Local Wisdom of Dayok Binatur in the Simalungun Community

Abstract

This research is concerned with the local wisdom of Dayok Binatur in the Simalungun community. Local wisdom is a collection of knowledge, practices and beliefs that evolved through adaptive process (adjustment) passed from generation to generation through culture, associated with the relationship between living beings (including humans) and the surrounding environment (Berkes, 1993). In the Simalungun community, Dayok Binatur is made from chicken and arranged on a plate. It is used as a symbol of intermediary to convey a message, advice and hope delivered from one side of the family to the other and usually presented at the Simalungun community’s traditional and special events. This research was conducted using qualitative descriptive methods. The results show that there are ten parts of chicken meat called gori, namely the head (ulu), neck (borgok), breast (tuppak), left and right wing (habong), base of thigh (tulan bolon), thigh (tulan parnamur), leg (kais-kais), the egg-producing organ (tuahni), liver (bilalang), and tail (ihur). Four objects are used, such as the head (ulu), neck (borgok), wing (hahong), and leg (kais-kais), which carry cultural symbols and local wisdom. The head (ulu) refers to leadership; the neck (borgok) refers to problem solving; the wings (habong) refers to protection; and the leg (kais-kais) refers to responsibility. The local wisdoms in Dayok Binatur are needed to maintain the balance of life.
 Keywords: Local Wisdom, Simalungun, Dayok Binatur

Phenotypic and Genotypic Characteristics of Dayok Mirah Chickens

“…Initially, Dayok Nabinatur was prepared for certain activities or purposes, from preparation to presentation and delivery, which had special rules [7]. However, currently, Dayok Nabinatur can be purchased online and can be ordered the day before the ceremony.…”

“…From a spiritual perspective, the presentation of the four types of chicken is as follows; Red-colored chickens (Dayok Mirah) are given to leaders or elders, white-colored chickens (Dayok Silopak) are given to saints or ancestors, Dayok Sabur Bintang are given to children who are going to school or people who are starting new businesses, and lastly Dayok Jarum Bosi chickens are given to Galang or Batara Guru. However, the most famous of the local Simalungun chicken is Dayok Mirah, because it was once given as food for warlords [7]. Community stories regarding this type of Simalungun chickens are still being debated, but Dayok Mirah is currently well-known as a basic ingredient for making culinary food known as Dayok Nabinatur.…”

“…The origin of Dayok Mirah During the Simalungun Kingdom, Dayok Nabinatur was given to kings or warlords, so it can be assumed that Dayok Nabinatur was the food of ancient officials. Therefore, it was very possible that this chicken was specially raised in the royal area, because it was the food for kings or warlords [7]. Isolated rearing from other free-range chickens has resulted in more uniformity of the Dayok Mirah phenotype and had a distinguishing characteristic from other local chickens.…”