Custom and Traditions

Medan is a multi ethnic city. Batak who traditionally inhabit the island areas of North Sumatra make up the majority but Deli Malay is the real native ethnic of Medan. A 100 years ago, the Bataks were active headhunters, which of course is commonly known in Indonesia and beyond. There are two groups of Bataks in Medan, the southern Bataks (Mandailing) who are Muslims and the northern Batak (Toba, Karo) who are predominantly Protestant Christian. Other Indonesia tribes like Acehnese, Minangkabau, Javanese etc, include Chinese and Indian also live in many parts here. Each of the mentioned tribes as well as the etnic group has its own dialect, religion, beliefs and traditional customs; in general the people of Medan are open, dynamic, and loud spoken, spontaneous and expressive.