The MEANINGS AND VALUES OF THE AQUATIC LEXICONS FOUND IN BATAK TOBA “UMPASA”: AN ANTHROPOLINGUISTIC STUDY

Authors

  • Lisbeth Sirait
  • Angelina Bona Putri
  • Vivian Ruth Brigitha Panjaitan Universitas Kristen Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33541/dia.v12i1.7014

Keywords:

Umpasa, Aquatic lexicons, Anthropolinguistics, Values, Batak Toba

Abstract

Umpasa, a Batak Toba poem, is one of the varieties of traditional oral literature owned by the Toba Batak community. During a customary ritual, umpasa is said to be an expression or prayer made to God. Only elders or close relatives who are expressive and rhythmic in their delivery of umpasa are permitted to do so. This serves as a sign that the elders or relatives have a thorough understanding of the customary rite. There are many umpasa that use aquatic lexicons found in Batak umpasa, this is because Bataknese live around Lake Toba, such as Samosir island, North Tapanuli region and 5 others regions. This research aimed to analyse meanings and values of umpasa that use aquatic lexicons found in Batak Toba. Descriptive qualitative methodology was employed in this study by using anthropolinguistic theory which studies the text and performance of oral traditions within the framework of anthropology, studying the cultural context, ideological context, social context, and situational context of oral traditions within the framework of linguistics. This approach is employed due to the fact that the data source under investigation consists of transcripts of speeches collected from documents. The research results illustrate the following. First, Batak Toba umpasa regulates the relationship between man and God, man and man, man and nature. Second, the values found in aquatic lexicons umpasa are religious value, solidarity, commitment, gratitude, hard work, mutual cooperation, welfare value.

Key words: umpasa, aquatic lexicons, anthropolinguistics, values

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Published

2025-07-28