Sam Nujumo 'crowned' as king of a Batak tribe<\/p>\n
PARAPAT, North Sumatra (JP): Visiting Namibian President Sam
\nNujumo was crowned King of a Batak tribe here yesterday in a
\ntraditional ceremony on the shore of Lake Toba.<\/p>\n
Accompanied by State Minister of Administrative Reform T.B.
\nSilalahi, Nujumo and his wife Theopoldine toured the lake in the
\nmorning before stopping at Tomok, on Samosir island, for the 30-
\nminute crowning ceremony.<\/p>\n
\"I'm proud to be crowned as a Batak tribal King, and I have
\ninvited the Batak chiefs to visit Namibia to see their King,\"
\nNojumo told reporters, bursting into laughter.<\/p>\n
Nujumo and his entourage arrived in Jakarta Thursday for a
\nfive-day state visit. He arrived at this popular holiday resort
\nSaturday after holding bilateral talks with President Soeharto
\nFriday, in which both agreed to boost trade links between the two
\ncountries.<\/p>\n
Commenting on the setting for the ceremony, Nujumo said: \"The
\nlake is very beautiful. If I ever come here again I'll bring my
\nswimming trunks.\"<\/p>\n
The atmosphere around the lake was subdued as many people were
\nstill mourning relatives who drowned in the lake when an
\noverloaded ferry sunk last month.<\/p>\n
Minister Silalahi hoped that Nujumo's visit would help promote
\nthe lake and boost the number of tourists visiting North Sumatra
\nafter a sharp decrease in tourist visits last year.<\/p>\n
\"We need to promote this resort and other tourist destinations
\nhere because Bali has been overpromoted compared to other areas,\"
\nsaid Silalahi, who was born and grew up near Lake Toba.<\/p>\n
\"We must offer more cultural activities and provide better
\nfacilities and services,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Nujumo and his entourage departed for Bali later yesterday
\nwhere they were to stay overnight. They leave for Namibia
\ntonight. (prb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/sam-nujumo-crowned-as-king-of-a-batak-tribe-1447893297",
"image": ""
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