Cultural and Religious Dimensions of Marsialapari and Markobar Traditions in the Mandailing Community

Abstrak

The decline of traditional communal practices in contemporary rural societies raises concerns about the sustainability of mutual cooperation (gotong royong) and social solidarity. In the Mandailing community, the Marsialapari and Markobar traditions continue to be practiced, yet their roles as mechanisms of mutual cooperation are rarely examined systematically. This study aims to analyze the Marsialapari tradition as a form of collective agricultural labor and the Markobar tradition as a cooperative communicative practice in maintaining social solidarity and family formation within Mandailing society. This research applies a qualitative historical approach with a descriptive-narrative orientation. Data were collected through participant observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation involving traditional leaders and community members who actively practice Marsialapari and Markobar. The fieldwork was conducted in May-July 2025. The results show that Marsialapari represents an institutionalized form of mutual cooperation based on voluntary participation, reciprocity, and rotational labor in rice field cultivation. This tradition strengthens social bonds, collective responsibility, and community unity through shared physical work. Meanwhile, Markobar functions as a form of social and communicative cooperation rooted in the Dalihan Na Tolu system, serving as a collective deliberation process in family and customary ceremonies. Although its duration has shortened in modern practice, Markobar continues to preserve values of togetherness, consensus, and mutual respect. Together, these traditions function as cultural mechanisms that sustain gotong royong and reinforce social harmony in the Mandailing community.