Hobon Stone is a cultural and earth heritage site for Batak and Lake Toba. Located near the former residence of Si Raja Batak at Sianjur Mula Mula, Samosir, the stone is a geological object spewed out by the volcanic eruption 74,000 years ago. To see it on the map, click here.
What’s Special
Residents see Hobon Stone as as a treasure box (“hobon” means box). There are Pagar (an ancient potion to repel diseases), Piso Solom Debata (a sacred sword), Tintin Sipajadi-jadi (a magical ring), musical instruments, other relics, and books of teachings of ancestors about the philosophy of Batak inside the stone. The stone box is the work of King Uti, a son of Si Raja Batak (the name of the first Batak king). He crafted it and put it where it is today to preserve the heritage for generations to come. According to the legend, he is still alive and will return to reunite Bataks someday.
Local people believe that no one but him can open the storage. Efforts to destroy the rock and uncover the treasures have failed at least three times. Here is the story of the 3 attempts against Hobon Stone based on the legend.
| Timeline | Perpetrators | Chronology |
| ~ 1800 | A Dutch officer from Pangururan, Samosir | He came with dynamite, other equipment, and some personnel. As they prepared the tools to blow up the stone, suddenly came a heavy torrential rain, accompanied by winds and thunder. The lightning stroke him to faint. He died afterward. |
| ~ 1958 | A local soldier | The soldier tried to unlock the stone by firing on the rock. But the stone remained intact even though he had run out of his bullet supplies. In fact, the soldier went insane and scared. He walked around and shot randomly with his empty gun. He also died not long after that. |
| Recently | East Sumatran | The man wanted to take the treasures in Hobon Stone. Then he came along with some people and equipment. They had opened the top cover, but suddenly they saw a giant snake on the rock, so they ran off and blew their efforts. The leader died shortly after that. |
What to Enjoy
As a spiritual tourist destination as well as a cultural heritage, the stone shall enrich your insights into the richness of Batak values. Hobon Stone is an example of how much they love and believe in their ancestors. When visiting this place, Batak pilgrims usually bring offerings to ancestors such as betel, lime, and others. Most Batak people, especially the descendants of Saribu Raja (one of Batak kings), consider this place sacred.
At the same time, you will also find beautiful panorama in the area, from the hills to the bends of the hillside.
For general tourists, there are no fixed rules. You can visit Hobon Stone without having to worry about what to do there. Just keep your modesty and do not damage the objects around the stone chest. This is to ensure that the cultural heritage and some noble values are maintained.
What to Expect
Entrance is free. You will see people pray or put up offerings for the ancestors on the stone. You need to approach it to see the rock. It is inside a building now with a fence around it to prevent the heritage object from being damaged.
What Visitors Say
“I was surprised, but those people preserved the sanctity of ancestral customs. Respect.” Travenesia (Source)
“Don’t forget to visit this place when you go to Samosir” Kalam Jalin (Source)
“Nice place to visit and beautiful scenery” Ferdinand Pasaribu (Source)
“Various beauties that lie on Lake Toba and on the island of Samosir, until this area is dubbed as a piece of heaven. Various kinds of beauty and nature exposed on this island coupled with Lake Toba which is recognized as the largest lake in Indonesia, Hobon Stone is one of the beauty and natural wonders that occur here.” petualang nyasar (Source)
Next point of interest: