Merdang Merdem or Work Year is a celebration of the Karo tribe in Karo Regency. It is said that merdem merdem is a routine activity every year which is usually carried out after the rice planting event is completed. The celebration is part of a thanksgiving to the Creator because the rice planting activities have been completed. With prayers are being given that the paddy plants will be blessed, so that they are free from pests and produce an abundant harvest. Moments that involve all villagers are usually also used by youth people as a place to find their mate. Each merdang merdem event is usually enlivened by the guro-guro aron drum, a Karo traditional dance event involving a young couple. Each sub-district in Tanah Karo celebrates merdang merdem in a different month. Sun-district Munte celebrated merdang merdem on the 26th day of the Karo calendar, which usually falls in July.
That said, the village party was so lively that the celebration took up to six days where every day had a different meaning.
