Batak Muslims

Batak Muslims or Islamized Bataks^[a] (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 and became Muslim. 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,^[b] as a result of trade relations, missionary activities, and the influence of nearby Islamic-based monarchs in pre-colonial Indonesia.

The majority of Batak Muslims belong to the Coastal Batak groups, such as the Mandailing Bataks, Angkola Bataks, Simalungun Bataks,^[1] Kluet Bataks, Batubara Bataks, and some of Toba Bataks. These Batak groups are primarily located in the coastal regions of Sumatra, where they were more susceptible to Islamic influences due to their engagement in trade and their proximity to predominant Islamic-based powers; notably the Acehnese sultanates of Peureulak, Samudra Pasai, and Aceh in northernmost Sumatra, as well as the Islamic 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.

The introduction of Islam brought significant changes to the cultural elements of Batak society. Islamic teachings integrated with existing local Batak customs, producing a distinctive blend of religious and cultural practices. For example, while Batak Muslims continued to honor certain ancestral traditions, Islamic values, especially regarding family and social life, began to shape their societal structures. Islamic religious practices and observances were incorporated into local festivals, rituals, and ceremonies, leading to the development of a unique cultural identity that fuses Islamic and Batak traditions.

Islam's influence on the Batak community also manifested in linguistic changes. Batak Muslims adopted numerous Arabic (and Persian) terms, particularly in religious contexts, which further distinguished them from non-Muslim Batak groups. This linguistic shift reflects the broader integration of Islamic principles into daily life, creating a discernible cultural difference between Batak Muslims and their non-Muslim counterparts. Over time, this blending of Islamic and Batak cultural elements has led to the emergence of a distinct Batak Muslim identity.

The Islamization of the Batak people has resulted in the formation of a unique subgroup within the larger Batak ethnic community. The coastal Bataks, due to their exposure to trade and Islamic centers, were among the first to adopt Islam, which has profoundly influenced their religious practices, cultural customs, and language. Today, Batak Muslims stand as a distinct group within the broader Batak population, reflecting a fusion of indigenous Batak traditions and Islamic beliefs.

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.

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.

• Dayak Muslims
• Arab Muslims

• Marpangir: The Batak Muslims’ activity to welcome Ramadan