Community Participation in the Land Dispute Resolution Process Through Deliberation Within the Batak Toba Indigenous Community in Paniaran Village, North Tapanuli Regency

Iwain Oktaviona Nababan (Pendidikan Pancasila dan Kewarganegaraan, Fakultas Ilmu Sosial, Universitas Negeri Medan)
Parlaungan Gabriel Siahaan
Ramsul Nababan
Dewi Pika Lumban Batu
Majda El Muhtaj

Jurnal Kewarganegaraan
Vol 10 No 1 (2026): Juni 2026

Land inheritance disputes in Paniaran Village are generally caused by unclear land boundaries that have been passed down through generations via oral tradition without written documentation. The community resolves these disputes through Batak Toba customary deliberation (adat deliberation), as it is considered consistent with kinship values ​​and local culture. However, community participation in the deliberation has not been fully inclusive, which has the potential to create uncertainty and recurring conflict. This study aims to analyze the forms and levels of community participation in the resolution of land disputes. The method used is qualitative research with a descriptive method and a case study approach, employing observation, interviews, and documentation. The results show that the forms of community participation in the land dispute resolution process are manifested through attendance at customary deliberations, the provision of information and testimony regarding the history and boundaries of the land, the expression of opinions and arguments, and involvement in deliberation prior to the customary decision being made. Although the community is given the opportunity to be involved, the level of participation that occurs remains consultative, as the final decision is still dominated by customer leaders and parties considered to have greater knowledge of the land's history. Factors that encourage community participation include the high level of trust in customary institutions and the strong sense of kinship within the Batak Toba community. Meanwhile, factors that hinder community participation include the culture of deference toward customer leaders, a patriarchal system that limits women's involvement, low acceptance of the opinions of the younger generation, a lack of confidence among community members in voicing their opinions, and minimal documentation of the outcomes of customary deliberations. This study shows that customary deliberation remains an effective mechanism for maintaining social harmony; However, efforts are needed to increase more inclusive participation so that the land dispute resolution process can proceed in a fairer, more transparent, and more sustainable manner.