Although small, there are many things you can do at Samosir Island. Read further to find out 5 activities that you can do on Samosir Island.
1 | Shop until dropping at Tomok Market
Start at the current market and learn something about the island. Experience the sights, the taste, and the odor in their everyday action, and you’ll feel just like a local. Tomok itself is a traditional village, best known as the gateway and introduction to Samosir. Many shops in the main road and stalls bordering the alleyways sell a great deal of the same things which can be found in the traditional market — a broad range of tropics fruits vegetables, flowers, various dry fish, spices and meat. Tomok market is considered the right place for photo opportunities.
2 | Satisfy Your Hunger with Mie Gomak
Mie Gomak is a traditional curry noodle dish of the Batak Toba. Mie signifies noodle and Gomak means ‘preparation by hand’ in the native language. There are two ways to prepare this dish in broth or fried. The noodle is square-cut, very thick, and orange. The curry is reddish smooth but not too spicy. The dish is served alongside condiments like kerisik (grated dry-fried coconut), and sambalandaliman (a chili sauce made from a regional Batak pepper) and a boiled egg can occasionally be asked as a topping. The best time to consume Mie Gomak is in cold weather as the tasty spices will heat the entire body
3 | Establish a new trend: wear an Ulos
Ulos is a typical traditional woven fabric that symbolizes the bond of affection between parents and kids or, between an individual and others. Ulos has a symbolic function for a broad range of aspects in Batak life, and kinds in color and themes of ulos have different ceremonial significance. Ulos is worn in traditional rituals from birth to marriage to funerals. Batak people use it on their heads, shoulders, lower torso, and around their body. Depending upon the fabric, a bit of Ulos ranges in price from IDR 25,000.00 — IDR 5,000,000.00.
These days, traditional clothes like Ulos in stylish designs became the latest upmarket fashion in Indonesia.
4 | Learn how to Dance the Tor-Tor
Tor Tor is a traditional dance of the Batak ethnic group. The name ‘Tor Tor’ is derived from the sound of communal of thighs made when groups of people engage in this dance. Typically Tor Tor is accompanied by ceremonial music using tools like the gondang. At festive events, the rhythm of music is more upbeat and cheerful when whenwhen compared to the more solemn ceremonies like funerals.
Each movement of the Tor-Tor dance is associated with a deep significance and incites emotion and interaction among participants of the ceremony. In each single wedding ceremony of the Batak ethnic group, the groom and bride need to carry out a Tor-Tor dance as is customary. The dance movement is mostly in the fingers, and an Ulos is worn over the shoulder of each dancer.
