# Batak Muslims

Batak Muslims or Islamized Bataks (Toba Batak: ᯅᯖ᯲ᯖ ᯘᯪᯞᯬᯔ᯲, Batta Silom) refers to the Batak (native of central and northern regions of the Indonesian island of Sumatra) who embraced Islam as their religion. Historically, the Batak people practiced animism, with a strong emphasis on ancestral worship and other traditional beliefs. The transition to Islam among the Batak occurred gradually, with the early historical record started since at least 8th or 9th century, as a result of trade relations, missionary activities, and the influence of nearby Islamic-based monarchs in pre-colonial Indonesia.

## Demographic

The majority of Batak Muslims belong to the Coastal Batak groups, such as the Alas–Kluet (Aceh-influenced Bataks), Dairi–Pakpak, Mandailing and Simalungun Bataks (also includes some of Karo and Toba Bataks in vicinity coastal regions). These Batak groups are primarily located in the coastal regions of Sumatra, where they were more susceptible to Arab/Islamic influences due to their engagement in trade and their proximity to predominant Arab/Islamic-based powers; notably the Acehnese sultanates of Peureulak, Samudra Pasaoë and Acèh in northernmost Sumatra, as well as the Minangkabau kingdom of Pagaruyuang in western Sumatra. As a result, the coastal Batak communities were among the first to adopt Islam, with the religion becoming entrenched in their practices over time.

## Impacts
### Batak estrangement

Batak estrangement is a socio-cultural phenomenon within Batak society, driven by differences in religious beliefs, particularly between the predominantly non-Muslim Bataks and the Muslim minority. The marginalization of Batak Muslims has led to their classification as an “outskirt group”, emphasizing how ethnic identity within the Batak community is intricately tied to religious affiliation. This division has also prompted the formation of distinct subgroups, such as the Minangkabau, who, after undergoing Islamization, distanced themselves from their Batak roots due to their adherence to Islamic values and Sharia law.

#### Minangkabau case

Despite their religious and cultural transformation, the Minangkabau retain strong connections to their Batak heritage. Linguistic, cultural, and genealogical practices, such as the use of the Tarombo (a traditional ancestry framework), reflect their Batak-origins.
* Genealogical
The Minangkabau distinguish themselves from the Batak by adopting a matrilineal clan system, contrasting with the common Batak’s patrilineal system.$^{:96}$ However, it is noteworthy that matrilineal-based clans in Batak society have also been historically recognized, albeit in limited contexts. These matrilineal structures were primarily associated with practices of inter-cousin marriage, which were relatively uncommon among the Batak. The emergence of cousin marriages within Batak society is believed to have coincided with the arrival and cultural influence of Arab traders and settlers in Sumatra. Given that Islam permits marriage between cousins, it is speculated that this practice may have influenced the Minangkabaus who later adopted the Batak matrilineal-based clan system approach. The Minangkabau’s ethnonym, derived from the Batak phrase “mainang ka bou”, commonly used in its clan determination system, meaning 'to follow the female (maternal) side' further underscores this distinction.
* Linguistic
In linguistic side, most of Minangkabau words are factually inherited from its Northwestern-Batak roots. Below are the comparison list of both languages:
Comparison of Batak and Minangkabau languages :
| Batak | Minangkabau | Translation |
| adong | ado | exist |
| omak | amak | mother² |
| ganjang | gonjong | long |
| godang | gadang | big, great |
| inang | inang | mother¹ |
| indada | indak | no |
| hetek | ketek | small |
| horsik | kasiak | sand |
| inum | inum | drink |
| jala | jo | and |
| ruma | rumah | house |
| sude | sado | all |

## Pseudo-Islamism

In Batak Muslim community, Pseudo-Islamism refers to the adoption or adaptation of certain practices or beliefs that outwardly appear to align with Islam but are influenced by traditional Batak customs and local beliefs, often distorting or blending Islamic teachings with pre-Islamic Batak elements. This phenomenon can occur in any Batak groups where cultural traditions intersect with religious practices.

### Parmalim

Considered as the pre-Christianity belief of Batak, Parmalim is a term applied to the Batak people who adhered to a belief system that bears Islamic roots (often overlapped with 'Batak Muslims' itself). The term "parmalim" (ᯇᯒ᯲ᯔᯞᯪᯔ᯲) is a blend word of Batak and Arabic-origins, with “parma” (ᯇᯒ᯲ᯔ) means "to be/to follow" and “alim” (عالم) means "the wise". Therefore, the Parmalim itself can be roughly interpreted as the Batak’s wise religious teaching, which continue to uphold the Batak traditions.