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The Epic Interactive Encyclopedia 1998
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Epic Interactive Encyclopedia, The - 1998 Edition (1998)(Epic Marketing).iso
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B
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Batak
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INFOTEXT
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1992-09-03
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Member of any of the several distinct
but related peoples of N Sumatra in
Indonesia. Numbering approximately 2.5
million, the Batak speak languages belonging
to the Austronesian family. The most numerous
and most centrally located are the Toba Batak
who live to the S and W of Lake Toba.
Although the Batak possess distinctive
traditional beliefs, they were influenced by
Hinduism between the 2nd and 15th centuries
AD. The syllabic script of the Batak, which
was inscribed on bamboo, horn, bone, and tree
bark, is based on Indian scripts. Although
the island of Sumatra has many Muslim
peoples, most Batak did not adopt Islam.
Since 1861 German and other missionaries have
been active in N Sumatra and today over 80%
of the Batak profess Christianity. Many Batak
are rice farmers and produce handicrafts such
as dyed textiles.