The Division of Customary State Power in the Dalihan Natolu System
Keywords:
Dalihan Natolu, Customary Law, Legal HarmonizationAbstract
This study analyzes the Dalihan Natolu governance system of the Batak society in North Sumatra as a distinct entity of living law operating concurrently with state positive law. Employing a normative-empirical method through a systematic literature review, the research examines the tripartite power-sharing mechanism between Mora (judicial), Kahanggi (administrative), and Anakboru (executive). The findings reveal that while Dalihan Natolu remains effective for internal social cohesion and dispute resolution through a mechanism of checks and balances, its integration into the national legal framework is hindered by regulatory fragmentation and jurisdictional overlaps. Despite constitutional recognition under Article 18B(2), bureaucratic formalism in land registration often marginalizes communal ownership evidence, creating legal vulnerability. The study highlights the urgency of legal reform focused on harmonization and functional recognition to address the power asymmetry between customary authority and the state. Conclusively, the sustainability of this system depends on internal adaptability and substantive state recognitio
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