REPRESENTATION OF LIVING VALUES IN BATAK TRADITIONAL SONGS

ABSTRACT : This research talks about the Batak Toba people values of life in popular Batak songs. This study uses Roland Barthes Semiotics that interpret the sign to get the denotation and connotation meaning up to the mythology. The three values of Batak Toba being researched are Hamoraon (Wealth), Hagabeon (get descendant), Hasangapon (Honored), abbreviated 3H. These values are reflected through the lyrics of songs like Borhat ma da inang, Anakku na burju. These songs describe messages from Batak Toba parents for their children during some stages of life such as marriage and sojourning (wander). Furthermore, the lyrics of the song Anakkon Hi Do Hamoraon highligting the importance of a child as wealth for the Batak Toba people. While the song titled Poda contains powerfully elements of traditional values and family because it contains elements of the advice to always pray to God, respect for an older person beside that to remember that no matter where the child was, the boy took the family name and always be example and as a way for the other younger. Meanwhile, songs like Di Jou ahu mulak, “O Tano Batak”, “Pulo Samosir” describes a strong longing for home. The study also found that besides the values of 3H in Batak songs lyrics,values of love and romance between man and woman are also illustrated in the song Na sonang do hita nadua, “Sai anju ma ahu, Whilst, social values is found in the song Anak Medan, which describes the same feeling shared with others Bataknese overseas. Keywords: Representation, life values, Batak songs , Roland Barthes Semiotic