Padang Sidempuan, which later became South Tapanuli Regency, Mandailing Natal Regency, Padang Lawas Regency, North Padang Lawas Regency and Padang Sidempuan. Afdeling Nias, which later became Nias Regency and South Nias Regency. Afdeling Sibolga and Ommnenlanden, today it is Central Tapanuli Regency and Sibolga. Afdeling Bataklanden, which later became North Tapanuli Regency, Humbang Hasundutan Regency, Toba Samosir Regency, Samosir Regency, Dairi Regency and Pakpak Bharat Regency. Japanese occupation During the Japanese occupation of the Dutch East Indies, the administration of the Tapanuli Residency had little changes. Post independence of Indonesia After the independence, the government of Indonesia retain Tapanuli as Residency. Dr. Ferdinand Lumban Tobing became the first Tapanuli Resident. Although there were changes made to the name, but the division of the region was still the same. For example, the name of Afdeling Bataklanden was changed to Luhak Tanah Batak and the first luhak (federated region) appointed was Cornelius Sihombing; who was once also a (chief) . The title (in Dutch language means, subdivision) is also changed to , and that supervises onderafdeling are promoted as (head) . Onderdistrik (subdistrict) then became , and is supervised by ; which was previously known as assistant . Just as it was in the past, the government of the Tapanuli Residency were divided into four districts, namely: Silindung Regency Samosir Regency Humbang Regency Toba Regency Transfer of sovereignty in early 1950 During the transfer of sovereignty in the early 1950s, the Tapanuli Residency that was unified into North Sumatra province were divided into four new regencies, namely:- North Tapanuli Regency (previously known as Tanah Batak Regency) Central Tapanuli Regency (previously known as Sibolga Regency) South Tapanuli Regency (previously known as Padang Sidempuan Regency) Nias Regency Present In December 2008, the Tapanuli Residency was unified under North Sumatra province. At the moment, Toba is under the Toba Samosir Regency's region with Balige as its capital. Culture The Toba Batak people practices a distinct culture. The central foundation of their culture is the customs or adat called ‘Dalihan Na Tolu’ (meaning ‘The Three Legged Stove’). The Toba Batak is generally regarded as a patriarchal society. While the role of men is central in the Toba Batak society, the role of women is very crucial with the existence of the Toba Batak concept of ‘Hula hula‘ where women and their families hold a higher ground in familial relations. With the conversion to Christianity of the