Flag of Batak

Bonang Manalu
ᯅᯬᯉᯰ ᯔᯉᯞᯮ
UseEthnic flag
DesignA horizontal tricolour of white, red, and black

The Flag of Batak is a tricolour flag consisting of the colours white, red, and black. The three colours, also known as Bonang Manalu (Toba Batak: ᯅᯬᯉᯰ ᯔᯉᯞᯮ; lit. 'Three Strings'),[1] Sitolu Warna (Toba Batak: ᯘᯪᯖᯬᯞᯮ ᯋᯒ᯲ᯉ; lit. 'The Three Colours'), or Tiga Bolit (Toba Batak: ᯖᯪᯎ ᯅᯬᯞᯪᯖ᯲; lit. 'The Entangled Three'),[2] are the main colours of the Batak people of North Sumatra, Indonesia.[3][4]

The Bonang Manalu flag doesn't have a fixed pattern scheme. While the white, red, and black pattern is widely used, there are other accepted variants too:

  • White, red, and black.
  • Red, white, and black.
  • Black, white, and red.

Colours and symbolism

The Bonang Manalu colours is a prominent symbol and closely tied to Batak culture, they appear as the main colours in gorga motifs, ulos, and more.[2][5] The colours has been interpreted as such:[2][6]

  • White represents purity, truth, and honesty
  • Red represents bravery, solidarity, and unity
  • Black represents strength, firmness, and leadership

The white-red-black variant of the Bonang Matalu is also an implementation of the values of Batak mythology:[3][4][2]

  • White representing the Upper World (Banua Ginjang) where Gods live
  • Red representing the Middle World (Banua Tonga) where mortals live
  • Black representing the Lower World (Banua Toru) where spirits and ghosts live

These colours can also be an interpretation of the day cycle: morning, noon, and night.[2]

Uses

The flag is used by the Batak people not as a symbol of separatism but a symbol of ethnic and cultural identity. The Bonang Manalu flag can be seen in sacred Batak places such as Pusuk Buhit.

See also

References

  1. ^ ""Bonang Manalu": Tiga Warna Dasar Ulos dalam Pemahaman Spiritual Batak | Kopitimes.id" (in Indonesian). 2019-04-28. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  2. ^ a b c d e admin (2022-12-23). "Gorga Dalam Kehidupan Batak Toba". GALASIBOT.CO.ID (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  3. ^ a b Kompasiana.com (2022-02-19). "Filosofi Warna Khas Batak Toba". KOMPASIANA (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2022-03-11.
  4. ^ a b Bisnis, Harian Medan. "Menggali Makna dari Tiga Warna  Batak". Jones Gultom - MedanBisnisDaily.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2022-03-11.
  5. ^ "Tujuh Motif Kain Ulos, Makna, dan Penggunaannya". Tempo (in Indonesian). 2022-09-24. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
  6. ^ "Dosen STB Lakukan Pembelajaran Tentang Tiga Warna Batak Di Laguboti - Mediamasip.com" (in Indonesian). 2023-05-08. Retrieved 2025-06-30.
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