Figures
1 “Batak Dorf” [Batak Village], Archiv- und Museumsstiftung der VEM (Archives and Museum Foundation of the UEM) referred to henceforth as AMS der VEM. Archives number: 203–140 25
2 “Gemeenschapsgebouw (sopo) van de Batak in de Silindoengvallei bij Taroetoeng,” [Building structure (sopo) of the Batak in the Silindung Valley near Tarutung] Structure used to store rice, also a meeting place. Special Collections, Leiden University Libraries, Collection Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies, referred to hence as KITLV, KITLV 101156, part of KITLV A703, ca. 1910 25
3 A view of Lake Toba from Balige in the present day. Photograph by author 26
4 “Raja Pontas,” AMS der VEM. Archives number: 203–209 27
5 “Cornelia Frau Van Obaja” [Cornelia, Wife of Obaja (Raja Pontas)], AMS der VEM. Archives number: 203–509 28
6 “Foto Ephorus Dr. Nommensen” [Photo of Ephorus Dr. Nommensen], AMS der VEM. Archives number: 203–201 28
7 “Tauffest Singamangaraja” [Christening [Si] Singamangaraja], AMS der VEM. Archives number: 203–383 30
8 “Pearaja Kirche und Schulgebäude, Pearadja, Sumatra” [Pearaja Church and School Building, Pearaja, Sumatra], AMS der VEM. Archives number: 203–426 31
9 “[Area below] Pearaja,” AMS der VEM. Archives number: 203–767 31
10 “Heidnische Opferfeste, Sumatra” [Pagan Sacrificial Rites, Sumatra]. Ritual performance in Batak culture banned by the missionaries that actually was part of a funerary rite. AMS der VEM. Archives number: 203–154 33
11 “Het dorp Pea Radja bij Silindoeng in de Bataklanden,” [Pearaja Village in Silindung in the Batak Region] Special Collections, Leiden University Libraries, part of KITLV a38, KITLV 12140, ca. 1890 62
12 “Pastoren und Lehrerfrauen der Gemeinde Pearadja, Sumatra” [Pastors and Teachers’ Wives in the Pearaja Local Community, Sumatra], AMS der VEM. Archives number: 203–436 67
13 “Krankenpflegerinnen Pearaja” [Pearaja Caregivers], AMS der VEM. Archives number: 203–98 67
14 Inscription from H.L. Tobing’s [Hermina Simorangkir] 1928–1930 schoolbook, when she was a student in Salatiga, Tobing Family Collection 69
15 Minar T. Rony and Apoel Loembantobing in their cribs, c.1933. Their beds show the introduction of new kinds of spatialities in domestic arrangements. Tobing Family Collection 73
16 H.L. Tobing and Minar T. Rony, c.1934. Minar T. Rony Collection 74
17 The back of the previous photo, with the inscription in Minar T. Rony’s adult handwriting, “With Mama.” Minar T. Rony Collection 74
18 Minar T. Rony at 35 Cave Street in New Haven, 1959. Minar T. Rony Collection 86
19 Writing on back of previous image. The note in Batak reads, “This is how cold it is during the winter. [Signed] Minar. New Haven, Dec. 1959” 86
20 Minar T. Rony as a toddler, ca. 1933–1934. Tobing Family Collection 92
21 H.L. Tobing and Minar T. Rony, ca. 1935. Tobing Family Collection 92
22 Apoel Loembantobing and Minar T. Rony, ca. 1935. Tobing Family Collection 93
23 H.L. Tobing with Fatimah Tobing Rony and Dorothy Fujita-Rony, ca. 1965. This picture and the next seem to be taken on the same outing. Minar T. Rony Collection 96
24 Minar T. Rony with Fatimah Tobing Rony and Dorothy Fujita-Rony, ca. 1965. Minar T. Rony Collection 96
25 Gerhard L. Tobing in his medical office, ca. 1930. The cabinet is filled with medical supplies and equipment, and a Batak ulos, a woven Batak spiritual cloth, is hung on the wall by his desk. Tobing Family Collection 106
26 In this photograph, Gerhard L. Tobing stands alongside his children on a carousel, c.1935. Tobing Family Collection 107
27 “Vrouw en kinderen van Radja Pontas uit het dorp Pea Radja bij Silindoeng in de Bataklanden,” [Wife and children of Raja Pontas from Pearaja Village in Silindung, Batak region] Special Collections, Leiden University Libraries, part of KITLV A38, KITLV 12145, ca. 1890 112
28 Minar T. Rony at Gerhard L. Tobing’s grave. Photograph by author 115
29 H.L. Tobing’s notes on Gerhard L. Tobing’s life. Tobing Family Collection 121
30 Beer mugs collected by Minar T. Rony that represent memories of her father, Gerhard L. Tobing. Photograph by author 126
31 Betel nut set kept by Minar T. Rony. Photograph by author 127
32 Porcelain and other souvenirs collected by Minar T. Rony that remind her of childhood. Photograph by author 128
33 Crocheting was a skill passed down by the women in my family, and I continue to practice it today. This blanket was made by my grandmother, who taught me how to crochet when I was a little girl. Photograph by author 130
34 “Adatdansen door Toba-Batakkers, vermoedelijk in de Silindoengvallei bij Taroetoeng,” [Ritual dance of the Toba Batak in Silindung Valley, Tarutung] Special Collections, Leiden University Libraries, KITLV 101167, ca. 1910. This photograph located in Special Collections, Leiden University Libraries, appears to be in the same sequence as the next photograph, which is located in the AMS der VEM 132
35 “Heidnisches Fest, Sumatra” [Pagan Festival, Sumatra], AMS der VEM. Archives number: 203–156. Ritual dance 133
36 Minar T. Rony and Bistok P.L. Tobing researching documents and newspapers at Special Collections, Leiden University Libraries. Photograph by author 134
37 Artauli R.M. Panggabean Tobing and Minar T. Rony reading documents at Special Collections, Leiden University Libraries. Photograph by author 134
38 Bistok P.L. Tobing examining Gerhard L. Tobing’s school records at Special Collections, Leiden University Libraries. Photograph by author 135
39 Archivist Julia Besten showing Minar T. Rony the same image of her ancestors from Figure 27 at the Archiv- und Museumsstiftung der VEM in Wuppertal, Germany. Photograph by author 137
40 “Hinterblibenen—Sisingamangaraja” [Bereaved—Sisingamangaraja], AMS der VEM. Archives number: 203–423 138
41 Detail of Photograph 40, “Hinterblibenen—Sisingamangaraja” [Bereaved—Sisingamangaraja], AMS der VEM. Archives number: 203–423 138
42 The author learning weaving in Pearaja in 1985. Dorothy B. Fujita-Rony collection 145
43 “Simorangkir mission stasion” [Simorangkir Mission Station], AMS der VEM. Archives number: 203–583 154
44 Ulos in Minar T. Rony’s personal collection. Ulos are given at ceremonies or on special occasions, and represent both spirituality and connection. Photograph by author 162
45 “[Area below] Pearaja”, AMS der VEM. Archives number: 203–766 165
46 Gerhard L. Tobing, ca. 1930. Tobing Family Collection 170
47 Family photographs in the early years show the family engaged in leisure pursuits. Here, Apoel Loembantobing and Minar T. Rony are visiting Borobudur with their family, ca. 1935. Tobing Family Collection 175
48 H.L. Tobing, Minar T. Rony, and Apoel Loembantobing waving goodbye, ca. 1935. Minar T. Rony Collection 176
49 Demak Tobing Mark and Apoel Loembantobing in New Haven, shortly after Demak’s arrival in the United States, 1960. Tobing Family Collection 192
50 H.L. Tobing at Minar T. Rony’s home, ca. 1964. Mark Family Collection 194
51 Demak Tobing Mark and H.L. Tobing at same visit, ca. 1964. Mark Family Collection 194
52 The ancestral home in Pearaja, with the burial site of our ancestor Raja Pontas and the Huria Kristen Batak Protestan [HKBP, the Batak Christian Protestant Church] in the background. Photograph by author 196
53 Minar T. Rony, ca. 1935. Minar T. Rony Collection 198
54 Gerhard L. Tobing with Minar T. Rony and Apoel Loembantobing, ca. 1935. Minar T. Rony Collection 200
55 Minar T. Rony and Apoel Loembantobing, ca. 1935. Minar T. Rony Collection 201
56 “Schule in Pematang Siantar” [School in Pematang Siantar], AMS der VEM. Archives number: 203–483. School from the complex where Minar T. Rony taught in Siantar, 1952–1955 227
57 Apoel Loembantobing at 35 Cave Street, New Haven, ca. 1960. Minar T. Rony Collection 234
58 A. Kohar Rony, Minar T. Rony, and daughters, 1967. Minar T. Rony Collection 238
59 Fatimah Tobing Rony and Dorothy B. Fujita-Rony at American University, Washington, D.C., 1966. Minar T. Rony Collection 239
60 Minar T. Rony and daughters, ca. 1969. Minar T. Rony Collection 240
61 H.L. Tobing and granddaughters, ca. 1969. Minar T. Rony Collection 240
62 A. Kohar Rony in Annapolis, ca. 1977. Minar T. Rony Collection 242
Maps
1 Transpacific and transatlantic views from Los Angeles: Minar T. Rony’s geographical knowledge 2
2 Indonesia, with the islands of Sumatra, Java, and Kalimantan (formerly Borneo) marked 20
3 Sumatra, featuring the sites of Medan, Pematang Siantar, and Tarutung 22
4 Java, showing Jakarta, Semarang, Salatiga, and Magetan 23
5 Lake Toba region with part of the Sumatra coast, with sites of Pematang Siantar (also known as Siantar), Bakara (also spelled Bakkara), Lintong Nihuta, and Tarutung marked 26
6 Medan and Pematang Siantar Region, featuring the locations of Pancur Batu, Medan, Tanjung Morawa, Tebing Tinggi, Pematang Siantar, and Kisaran 38
7 Kalimantan (formerly Borneo), with site of Amuntai noted 172
8 Island of Bengkalis (where the town of Bengkalis also is located), Bukit Batu (on Sumatra), and Singapore 180
9 The United States, showing Los Angeles, California; Washington, DC; Ithaca, New York; and New Haven, Connecticut 193