Kalak Karo

Karo associations

Wherever Karo people live, they come together – in Indonesian cities and abroad. Here are some Karo associations and communities.

Indonesia

Association

Himpunan Masyarakat Karo Indonesia (HMKI)

📍 Jakarta · cabang di banyak provinsi

National association of the Karo, founded in Jakarta on 28 October 1995 to unite Karo people throughout Indonesia. Its central board is in Jakarta, with regional and local branches in North Sumatra, West Java, the Riau Islands, Banten, Riau and East Kalimantan, among others.

Youth organisation

Pemuda Merga Silima (PMS)

📍 Jakarta · Medan · Batam · Dairi dan lainnya

Karo youth organisation founded on 16 July 1982 in Bandar Baru, Deli Serdang, to unite young Karo in the cities, in the home villages and abroad. Its central board was formed in Jakarta in 1995; today there are regional boards in many cities.

Five-clan association

Persadaan Karo Silima Merga (Persada Karo) Pekanbaru

📍 Pekanbaru, Riau

Umbrella body of the Karo in Pekanbaru, bringing together the associations of the five clans and the Karo youth, with around 3,000 families. Activities include the annual gathering and joint clan arisan at Jambur Rumah Pulungen.

Five-clan association

Merga Silima Kota Batam

📍 Batam, Kepulauan Riau

Umbrella body of the Karo in Batam that brings the clan associations together. Pemuda Merga Silima is also active in the city.

Clan association

Persadaan Tarigan Gersang se-Jabodetabek

📍 Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, Bekasi

Association of the Tarigan Gersang clan families with their anak beru and anak beru menteri in greater Jakarta, declared on 13 July 2003. On 19 April 2026 they held a Gendang Mburo Ate Tedeh in Bekasi.

Five-clan association

Persadan Merga Silima Bengkulu

📍 Bengkulu

Community of the Karo in Bengkulu province. On 15 November 2025 they celebrated Kerja Tahun at Universitas Muhammadiyah Bengkulu.

Five-clan association

Persadaan Merga Silima Aceh Tenggara

📍 Kutacane, Aceh Tenggara

Community of the Karo in Aceh Tenggara Regency, one of the areas with a large Karo population outside North Sumatra. The 2024–2029 board was installed on 10 August 2024 in Simpang Lawe Bekung.

Clan association

Persadaan Karo Mergana Lampung

📍 Bandar Lampung

Association of Karo-karo clan families in Lampung. In October 2023 they held a Gendang Guro-guro Aron in Bandar Lampung with artists from the Karo highlands.

Students & youth

Ikatan Mahasiswa Karo (IMKA) Yogyakarta

📍 Yogyakarta

Association of Karo students in Yogyakarta, with the motto „Mela Mulih Adi La Rulih“. The name IMKA is also used by Karo student groups at many other universities.

Students & youth

Rudang Mayang Semarang

📍 Semarang, Jawa Tengah

Group of young Karo in and around Semarang who celebrate Kerja Tahun and Gendang Guro-guro Aron to keep Karo fellowship and culture alive away from home.

Europe

Association

Jambur Eropa Sada Nioga

📍 Jerman · Eropa

A community for Karo people living in Europe, who have been gathering for about 20 years. Through Jambur Eropa Sada Nioga, Karo from different countries keep in touch, help one another and organise cultural events together, such as Mburo Ate Tedeh.

Germany

Community

Kalak Karo i Jerman

📍 Berganti-ganti · 2026 di Bayern

Karo people in Germany have gathered at least since 2019 for the annual Kerja Tahun or Mburo Ate Tedeh feast, with landek dancing, gendang music and a shared meal. It is organised by a volunteer committee that changes each year.

Japan

Community

Kalak Karo Jepang (KKJ)

📍 Berbagai prefektur

Community of Karo people working, studying or living in Japan, with the motto „Sada Kata Sada Arih“. On 14 August 2026 they held their first Gendang Guro-guro Aron in Japan.

Malaysia

Church community

Perpulungen GBKP Johor Bahru

📍 Johor Bahru

Congregation of the Karo Batak Protestant Church (GBKP) in Johor, Malaysia, which is also a meeting point for the Karo there. Since 2025 it has been part of the GBKP congregation of Batam Centre.