Research Paper
Year: 2018 | Month: September | Volume: 5 | Issue: 9 | Pages: 164-171
Facts and Values of Karo’s “Merga Purba” Folk Stories
Hariadi Susilo, Asni Barus, Salliyanti
Faculty of Cultural Sciences, University of Sumatera Utara, Jalan Dr. Mansyur Padang Bulan, Medan, Indonesia
Corresponding Author: Hariadi Susilo
ABSTRACT
The facts of myths, legends, and mythical beliefs belong to the genre of oral folklore. As it is generally understood myth is a sacred folklore having gods or half-gods as their figures and while legend is meant a people's prose which is considered to have occurred in the world in the not-too-distant past and had human beings as the characterswho had tremendous qualities and were assisted by magical creatures. Such religious beliefs not only describe the sacred beings such as gods or angels, and unseen natures, like heaven or hell, but what is more important is the relations between such creatures with humans’ real world of life. The research is qualitative, taking into accountsonly on the primary data in which the observation was held in several locationssuch as Seribudolok, Pematangpurba, Kaban, Lau Gendek, Gunung Barus and Gunung Singkut or in Beluh Duri and was focused on ethnographic aspects. Results show that "Merg Purba" folk stories are oriented to (1) shamans as astrologers, (2) springs as medicine, and (3) shower ritual. Furthermore, the fairy tales of beliefcontain (1) an angel, (2) damage prevention to the natural environment, and (3) the value of cohesiveness/togetherness. Likewise, in the legend, the beliefs may include (1) the value of ethics of decency, (2) the origin name of Kaban Jahe, and (3) fairy logic.
Key words: Merga Purba, Karo, facts, values, folk stories, belief, folklore
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