Paleontological research done in the Humbang region of the west side of Toba Lake suggests that human activity existed 6,500 years ago.

The central foundation of their culture is the customs or adat called ‘Dalihan Na Tolu’ (‘The Three Legged Stove’).

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.

Toba Batak's adat traditions are often present in Christian ceremonies such as baptism, confirmation, marriage, and burial, while church hymns, psalms, and prayers are often involved and invoked in traditional ethnic Toba Batak ceremonies.

[5] The Toba Batak people are known to possess a robust tradition of ‘Mangaranto‘ or becoming migrants to look for better education, and social and economic opportunities.

For example, the majority of the Silindung natives are the Hutabarat, Panggabean, Simorangkir, Hutagalung, Hutapea and Lumbantobing clans.

Instead all those six clans are actually descendants of Guru Mangaloksa, one of Raja Hasibuan's sons from Toba region.

The surname or family name is obtained from the father's lineage (paternal) which would then be passed on to the offspring continuously.

Nainggolan, Napitupulu, Pardede, Gultom, Panggabean, Silalahi, Siahaan, Simanjuntak, Sihombing, Sitorus, Panjaitan, Sitompul, Marbun, Lumban Tobing, Aritonang, Pangaribuan, Situmorang, Manurung, Marpaung, Hutapea, Tambunan, Silitonga, Tampubolon, Sinaga, Siregar, Pakpahan, Sidabutar, Aruan, Ambarita, and Simatupang are among the common surnames.

[7] The Toba Batak are known throughout Indonesia as capable musicians, and are perceived as confident, outspoken and willing to question authority, expressing differences in order to resolve them through discussion.

This outlook on life is contrasted to Javanese people, Indonesia's largest ethnic group, who are more culturally conciliatory and less willing to air differences publicly.

[8] Batak Toba people also known as professing Christians in contrast with the largely Muslim population in Indonesia.

The first Protestant missionaries who tried to reach the Batak highlands of inner Northern Sumatra were English and American Baptist preachers in the 1820s and 1830s but without any success.

Before the conversion to Christianity, the old belief of the Toba Batak tribe was a mixture of Animism and Hinduism with significant influence of Islam.

The Parmalims worship Debata Mula Jadi Nabolon, which means The Great Almighty God.

Many of the Muslim Toba Batak are originated from port of Barus, Sorkam, parts of Sibolga, and from Asahan areas.