Rumors of Cannibalism as a Support for Cultural Tourism with Baudrillard’s Hyperreality Analysis at Huta Siallagan

This research focuses on tracing the behavior and strategies of local people in Huta Siallagan in constructing the existence of cannibalism stories. A rumor that was intentionally attached to the Trial Stone cultural heritage in support of tourism in Huta Siallagan. Data tracking in this study used a qualitative research type with an ethnographic approach. Data collection techniques were carried out through participatory observation and in-depth interviews. The data were then analyzed using ethnographic, domain, and taxonomic interview analysis. The existence of cannibalism stories is still debated because no data supports the truth that the Batak people were cannibals in the past. Rumors of cannibals create negative narratives about the Batak ethnicity, but local people continue to construct these rumors to support the strengthening of cultural tourism. Theoretically, this leads to a form of simulacra, creating a hyperreality of cannibalism in this cultural heritage site. Several forms of strategy were carried out, namely (1) the generalization of cannibalism stories carried out by the manager of the Batutrial cultural heritage, (2) Strengthening the story through reenactment practices or performances carried out by local guides, (3) The existence of animism geopark which is associated with cultural heritage because both this location is nearby.