Etnobotani Arenga pinnata (Wurmb) Merr. oleh Masyarakat Lokal Desa Bah Bolon Tongah Sumatera Utara dan Konservasinya

Arenga pinnata is a multifunctional plant used by various ethnic groups in Indonesia, including the Batak Ethnics in North Sumatra. Ethnobotany study is one way to find out the sustainable use of A. pinnata. Local people in the village of Bah Bolon Tongah, Panei District, North Sumatra, to date intensively use A. pinnata and cultivate it. This study aims to examine the use of A. pinnata and its conservation conservatives by the Batak ethnic community in the village of Bah Bolon Tongah, North Sumatra. This research was conducted with an ethnobotany approach through surveys and interviews with informants. Data analysis was carried out qualitatively to explain the utilization and conservation of A. pinnata. The Arenga pinnata by the local community in the Bah Bolon Tongah village is called pola, bagot, and tuak. The A. pinnata’s organs have different names is hodong (a compound leaf), halto (inflorescence), and ijuk (fibers produced by the stem). All parts of A. pinnata have been used, such as leaves (roof, broom), stems (water pipes, buffalo bridles, "combs"), fibers (roofs, brooms), male inflorescence (sap), and fruit (kolang-kaling). Those sap is used as a traditional drink known as tuak and is sold to collectors. People who have dry land cultivate A. pinnata, especially sloping land, so they can withstand landslides. The source of the puppies is chosen based on the character of the host with good vigor. Kata kunci: Arenga pinnata, conservation, tuak