Pormalim

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Pormalim. A messianic religion among the Batak of Sumatra. It derived from the tradition of Singa Mangaradjas (Skt., ‘Lion King’), legendary priest-kings, the last of whom, Ompu Pulo Batu, was killed in 1907. He allegedly founded the Pormalim (Batak, malim, ‘be independent’) religion, after which it was developed by a guru, Somailung, in resistance to Christian missions and Dutch control. Pormalim was at its height between 1910 and 1920 but still exists, scattered across the Toba highlands.