All About Minangkabau
Posted by Muhammad Irfan on Friday, November 09, 2012 with No comments
| Minangkabau | |
|---|---|
| Baso Minangkabau باسو مينڠكاباو |
|
| Spoken natively in |  Indonesia,  Malaysia |
| Region | West Sumatra, Riau, Jambi, Bengkulu, North Sumatra, Aceh (Indonesia), Negeri Sembilan (Malaysia) |
| Native speakers | 8.5 million (2011) |
| Language family | |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-2 | min |
| ISO 639-3 | Either: min – Minangkabau zmi – Negeri Sembilan Malay |
The Minangkabau language (autonym: Baso Minang(kabau); Indonesian: Bahasa Minangkabau) is an Austronesian language, spoken by the Minangkabau of West Sumatra, the western part of Riau, South Aceh Regency, the northern part of Bengkulu and Jambi, also in several cities throughout Indonesia by migrated Minangkabau, who often trade or have a restaurant. The language is also a lingua franca along the western coastal region of the province of North Sumatra, and is even used in parts of Aceh, where the language is called Aneuk Jamee. It is also spoken in some parts of Malaysia, especially Negeri Sembilan.
Due to great grammatical similarities between the Minangkabau language and Malay, there is some controversy regarding the relationship between the two. Some see Minangkabau as a dialect of Malay, while others think of Minangkabau as a proper (Malay) language.
Malaysia
Besides Indonesia, Minangkabau is also spoken in Malaysia, by some descendants of migrants from the Minang-speaking region in Sumatra (Tanah Minang, or Land of the Minang). Significant numbers of the early migrants settled in what is now the Malaysian state of Negeri Sembilan; this Negeri Sembilan Malay is known as Bahaso Nogori / Baso Nogoghi. More recent immigrants are known as Minang.Dialects
The Minangkabau language has several dialects, sometimes differing between nearby villages (e.g. separated by a river). The dialects are Rao Mapat Tunggul, Muaro Sungai Lolo, Payakumbuh, Pangkalan-Lubuk Alai, Agam-Tanah Datar, Pancungsoal, Kotobaru, Sungai Bendung Air, and Karanganyar.[2] In everyday communication between Minangkabau people of different regions, the Agam-Tanah Datar dialect (Baso Padang or Baso Urang Awak "our (people's) language") is often used and has become a kind of standard.Example sentences
| Baso Minangkabau: | Ba'a kaba? |
| Indonesian/Malay: | Apa kabar? or Bagaimana kabar anda? |
| English: | How are you?. |
| Baso Minangkabau: | Lai elok-elok se nyo. Sanak ba'a? |
| Indonesian/Malay: | Saya baik-baik saja. Bagaimana dengan anda? |
| English: | I'm very well. How about you? |
| Baso Minangkabau: | Sia namo sanak? |
| Indonesian/Malay: | Siapa nama anda? |
| English: | What is your name?. |
| Baso Minangkabau: | Namo ambo John |
| Indonesian/Malay: | Nama saya John |
| English: | My name is John. |
| Baso Minangkabau: | Tarimo Kasih |
| Indonesian/Malay: | Terima Kasih |
| English: | Thank you. |
| Baso Minangkabau: | Sadang kayu di rimbo ndak samo tinggi, kok kunun manusia (expression) |
| Indonesian/Malay: | Sedangkan pohon di hutan tidak sama tinggi, apalagi manusia |
| English: | Even the trees in the jungle are not all of the same height, let alone the people. |
| Baso Minangkabau: | Co a koncek baranang co itu inyo (expression) |
| Indonesian/Malay: | Bagaimana katak berenang seperti itulah dia. |
| English: | The way a frog swims, the way he does. (doing something without having a goal) |
| Baso Minangkabau: | Indak buliah mambuang sarok disiko! |
| Indonesian/Malay: | Tidak boleh membuang sampah di sini! |
| English: | Do not dump rubbish here! |
| Baso Minangkabau: | Ijan di pacik! Beko tangan ang kanai api. |
| Indonesian/Malay: | Jangan disentuh! Nanti tangan kamu terbakar. |
| English: | Do not touch it! Your hand will be burnt later. |
| Baso Minangkabau: | ciek | ||||||||
| Indonesian/Malay: | satu | ||||||||
| English: | one. | ||||||||
| Baso Minangkabau: | duo | ||||||||
| Indonesian/Malay: | dua | ||||||||
| English: | two. | ||||||||
| Baso Minangkabau: | tigo | ||||||||
| Indonesian/Malay: | tiga | ||||||||
| English: | three. | ||||||||
| Baso Minangkabau: | ampek | ||||||||
| Indonesian/Malay: | empat | ||||||||
| English: | four. | ||||||||
| Baso Minangkabau: | limo | ||||||||
| Indonesian/Malay: | lima | ||||||||
| English: | five. | ||||||||
| Baso Minangkabau: | anam | ||||||||
| Indonesian/Malay: | enam | ||||||||
| English: | six. | ||||||||
| Baso Minangkabau: | tujuah | ||||||||
| Indonesian/Malay: | tujuh | ||||||||
| English: | seven. | ||||||||
| Baso Minangkabau: | salapan | ||||||||
| Indonesian/Malay: | delapan | ||||||||
| English: | eight. | ||||||||
| Baso Minangkabau: | sambilan | ||||||||
| Indonesian/Malay: | sembilan | ||||||||
| English: | nine. | ||||||||
| Baso Minangkabau: | sapuluah | ||||||||
| Indonesian/Malay: | sepuluh | ||||||||
| English: | ten. | ||||||||
| Baso Minangkabau: | sabaleh | ||||||||
| Indonesian/Malay: | sebelas | ||||||||
| English: | eleven. | ||||||||
| Baso Minangkabau: | duo baleh | ||||||||
| Indonesian/Malay: | dua belas | ||||||||
| English: | twelve. | ||||||||
| Baso Minangkabau: | salapan baleh | ||||||||
| Indonesian/Malay: | delapan belas | ||||||||
| English: | eighteen. | ||||||||
| Baso Minangkabau: | duo puluah | ||||||||
| Indonesian/Malay: | dua puluh | ||||||||
| English: | twenty. | ||||||||
| Baso Minangkabau: | saratuih | ||||||||
| Indonesian/Malay: | seratus | ||||||||
| English: | one hundred. | ||||||||
| Baso Minangkabau: | duo ratuih | ||||||||
| Indonesian/Malay: | dua ratus | ||||||||
| English: | two hundreds. | ||||||||
| Baso Minangkabau: | saribu | ||||||||
| Indonesian/Malay: | seribu | ||||||||
| English: | one thousand. | ||||||||
| Baso Minangkabau: | limo ribu | ||||||||
| Indonesian/Malay: | lima ribu | ||||||||
| English: | five thousands. |
 Notable Minangkabau people; from top to bottom: Top row: Adityawarman, Rohana Kudus, Imam Bonjol, Rasuna Said, Haji Agus Salim. Bottom row: Sutan Syahrir, Abdul Muis, Mohammad Hatta, Tan Malaka, Chairil Anwar. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total population | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| circa 6 million | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Regions with significant populations | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Languages | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Minangkabau, Indonesian and Malay. |
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| Religion | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Sunni Islam |
The Minangkabau are strongly Islamic, but also follow their ethnic traditions, or adat. The Minangkabau adat was derived from animist beliefs before the arrival of Islam, and remnants of animist beliefs still exist even among some practicing Muslims. The present relationship between Islam and adat is described in the saying "tradition [adat] founded upon Islamic law, Islamic law founded upon the Qur'an" (adat basandi syara', syara' basandi Kitabullah).
Their West Sumatran homelands were the location of the Padri War from 1821 to 1837.
Etymology
Main article: Minangkabau (legend)
The name Minangkabau is thought to be a conjunction of two words, minang ("victorious") and kabau
("buffalo"). There is a legend that the name is derived from a
territorial dispute between the Minangkabau and a neighbouring prince.
To avoid a battle, the local people proposed a fight to the death
between two water buffalo to settle the dispute. The prince agreed and
produced the largest, meanest, most aggressive buffalo. The Minangkabau
produced a hungry baby buffalo with its small horns ground to be as
sharp as knives. Seeing the adult buffalo across the field, the baby ran
forward, hoping for milk. The big buffalo saw no threat in the baby
buffalo and paid no attention to it, looking around for a worthy
opponent. But when the baby thrust his head under the big bull's belly,
looking for an udder, the sharpened horns punctured and killed the bull,
and the Minangkabau won the contest and the dispute.The roofline of traditional houses in West Sumatra, called Rumah Gadang (Minangkabau, "big house"), curve upward from the middle and end in points, in imitation of the water buffalo's upward-curving horns.
The first mention of the name Minangkabau as Minangkabwa, is in the 1365 Majapahit court poem, the Desawarnana (or Nagarakrtagama) composed by Mpu Prapanca.
History
Adityawarman, a follower of Tantric Buddhism with ties to the Singhasari and Majapahit kingdoms of Java, is believed to have founded a kingdom in the Minangkabau highlands at Pagaruyung and ruled between 1347 and 1375, most likely to control the local gold trade. The establishment of a royal system seems to have involved conflict and violence, eventually leading to a division of villages into one of two systems of tradition, Bodi Caniago and Koto Piliang, the later having overt allegiances to royalty.By the 16th century, the time of the next report after the reign of Adityawarman, royal power had been split into three recognized reigning kings. They were the King of the World (Raja Alam), the King of Adat (Raja Adat), and the King of Religion (Raja Ibadat), and collectively they were known as the Kings of the Three Seats (Rajo Tigo Selo). The Minangkabau kings were charismatic or magical figures who received a percentage of gold mining and trading profits, but did not have much authority over the conduct of village affairs
Late in the 18th century the gold supply which provided the economic base for Minangkabau royalty began to be exhausted. Around the same time other parts of the Minangkabau economy had a period of unparalleled expansion as new opportunities for the export of agricultural commodities arose, particularly with coffee which was in very high demand. A civil war started in 1803 with the Padri fundamentalist Islamic group in conflict with the traditional syncretic groups, elite families and Pagaruyung royals. A large part of the Minangkabau royal family were killed by the Padri in 1815. As a result of a treaty with a number of penghulu and representatives of the murdered Minangkabau royal family, Dutch forces made their first attack on a Padri village in April 1821 The first phase of the war ended in 1825 when the Dutch signed an agreement with the Padri leader Tuanku Imam Bonjol to halt hostilities, allowing them to redeploy their forces to fight the Java War. When fighting resumed in 1832, the reinforced Dutch troops were able to more effectively attack the Padri. The main center of resistance was captured in 1837, Tuanku Imam Bonjol was captured and exiled soon after, and by the end of the next year the war was effectively over.
In February 1958, dissatisfaction with the centralist and communist-leaning policies of the Sukarno administration triggered a revolt which was centered in the Minangkabau region of Sumatra, with rebels proclaiming the Revolutionary Government of the Republic of Indonesia (PRRI) in Bukittinggi. The Indonesian military invaded West Sumatra in April 1958 and had recaptured major towns within the next month. A period of guerrilla warfare ensued, but most rebels had surrendered by August 1961. In the years following, West Sumatra was like an occupied territory with Javanese officials occupying most senior civilian, military and police positions The policies of centralization continued under the Suharto regime. The national government legislated to apply the Javanese desa village system throughout Indonesia, and in 1983 the traditional Minangkabau nagari village units were split into smaller jorong units, thereby destroying the traditional village social and cultural institutions. In the years following the downfall of the Suharto regime decentralization policies were implemented, giving more autonomy to provinces, thereby allowing West Sumatra to reinstitute the nagari system.
Historiography
A division in Minangkabau adat into two systems is said to be the result of conflict between two half-brothers Datuk Ketemanggungan and Datuk Perpatih nan Sabatang, who were the leaders who formulated the foundations of Minangkabau adat. The former accepted Adityawarman, a prince from Majapahit, as a king while the latter considered him a minister, and a civil war ensued. The Bodi Caniago system formulated by Datuk Perpatih nan Sabatang is based upon egalitarian principles with all panghulu (clan chiefs) being equal while the Koto Piliang system is more autocratic with there being a hierarchy of panghulu. Each village (nagari) in the darek was an autonomous "republic", and governed independently of the Minangkabau kings using one of the two adat systems. After the darek was settled, new outside settlements were created and ruled using the Koto Piliang system by rajas who were representatives of the king.
Culture
Landholding is one of the crucial functions of the suku (female lineage unit). Because Minangkabau men, like Acehnese men, often migrate to seek experience, wealth, and commercial success, the women's kin group is responsible for maintaining the continuity of the family and the distribution and cultivation of the land.These family groups, however, are typically led by a penghulu (headman), elected by groups of lineage leaders.With the agrarian base of the Minangkabau economy in decline, the suku—as a landholding unit—has also been declining somewhat in importance, especially in urban areas.Indeed, the position of penghulu is not always filled after the death of the incumbent, particularly if lineage members are not willing to bear the expense of the ceremony required to install a new penghulu.
The Minangs are the world's largest matrilineal society; properties such as land and houses are inherited through female lineage. Some scholars argue that this might have caused the diaspora (Minangkabau, "merantau") of Minangkabau males throughout the Maritime Southeast Asia to become scholars or to seek fortune as merchants. As early as the age of 7, boys traditionally leave their homes and live in a surau (a prayer house and community centre) to learn religious and cultural (adat) teachings. When they are teenagers, they are encouraged to leave their hometown to learn from schools or from experiences out of their hometown so that when they are adults they can return home wise and 'useful' for the society and can contribute their thinking and experience to run the family or nagari (hometown) when they sit as the member of 'council of uncles'. This tradition has created Minang communities in many Indonesian cities and towns, which nevertheless are still tied closely to their homeland; a state in Malaysia named Negeri Sembilan is heavily influenced by Minang culture because Negeri Sembilan was originally Minangkabau's territory.[citation needed]
The traditions of sharia—in which inheritance laws favor males— and indigenous female-oriented adat are often depicted as conflicting forces in Minangkabau society. The male-oriented sharia appears to offer young men something of a balance against the dominance of law in local villages, which forces a young man to wait passively for a marriage proposal from some young woman's family. By acquiring property and education through merantau experience, a young man can attempt to influence his own destiny in positive ways.
Increasingly, married couples go off on merantau; in such situations, the woman's role tends to change.When married couples reside in urban areas or outside the Minangkabau region, women lose some of their social and economic rights in property. One apparent consequence is an increased likelihood of divorce.
Minangkabau were prominent among the intellectual figures in the Indonesian independence movement.Not only were they strongly Islamic, they spoke a language closely related to Bahasa Indonesia, which was considerably freer of hierarchical connotations than Javanese. Partly because of their tradition of merantau, Minangkabau developed a cosmopolitan bourgeoisie that readily adopted and promoted the ideas of an emerging nation-state.
Due to their culture that stresses the importance of learning, Minang people are over-represented in the educated professions in Indonesia, with many ministers from Minang. The first female minister was a Minang scholar.
In addition to being renowned as merchants, the Minangs have produced some of Indonesia's most influential poets, writers, statesmen, scholars, and religious scholars. Being fervent Muslims, many of them embraced the idea of incorporating Islamic ideals into modern society. Furthermore, the presence of these intellectuals combined with the people's basically proud character, made the Minangkabau homeland (the province of West Sumatra) one of the powerhouses in the Indonesian struggle for independence.[citation needed]
Ceremonies and festivals
- Turun mandi - baby blessing ceremony
- Sunat rasul - circumcision ceremony
- Baralek - wedding ceremony
- Batagak pangulu - clan leader inauguration ceremony. Other clan leaders, all relatives in the same clan and all villagers in the region are invited. The ceremony lasts for seven days or more.
- Turun ka sawah - community work ceremony
- Manyabik - harvesting ceremony
- Hari Rayo - Islamic festivals
- Adoption ceremony
- Adat ceremony
- Funeral ceremony
- Wild boar hunt ceremony
- Maanta pabukoan - sending food to mother-in-law for Ramadhan
- Tabuik - Muslim celebration in the coastal village of Pariaman
- Tanah Ta Sirah, inaugurate a new clan leader (Datuk) when the old one died in the few hours (no need to proceed batagak pangulu, but the clan must invite all clan leader in the region).
- Mambangkik Batang Tarandam, inaugurate a new leader (Datuk) when the old one died in the pass 10 or 50 years and even more, must do the Batagak Pangulu.
Performing arts
Randai is a folk theater tradition which incorporates music, singing, dance, drama and the silat martial art. Randai is usually performed for traditional ceremonies and festivals, and complex stories may span a number of nightsIt is performed as a theatre-in-the-round to achieve an equality and unity between audience members and the performers Randai performances are a synthesis of alternating martial arts dances, songs, and acted scenes. Stories are delivered by the acting and singing and are mostly based upon Minangkabau legends and folktales. Randai originated early in the 20th century out of fusion of local martial arts, storytelling and other performance traditions.Men originally played male and female characters in the story but, since the 1960s, women have participated.
Crafts
Cuisine
The staple ingredients of the Minangkabau diet are rice, fish, coconut, green leafy vegetables and chili. Meat is mainly limited to special occasions, and beef and chicken are most commonly used. Pork is not halal and not consumed, while lamb, goat and game are rarely consumed for reasons of taste and availability. Spiciness is a characteristic of Minangkabau food: The most commonly used herbs and spices are chili, turmeric, ginger and galangal. Vegetables are consumed two or three times a day. Fruits are mainly seasonal, although fruits such as banana, papaya and citrus are continually available.
Three meals a day are typical with lunch being the most important, except during the fasting month of Ramadan when lunch is not eaten. Meals commonly consist of steamed rice, a hot fried dish and a coconut milk dish, with a little variation from breakfast to dinner.Meals are generally eaten from a plate using the fingers of the right hand.[citation needed] Snacks are more frequently eaten by people in urban areas than in villages. Western food has had little impact upon Minangkabau consumption and preference.
Rendang is a dish which is considered to be a characteristic of Minangkabau culture; it is cooked 4-5 times a year. Other characteristic dishes include Asam Padeh, Soto Padang, Sate Padang, Dendeng Balado (beef with chili sauce).
Food has a central role in the Minangkabau ceremonies which honor religious and life-cycle rites.
Minangkabau food is popular among Indonesians and restaurants are present throughout Indonesia. Nasi Padang restaurants, named after the capital of West Sumatra, are known for placing a variety of Minangkabau dishes on a customer's tablewith rice and billing only for what is taken. Nasi Kapau is another restaurant variant which specializes in dishes using offal and tamarind to add a sourness to the spicy flavor.
Architecture
The houses have dramatic curved roof structure with multi-tiered, upswept gables. According to Minangkabau tradition, the roof shapes was meant to mimic the horns of buffalo. Shuttered windows are built into walls incised with profuse painted floral carvings. The term rumah gadang usually refers to the larger communal homes, however, smaller single residences share many of its architectural elements.
Oral traditions and literature
Minangkabau culture has a long history of oral traditions. One is the pidato adat (ceremonial orations) which are performed by panghulu (clan chiefs) at formal occasions such as weddings, funerals, adoption ceremonies, and panghulu inaugurations. These ceremonial orations consist of many forms including pantun, aphorisms (papatah-patitih), proverbs (pameo), religious advice (petuah), parables (tamsia), two-line aphorisms (gurindam), and similes (ibarat).
Minangkabau traditional folktales (kaba) consist of narratives that present the social and personal consequences of either ignoring or observing the ethical teachings and the norms embedded in the adat. The storyteller (tukang kaba) recites the story in poetic or lyrical prose while accompanying himself on a rebab.
A theme in Minangkabau folktales is the central role mothers and motherhood has in Minangkabau society, with the folktales Rancak diLabueh and Malin Kundang being two examples. Rancak diLabueh is about a mother who acts as teacher and adviser to her two growing children. Initially her son is vain and headstrong and only after her perseverance does he become a good son who listens to his mother. Malin Kundang is about the dangers of treating your mother badly. A sailor from a poor family voyages to seek his fortune, becoming rich and marrying. After refusing to recognize his elderly mother on his return home, being ashamed of his humble origins, he is cursed and dies when a storm ensues and turn him along with his ship to stone. The said stone is in Air Manis beach and is known by locals as batu Malin Kundang.
Other popular folktales also relate to the important role of the woman in Minangkabau society. In the Cindua Mato epic the woman is the source of wisdom, while in the Sabai nan Aluih she is more a doer than a thinker. Cindua Mato (Staring Eye) is about the traditions of Minangkabau royalty. The story involves a mythical Minangkabau queen, Bundo Kanduang, who embodies the behaviors prescribed by adat. Cindua Mato, a servant of the queen, uses magic to defeat hostile outside forces and save the kingdom. Sabai nan Aluih (The genteel Sabai) is about a girl named Sabai who avenges the murder of her father by a powerful and evil ruler from a neighboring village. After her father's death, her cowardly elder brother refuses to confront the murderer and so Sabai decides to take matters into her own hands. She seeks out the murderer and shoots him in revenge.[14]
Language
Main article: Minangkabau language
The Minangkabau language (Baso Minangkabau) is an Austronesian language belonging to the Malayic linguistic subgroup, which in turn belongs to the Malayo-Polynesian branch. The Minangkabau language is closely related to the Negeri Sembilan Malay language used by the people of Negeri Sembilan, many of which are descendants of Minangkabau immigrants. The language has a number of dialects and sub-dialects, but native Minangkabau speakers generally have no difficulty understanding the variety of dialects. The differences between dialects are mainly at the phonological level, though some lexical differences also exist. Minangkabau dialects are regional, consisting of one or more villages (nagari), and usually correspond to differences in customs and traditions. Each sub-village (jorong) has its own sub-dialect consisting of subtle differences which can be detected by native speakers. The Padang dialect has become the lingua franca for people of different language regions.
The Minangkabau society has a diglossia situation, whereby they use their native language for everyday conversations, while the Indonesian language is used for most formal occasions, in education, and in writing, even to relatives and friends.[23] The Minangkabau language was originally written using the Jawi script, an adapted Arabic alphabet. Romanization of the language dates from the 19th century, and a standardized official orthography of the language was published in 1976.[24]
| Denominations | ISO 639-3 | Population (as of) | Dialects | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minangkabau | min | 6,500,000 (1981) | Agam, Pajokumbuh, Tanah, Si Junjung, Batu Sangkar-Pariangan, Singkarak, Orang Mamak, Ulu, Kerinci-Minangkabau, Aneuk Jamee (Jamee), Penghulu. | ||
| Source: Gordon (2005). | |||||
Adat and religion
Animism has been an important component of Minangkabau culture. Even after the penetration of Islam into Minangkabau society in the 16th century, animistic beliefs were not extinguished. In this belief system, people were said to have two souls, a real soul and a soul which can disappear called the semangat. Semangat represents the vitality of life and it is said to be possessed by all animals and plants. An illness may be explained as the capture of the semangat by an evil spirit, and a shaman (pawang) may be consulted to conjure invisible forces and bring comfort to the family. Sacrificial offerings can be made to placate the spirits, and certain objects such as amulets are used as protection.
Until the rise of the Padri movement late in the 18th century, Islamic practices such as prayers, fasting and attendance at mosques had been weakly observed in the Minangkabau highlands. The Padri were inspired by the Wahhabi movement in Mecca, and sought to eliminate societal problems such as tobacco and opium smoking, gambling and general anarchy by ensuring the tenets of the Koran were strictly observed. All Minangkabau customs allegedly in conflict with the Koran were to be abolished. Although the Padri were eventually defeated by the Dutch, during this period the relationship between adat and religion was reformulated. Previously adat was said to be based upon appropriateness and propriety, but this was changed so adat was more strongly based upon Islamic precepts.
With the Minangkabau highlands being the heartland of their culture, and with Islam likely entering the region from coast it is said that 'custom descended, religion ascended' (adat manurun, syarak mandaki).
Notable Minangkabau
See also: List of Minangkabau people
The Minangkabau are known as the educated society and therefore they
are spread across Indonesia and even foreign countries in a variety of
professions and expertise such as politicians, writers, scholars,
teachers, journalists, and businesspeople. Based on a relatively small population, Minangkabau is one of the most successful. Based on Tempo magazine (2000 New Year special edition), six of the top ten most influential Indonesians of the 20th century were Minang. Three out of the four Indonesian founding fathers are Minangkabau people.Many of Minangkabau people had prominent positions in the Indonesian and Malay nationalism movement. In 1920–1960, the political leader in Indonesian dominated by Minangkabau people, such as Mohammad Hatta a former Indonesian government prime minister and vice president, Agus Salim a former Indonesian government minister, Tan Malaka international communist leader and founder of PARI and Murba, Sutan Sjahrir a former Indonesian government prime minister and founder of Socialist Party of Indonesia, Muhammad Natsir a former Indonesian government prime minister and founder of Masyumi, Assaat a former Indonesian president, and Abdul Halim a former Indonesian government prime minister. While liberal democracy era, Minangkabau politician had dominated of parliament and Indonesian cabinet. They were affiliated to all of the existing factions, Islamist, nationalist, socialist and communist.
Minangkabau writers and journalist made significant contributions to modern Indonesian literature. They are Marah Roesli, Abdul Muis, Sutan Takdir Alisjahbana, Idrus, Hamka, Ali Akbar Navis as authors, Muhammad Yamin, Chairil Anwar, Taufik Ismail as poets, and Djamaluddin Adinegoro, Rosihan Anwar, Ani Idrus as journalist. Most of the prominent Indonesian novels were written by Minangkabau writers and later influenced the development of modern Indonesian language.
There are also significant number of Minangkabau people that were known as celebrity, artist, singer, film director, and producer. They raised to be famous entertainer, such as Usmar Ismail, Arizal, and Asrul Sani as film director, Soekarno M. Noer, Dorce Gamalama, and Nirina Zubir as celebrity.
Nowadays, beside Chinese Indonesian, Minangkabau people have significant contributions in economic activities. Most of Minangkabau businessmen success in hospitality, media, healthcare, and textile trader. Minangkabau businessmen also prominent in traditional restaurant chain that settled in many cities of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. The success figure such as Abdul Latief, Basrizal Koto, and Tunku Tan Sri Abdullah.
Minangs had settled outside West Sumatra since 14th century. The Minangkabaus were moved to the state of Negeri Sembilan in the 14th century and began to control local politics. In 1773 Raja Melewar was appointed the first head of state of Negeri Sembilan. People of Minangkabau descent who made significant contributions outside of Indonesia include Yusof bin Ishak, who was the first President of Singapore, Tuanku Abdul Rahman, was the first Supreme Head of State (Yang di-Pertuan Agong) of the Federation of Malaya, Zubir Said, who composed the national anthem of Singapore Majulah Singapura, World War II hero Lieutenant Adnan Bin Saidi, and Ahmad Khatib, the imam (head) of the Shafi'i school of law at the mosque of Mecca (Masjid al-Haram).
Business people
- Abdul Latief, owner of Latief Corporation
- Basrizal Koto, owner of Basko Group
- Chairul Tanjung, owner of Para Group
- Hasnul Suhaimi, CEO of XL Axiata
- Rinaldi Firmansyah, CEO of Telkom Indonesia
- Tunku Tan Sri Abdullah, owner of Melewar Group & MAA (Insurance Company)
Overseas Minangkabau
The Overseas Minangkabau are people of Minang birth or descent who live outside the province of West Sumatra. Over half of the Minangkabau people can be considered overseas Minangkabaus. They make up the majority of the population of Negeri Sembilan (in Malaysia) and Pekanbaru (in Indonesia). They also form a significant minority in the populations of Jakarta, Bandung, Medan, Surabaya and Palembang in Indonesia as well as in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, the South Philippines and Pattani, Thailand. The matrilineal culture and economic conditions in West Sumatra have made the Minangkabau people one of the most mobile ethnic group in Maritime Southeast Asia.The young people usually have to go outside the region after their teens traders or students. For most of the Minangkabau people, wandering is an ideal way to reach maturity and success. By moving, wealth and scientific knowledge are gained and the prestige and honor individuals in the midst of indigenous environment.
The immigrants usually send part of the wealth home to be invested in family businesses, such as by expanding the ownership of paddy fields, control of land management, or pick up the rice fields of the spout. Money from the diaspora are also used to improve village facilities, such as mosques, roads, or the rice fields.
Waves of Migration
| City | Percentage* | Amount (2010) |
|---|---|---|
| Pekanbaru | 37,96% | 343,121 |
| Jakarta | 3,18% | 305,538 |
| Seremban (Malaysia) | 50,9%[4] | 282,971 |
| Medan | 8,6% | 181,403 |
| Batam | 14,93% | 169,887 |
| Palembang | 7,1% | 103,025 |
| Bandung | 4,25% | 101,729 |
| Bandar Lampung | 8,4% | 74,071 |
| Tanjung Pinang | 14,01% | 26,249 |
| Banda Aceh | 7,8% | 13,606 |
| Singapore | 0,04% | 2,073 |
| * Notes: Percentage to Population in the City | ||
Intellectual migration
After the Padri War, most of the Moslem reformists went to Mecca and Cairo. Among them were Ahmad Khatib, Tahir Jalaluddin, Abdul Karim Amrullah, and Muhammad Jamil Jambek. In Mecca, Ahmad Khatib served as the Imam of the Shafi'i school of law at the mosque known as Masjidil Haram. While Djanan Thaib founded Jamaah al-Chairiyah in 1923 and lead Seruan al-Azhar magazine with Ilyas Yacub and Mahmud Junus at Cairo.In the early 20th century, many young Minangkabaus migrated to Java and Europe as students. In Europe, most of them studied in the Netherlands and Germany. Abdoel Rivai, Mohammad Hatta, Roestam Effendi, Nazir Pamuntjak, and Sutan Sjahrir were overseas Minangkabaus who studied in Europe and later became activists in the movement for Indonesian independence. Another activist was Tan Malaka who lived in eight different countries including the Netherlands and the Philippines. He was a member of the Indonesian Communist Party and was also a candidate for the Netherlands' member of parliament.
Causes
Cultural factors
There are many explanations of this phenomenon. One of the causes is the matrilineal kinship system. With this system, control of treasures held by women while men's rights are quite small. In addition, after puberty the youth are no longer able to sleep at his parents' house, because the house is reserved for women, their husbands, and children.The nomads who returned to their hometown, usually will tell the experience to children in the village. The appeal of nomads lives is very influential among the Minangkabau society childhood. Someone who has never tried to go abroad will always be humiliated by his friends.[10] This is what causes Minang men to go abroad. Now the woman Minangkabau wander because they want to trade, career and continuing education.
According to Rudolf Mrázek, a Czech Michigan-based Indonesianist, two typologies of Minang culture, the dynamism and anti-parochialism give birth spirit of independence, cosmopolitan, egalitarian, and liberal-minded, causes the embedded migration culture of Minangkabau people. The spirit to change the fate of the pursuit of science and wealth, and Minang proverb which says Ka ratau madang di hulu, babuah babungo balun, marantau bujang dahulu, di rumah paguno balun (better go wander, because in kampong not useful) result in Minang youth to migrate since youth.
Economic factors
Another explanation is that population growth not accompanied with the increase of natural resources that can be processed. In the past, result of agriculture and plantations are the main source of living to support family members. More recently, the resources have become insufficient to sustain all members, because they must be shared by several families. These factors have encouraged Minang people to go wander and speculate in foreign countries. In the foreign, usually the first immigrants settled in the house family regarded as landlady. The new nomads job are usually as small traders.Meanwhile, the economic history of the Minangkabau people since long ago has been bolstered by the ability to trade and distribute their crops. Minangkabau inland area has geological reserves of raw materials especially gold, copper, lead, zinc, mercury, and iron. The nickname Suvarnadvipa that appears on legend in India was referred to the possibility of Sumatra as island of gold. In the 9th century, the Arab traders reported that Sumatran people have been using a number of gold in trading system. Continued in the 13th century, king of Sumatra used the crown of gold. Tomé Pires around the 16th century, says that gold was trade in Malacca, Barus, Tiku and Pariaman, originated from Minangkabau inland area. He also mentioned that in the Indragiri area on the east coast of Sumatra is the central port of the Minangkabau kingdom. The manuscripts written by Adityawarman also mentioned that he is the ruler of the earth's gold. It is then encouraged the Dutch to build a port in Padang. And arrived at 17th-century, Dutch still call a gold ruler to the king of Pagaruyung and then asks Tomas Diaz to investigate the matter, which he tried to enter the interior of the Minangkabau from east coast of Sumatra, and Diaz' noted he had found one of the Minangkabau king at that time (Rajo Buo) and also mentioned main of the people jobs was gold miners.The geological record of the Netherlands noted that on Batanghari found 42 places of mined gold with the depth reaches 60 metres, and in Kerinci they met the miners of gold. Until the 19th century, the legend of gold in Minangkabau hitterland, still pushing Raffles to prove it, and he is listed as the first European to successfully achieved Pagaruyung through the west coast of Sumatra.
Influences
They exercised great influence in the politics of many kingdom and states in Maritime Southeast Asia. Raja Baginda migrated to south Philippines and founded the Sultanate of Sulu in 1390.In 1603, the Overseas Minangkabaus ulamas or religious figure taught Islam in Sulawesi, Borneo, and Nusa Tenggara island. Dato Ri Bandang and Dato Ri Tiro, both of whom were prominent ulamas spread the word of Islam to the Gowa and Luwu kingdom in South Sulawesi.The Overseas Minangkabau were also involved in political rivalry with the Bugis after the death of Sultan Mahmud Shah II in Sultanate of Johor. In 1723, Sultan Abdul Jalil Rahmad Syah I or known as Raja Kecik, founded Sultanate of Siak in Riau. In 1773, Raja Melewar was appointed the Yang di-Pertuan Besar in the state of Negeri Sembilan. The mid-twentieth century, many overseas Minangkabau like Ahmad Boestaman, Abdullah CD, Rashid Maidin, Shamsiah Fakeh, and Khatijah Sidek were involved in the Malaysian independence movement. After Malaysia and Singapore independence, many politician and minister were Overseas Minangkabau, such as Muhammad Eunos Abdullah, Rais Yatim, and Abdul Samad Idris. While Yusof bin Ishak was the first president of Singapore and Tuanku Abdul Rahman was the first Supreme Head of State (Yang di-Pertuan Agong) of the Federation of Malaya.
They are also great influence developing Malaysian culture, mainly culinary, music, and martial art. Rendang and lemang, the traditional cuisine of Minangkabau, also popular in Malaysia as well as Singapore. Andalas University historian, Prof. Gusti Asnan suggests that rendang began to spread across the region when Minangkabau merchants and migrant workers began to trade and migrate to Malacca in 16th century. Caklempong, the musical tradition instrument, was brought to Malaysia by the Minangkabau people as early as the 14th century.
Occupations
Many Minangkabau have established themselves as merchants, government employees and white collar workers in the places that they have settled. A number of them work as merchant, teachers, ulamas, and also in the field of medicine. Many Overseas Minangkabaus are affiliated to the Muhammadiyah Islamic organisation. In the big cities, they are greatly involved with the mosque activities as well as the modern Moslem organisation. They are also present in the field of academics and many Overseas Minangkabaus hold posts as headmasters in high schools.Organizations
Today, most of kanagarian (literally 'little state") in Minangkabau have an overseas link. They have branches and are found in all the big cities in the Malay Archipelago as well in Thailand, the United States and Europe. Their objectives are the promotion of the social, physical, intellectual, cultural and general welfare of its members. An example is Gebu Minang, which is one of the largest overseas Minangkabau organization.Merantau and art workers
The phenomenon of wandering in Minangkabau society often becomes a source of inspiration for artists, primarily literary. Hamka, in his novel Merantau to Deli, telling stories about life experiences Minang nomads who went to Deli and married Javanese woman. Another novel Tenggelamnya Kapal van der Wijck tells the story of children who return to home. In the village, he faced obstacles by indigenous peoples who is his father's family. A novel by Marah Rusli, Sitti Nurbaya and Salah Asuhan Abdul Muis tells the story of the Minang nomads. In these novels, the intersection of Minang tradition and western culture are narrated. Negeri 5 Menara by Ahmad Fuadi, tells of immigrants who study in boarding schools in Java and eventually become successful. In a different form, through his work titled Kemarau, A.A. Navis invite the overseas community to build their Minang hometown.Merantau is a martial arts film from 2009 which tells the story of a young Minangkabau man who leaves his hometown to teach silat and the trials and tribulations of his journey.
History
In 7th century, Minangkabau merchants sold the gold in Jambi and involved to formation Malayu Kingdom. They became influential traders who operate on the west coast and east coast of Sumatra. gold at first became the main trade of Minang society. Beside gold, Minangs also brought spice from the Sumatran hinterland to be sold in the Straits of Malacca.After the gold reserves decline, commodity became the main business of Minang people. Trade of pepper, acacia, and gambier, thrive in the 15th century until the 18th century. Followed by coffee trade in the 18th century to 19th. They brought merchandise from the interior of Minangkabau to the Straits of Malacca or the Indian Ocean for sell to foreign merchants. To the east coast, the trade is mostly done through big rivers such as Kampar, Siak, Indragiri, and Batang Hari. From these trading activities, many Minang traders who migrated and set up colonies along the west and east coast of Sumatra, even down to the Malaysian peninsula. On the west coast they established trading posts in Meulaboh, Barus, Sorkam, Natal, Tiku, Pariaman, Padang, to Bengkulu. On the east coast, their trading colonies stretching from Batubara, Pelalawan, up to Jambi.
Many Minangkabau people worked as intermediary traders for the Srivijaya empire, the Sultanate of Aceh and the Sultanate of Malacca.[citation needed] Minangs merchants built trading posts along the west coast of Sumatra from Meulaboh to Bengkulu.
During the latter part of 18th century and the early of 19th century, Minangkabau merchants developed a flourishing trade in gambier, coffee, and textiles. This led to conflicts with both local rulers and the Dutch. Then the Minang traders, seeking free markets on the east coast of Sumatra, were attempting to break the monopolies of the Dutch and the local political authority. Minang merchants declined after the Dutch defeated Minangkabau people in the Padri War. Until Indonesian independence in the late 1940s, West Sumatra and its trading system was under Dutch East Indies control.
In the 1950's, the new Minang businessman raised as indigenous traders among the Chinese. The most prominent were Rahman Tamin, Agus Musin Dasaad, Anwar Sutan Saidi, Sidi Tando, Hasyim Ning, Djohan & Djohor, and Sutan Sjahsam. Tamin and Dasaad whose business interests were based upon trade in small-holders rubber, tea, coffee, and pepper. Two of brothers, Djohan & Djohor, combined with Dasaad on the import of textiles from Japan and importing raw cotton for the Indonesian textile industry. Sidi Tando, opened a paint factory and was to move into shipping in the early 1960s. Sutan Sjahsam, the brother of PNI figure Sutan Sjahrir, who owned import company, N.V. Soetan Sjahsam Corporation, and the founder of Indonesian Capital Market. Hasyim Ning, the Mohammad Hatta's step-brother, developed assembling automotive industry. In 1952, Ning was appointed President Director of The Indonesian Service Company, which imported and assembled Dodge trucks and Willeys jeeps.
Culture
Trade is one of the prominent culture in Minangkabau society. For those of Minang society, as a trader not just for living and the pursuit of wealth, but also as a form of existence to become an independent. In the Minang culture is egalitarian, everyone will try to become a leader. Being a sub-ordinate other people, so it's ready to take orders, not a right choice. The principle "better to be the leader of a small group rather than a large organization men" is a principle most of the Minang community. Being a trader is one way to satisfy these principles, as well as being independent. By trade, Minang people could fulfill its ambitions, to live a normal life as they wish, to live freely without any party in restraint. So many Minangkabau wanderers prefer sunbathe sweltering on the sidewalk, selling socks, rather than having to work in an office, often in order and in the mad-scold.The rise of commercial culture in Minang society, caused by high legacy that ensures ownership and sustainability of land for every family in Minangkabau. With ownership of the land, the position of Minang society not only as the tenants only, but also a direct dealer who sold the results to the market.
In addition, the culture that infuses culture wander independently, making the profession to trade as a beginners job to make ends meet. Therefore, be street hawkers often be the beginning for many overseas Minang.
Type of business
Restaurant
Restaurant and food are the Minang merchants favorite sector. The Minangkabau restaurant or known as Restoran Padang in many Indonesian cities, as well as Malaysia and Singapore. The merchants always build the own-brand for their restaurant, such as Restoran Sederhana, the biggest Minang restaurant chain which has over 60 outlets whole of Indonesia.In Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, Sari Ratu restaurants chain are the biggest one.Textile
The Minangs textile trader dominated traditional market in many cities of Indonesia. In Jakarta, the merchants domination at Tanah Abang, Senen, Blok M, Jatinegara, and Bendungan Hilir. In Pekanbaru, domination at Pasar Pusat and Pasar Bawah. In Medan, domination at Sukaramai and in Surabaya they have settled in Pasar Turi.Craft
Many of Minangkabau merchants sell gold, silver crafts, and shoes. Most of them came from Pandai Sikek, Tanah Datar and Silungkang, Sawahlunto. Many of Sungai Puar people sell of antique things. They settled mainly in Cikini and Ciputat (both in Jakarta).Printing
Many of Minang merchants were involved with publishing house and printing. The successful merchants in printing business were Joesoef Isak, founder of Hasta Mitra and H.M Arbie. Beside of them, the business roled by Sulit Air people.Hospitality
The Minang merchants also supported Indonesian tourism industry. Their founded hotel and tour travel company. In Jakarta, the Minang merchants develop Grand Menteng hotel chain and Basrizal Koto built Best Western Hotel in Pekanbaru and Padang. Natrabu Tour, founded by Rahimi Sutan, is the big tour travel company who has by Minang merchant.Education
Universities in Jakarta owned by Minangkabau are University of Jayabaya, University of Persada Indonesia YAI, and University of Borobudur.[citation needed]Media
Many of Minang journalist founded media company (newspaper, magazine and television network). They are Sutan Maharaja, founded Oetoesan Melajoe on 1915, Hamka founded Panji Masyarakat magazine, Rosihan Anwar founded Pedoman newspaper, Ani Idrus founded Waspada newspaper, Lukman Umar founded Kartini magazine, Sutan Takdir Alisjahbana's son and daughter founded Femina magazine, and Abdul Latief founded TV One.Financial
In Indonesia, the Minangkabau merchants were involved in developing the national banking industry. In 1930, Anwar Sutan Saidi founded Bank Nasional. Beside as pioneer in banking sector, the other Minang merchants, Sutan Sjahsam as pioneer of capital market industry. Sjahsam, the Sutan Sjahrir's brother, founded the broker company, Perdanas.Notable Minangkabau business people
- Djohor Soetan Perpatih. Co-founded N.V Djohor Djohan with his brother Djohan Soetan Soelaiman. Djohor Djohan famous as discount shop what always gave discount to the customers.
- Hasyim Ning. The Minangkabau merchants in Sukarno's regime. He founded Indonesia Service Company, the automotive service. Hasyim hold Europe-American automotive brand license and was called Indonesian Henry Ford. Beside that, Hasyim also successed in hospitality business, such as hotel and tour travel.
- Abdul Latief. The owner and founder ALatief Corporation. It subsidiaries are Pasaraya, the retail trade chain and TV One, the television network. Latief was politician in the New Order era as the Labour minister.
- Basrizal Koto. One of a Minangkabau conglomerate successful. Basrizal, usually call as Basko has hotel, mining company, shopping centre, TV-cable, and the largest cattle company in South East Asia. Basko's business based on Sumatra, mainly in Pekanbaru and Padang.
- Rahimi Sutan. The business man who came from Payakumbuh. He has been business since young. He developed tour travel company and the restaurants under Natrabu Grup. Nowadays Natrabu Tour and Travel has branches in the whole of Indonesia, Japan, Great Britain, and the United States.
- Fahmi Idris. As the business man who founded PT Kodel and politician of Golkar party. His business are trading and investment.
- Tunku Tan Sri Abdullah. The Minang-Malaysian businessman. He operates manufacturing company and iron steel company under the corporate flag Melewar Corporation.
Source;
@wikipedia.org/
Categories: MINANGKABAU
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