FIB USU PR - On Thursday, May 8, 2025, the History Study Program of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) of the University of Sumatra (USU) together with the Karo Foundation held a Symposium entitled "The Relationship between the Aru Kingdom and the Karo Civilization" at the T. Amin Ridwan Building, FIB USU, which was also attended by Prof. Dr. Muryanto Amin, S.Sos., M.Sc. (USU Chancellor) who was represented by Prof. Dr. Poppy Anjelisa Zaitun Hasibuan, S.Sc., M.Sc., Apt., (Vice Chancellor III), Major General TNI (Ret.) Musa Bangun (General Chairperson of the Karo Foundation), Brigadier General. Pol. (Ret.) DR. dr. Antonius Ginting. Sp.OG., M.Kes (Karo Regent), Barata Brahmana (Chairperson of the Karo Foundation Board of Trustees), Speakers presented by Prof. Dr. Agus Mulyana, Prof. Dr. Erond L. Damanik, M.Sc, Dr. Mochtar Saidin, Dr. Pulumun P. Ginting, S.Sn., M.Sn, Drs. Suprayitno, M.Hum., Ph.D, Dr. Julianus Limbeng, M.Si, Repelita Wahyu Oetomo, M.Si., M. Azis Rizky Lubis, S.S., M.A., Ir. Analgin Ginting, Prof. Dr. Dra. T. Thyrhaya Zein, M.A (Dean of FIB USU), Prof. Drs. Mauly Purba, M.A., Ph.D. (Vice Dean I), Mhd. Pujiono, S.S., M.Hum., Ph.D. (Vice Dean III), Head of Study Program & Secretary of Study Program, Lecturers, Public Relations and Students of FIB USU.
Dr. Edi Sumarno, M.Hum., as the Chair of the committee, emphasized that this symposium was held to answer the gap in historical narratives after the fall of the Aru Kingdom in the 16th century due to an attack by the Aceh Sultanate. This activity is also a concrete effort to explore the historical background, culture, and Karo civilization through a scientific approach.
"The purpose of this symposium is to reveal the historical relationship between the Aru Kingdom and the Karo civilization."
Prof. Dr. Dra. T. Thyrhaya Zein, M.A., (Dekan FIB USU) said that this collaboration is a collaborative academic activity initiated by the Faculty of Cultural Sciences together with the Karo Foundation, and implemented through the History Study Program. The Dean also hopes that the results of this symposium will be documented in the form of a reference book for academics and the wider community who have a mandate to preserve the nation's culture, so the FIB faculty has an important role in developing it.
"We would like to thank the speakers, this academic activity has resulted in collaboration and cooperation. We have talked a lot about how to implement this collaboration, we hope that the Karo Foundation can help with the Faculty's International program," he said.
Mayjen TNI (Purn) Musa Bangun (Ketua Umum Karo Foundation) )hoping that through this activity, it will provide a picture of the true identity of the Karo. The Karo Foundation is here to bring a breakthrough to collaborate with academics and the government.
"If we talk about the Aru kingdom, even few Karo people know about it. Through this symposium, we can move forward, especially for the Karo civilization," he said.
"Here we are looking for clear legitimacy regarding the history of the Karo civilization," he said.
Brigjen. Pol. (Purn.) DR. dr. Antonius Ginting. Sp.OG., M.Kes (Bupati Karo) conveyed the story of the Aru Kingdom and the Karo Society not only as a relic of the past, but as a source of policy to form a dynamic and inclusive culture.
This symposium is the result of collaboration between the Karo Foundation and the History Study Program, FIB USU.
"The relationship between the Aru Kingdom and the Karo Civilization is very close, because the Aru Kingdom is basically a manifestation of the politics and culture of the Karo Society in the East Coast Region of North Sumatra." he said
"The Aru Kingdom is not only proof of the progress of the Karo civilization, but also shows the ability of the Karo Society to adapt to external influences to maintain their cultural identity." He said
The Karo Regent also invited all parties, especially the younger generation to make the legacy of the Aru Kingdom and the Karo Civilization an inspiration for modern culture.
Prof. Dr. Poppy Anjelisa Zaitun Hasibuan, S.Si., M.Si., Apt., (Wakil Rektor III USU) said that this activity is important to see from various aspects, both cultural and local wisdom.
"Exploring the value of cultural history in accordance with the theme so that it can be studied more deeply. This is one of USU's branding to increase internationalization, one of our advantages is the activities in the Faculty of Cultural Sciences," he said.
Analgin Ginting (Sekretaris Jenderal Karo Foundation) stated that this symposium is an initial step to provide historical clarity, especially for the younger generation of Karo.
"We hope that after there is academic legitimacy, the younger generation of Karo will be even more proud to know that their ancestors were tough sailors who mastered the maritime as far as China and the Strait of Malacca," he said.
According to Analgin, the success of many Karo people in the maritime field, such as in the Marine Corps, cannot be separated from this historical heritage. However, so far the historical narrative of the Aru Kingdom is still unclear, so in-depth research is needed by academics.
"This is not a one-time job, but requires ongoing collaboration with researchers and universities. We plan to involve students, especially those from the Karo Tribe, to conduct further research on Karo culture and history," he said.
The Karo Foundation is committed to supporting this effort, both in terms of funding and other facilities. This symposium is expected to be an important momentum in revealing and preserving the historical heritage of the Karo Tribe, while strengthening cultural identity amidst modernization.
"We want this history to not only be a story, but also to motivate the younger generation to explore and be proud of their cultural roots," said Analgin.
This activity received appreciation from various parties, including USU academics, who welcomed the collaboration in historical and anthropological research to reveal the relationship between the Aru Kingdom and the Karo Tribe more comprehensively.
Dra. Junita Setiana Ginting, M.Si., (Sekretaris Prodi Ilmu Sejarah FIB USU), a member of Pilar 1 Karo Foundation, assessed this symposium as an important step in strengthening the Karo cultural identity.
"The Karo Tribe has extraordinary potential that needs to be explored. Through this activity, we retrace the relationship that has long been buried by time," she said.
This symposium is a manifestation of the Karo Foundation's concern for the History of civilization in North Sumatra, especially Karo History and Culture in collaboration with the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, University of North Sumatra.
In this Symposium activity, the signing of MOA (Memorandum of Agreement), Cooperation Agreement between Karo Foundation represented by Major General TNI (Ret.) Musa Bangun (General Chairperson) with FIB USU represented by Prof. Dr. Dra. T. Thyrhaya Zein, MA, (Dean of FIB USU) in the Symposium on the Relationship between the Aru Kingdom and Karo Civilization witnessed by Prof. Dr. Poppy Anjelisa Zaitun Hasibuan, S.Si., M.Si., Apt., (Vice Chancellor III USU) is a continuation of the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) that has been signed between Karo Foundation and USU.