sumatra is home to VARIETY of ethnic groups, including batak, Minangkabau, Krui, and Pelalawan-Petalangan. in the Northern central part of Sumatra, live the Batak people. The population is about 3 million and it is one of the largest group of tribes in Sumatra. The Batak places them selves traditionaly to the Marga, a decent group. This group own lands and does not allow marriage within it. The Batak are well known for their richness of construction skills. Some of their longhouses have been their for more than 300 years and most of them are still standing, allowing people to live in there. The houses are built from natural materials such as wood and bamboo, using no nails, spikes or screws. It is simply held together with fiber from Ijuk Palm. Batak people usually eat pork and dog meat. It is cooked in spices, or in its own blood. The common spices are indonesian bay leaves, coriandor, onion, garlic, chili pepper, lemon grass and andaliman.