Upon completion of the ngampeken tulan-tulan ritual in Bintang Meriah village in Karo regency, North Sumatra, Adri Istambul Lingga Gayo took a deep, relieved breath. The skull of his ancestor, Raja Senina Lingga, could now rest in peace in the geriten, the gazebo-like construction meant to serve as the ancient ruler's final sanctuary. "For the Bataks of Karo subethnicity, building a geriten for their ancestors would win them the highest prestige," A