Erlau-Lau: A Form of Local Wisdom In The Karo Ethnic In Tiga Binanga Distric, Karo Regency

Abstract

Humans will not be able to survive without nature. However, even without humans, nature will survive and continue to evolve. Therefore, it is important to maintain the balance of nature, because a damage to nature can threaten the balance of life. Not only caused by the convertion of too much land in order to meet human needs, it is also believed that damages can also arise as a result of activities that are considered taboo, but are still carried out by humans. Consequently, it is not uncommon for natural phenomenas to be associated with human behaviors. Because of the fear of a disaster coming from the nature, humans then create cultures in hopes to be able to make peace and unite with nature. These cultures were created to facilitate the peace-making process and the unification with nature in order to restabilize the social and economic situations of the community. A culture that is continuously carried out becomes a tradition for the community as one of the local wisdoms. This is how Erlau-lau became a tradition, as a result of the strike of a draught in the region. The discussion will start from the community background, social and economic situations, as well as the emergence of the Erlau-lau as a form of local wisdom.