Meaning of Dayok Na Binatur (Chicken Regulated): Simalungun Traditional Food

Abstract

Traditional food as a regional specialties is one of the cultural elements of various regions in Indonesia. These traditional foods are very closely related to customs, and it indicates that these foods are very unique to each region. Indonesia, which consists of several thousand islands and various ethnic groups, inhabit the area from Sabang to Merauke. The Simalungun ethnic group is one of the tribes in Indonesia who inhabit the area in North Sumatra Province, Simalungun Regency. The Simalungun ethnic group has a traditional food called (dayok na binatur) or regulated chicken, which is a type of food that made from the regulated chicken then it baked and it mixed with the various kinds of recipes and one of the specific or special recipes that called sikkam wood. Formerly, dayok na binatur (regulated chicken) is only intended for the king of Simalungun and his family as well as guests of the kingdom and the nobility, and also dayok na binatur, only the men that can cook it while the women only help to mix the ingredients. Along with the development of the dayok na binatur, anyone can consume it and women can also cook it. Aside from being a traditional food, dayok na binatur is also used as customary food, and it handed over when there is joy and sorrow events. Chicken is used as traditional food and customary food because the chicken symbolizes regulaty. Keywords: traditional food, dayok na binatur, Simalungun.