerge in response to the dominance of the patriarchal culture of Dalihan Na Tolu. Using a qualitative approach through literature studies and semi-structured interviews, this study found that Batak women now utilize cultural identity, professional capacity, and social networks as negotiation strategies to gain broader agency space both within the family and the traditional community. The results show that although the values ​​of Dalihan Na Tolu still strongly regulate the social structure, there has been a reinterpretation of the concept of "somba marhulahula, manat mardongan tubu, elek marboru" so that women have greater opportunities to participate in decision-making, family economics, and traditional activities. This negotiation process not only reflects the dynamics of social change but also serves as a form of cultural renewal relevant to the contemporary context. This research concludes that Batak women in the modern era are not merely objects of the patriarchal system but have become active actors reinterpreting their position within the framework of Dalihan Na Tolu.