Minangkabau Land Between Sunrise and Sunset

1. MinangkabauLand Between Sunrise and Sunset

2. Sumatra and Malaysia • Sumatra • Dealt with this area before • SSW of Thailand, Laos and the Hmong • Sumatra crosses the Equator • Large mountain chain (Barisan) runs the length of the island • Volcanic history makes it excellent for farming • Coffee is a huge modern export • Tropical rainforest makes up much of the ecosystem

3. Sumatra and Malaysia • Malaysia • Just to the north-east of Sumatra • Malaysia separated into two parts: • West Malaysia • This is the one we’re dealing with • East Malaysia • On the northern part of the island of Borneo • Separated by the South China Sea • Separated by a very important shipping lane • Strait of Malacca • Dense tropical rainforest as well • Very mountainous • Annual monsoons • Lots of rain and wind • Many important exports: • Timber, Rubber, Palm Oil, Variety of Spices

4. Origins • Founding • Founded by one of the sons of Alexander the Great (Diraja) • Actual founding is more mysterious • Large Indian presence in the region • The first Minangkabau dynasty was most likely founded by Adityawarman in the mid-1300s • Perhaps a follower of Tantric Buddhism • Interested in gold and other minerals….like everyone else

5. Colonial History • Initial contact was with Marco Polo • Yes that’s right its not just a pool game… • Extremely hard voyage • Portuguese were the early leaders • Of course, followed by both the Dutch and British • Lots of competition between all of these powers….as usual • Eventually dominated by the Dutch

6. Colonial History • Netherlands East India Company • Founded by the Dutch • First Company to issue stocks • First company composed of several different nations • Largest company of its time • Often used violent and underhanded (to put it kindly) tactics to gain new business footholds in the region

7. Rebellion • Naturally, there was a great deal of local hatred towards the colonial powers in the region • Many broken promises to the local populace • The Minangkabau were the leaders of this resistance in Indonesia

8. Rebellion • Sukarno • Prominent early Indonesian leader • Fluent in many different (mostly European) languages • Founded the Indonesian Nationalist Party • Imprisoned by the Japanese and later released • Believed that a war between the Japanese and the European powers would give his country the opportunity to declare independence • Allied with Japan • Great deal of unrest in all quarters of Indonesian society after the region finally gained its independence from its traditional colonial overseers

9. Rebellion • Sukarno • Gave himself much more power than he should have • Staunchly Anti-Colonial • Eventually overthrown • Military coup • Led by Major General Suharto • Indonesia now functions with a relatively democratic system of government • First real president elected in 2004 • President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono

10. Social Organization • Matrilineal society • Each matrilineal lineage is led by a chief • Despite seeming contradictory, this chief is usually a male • Has wide ranging powers and responsibilities that cover every aspect of life • Has three advisors: • Dispute Resolution • Security • Religious (Islamic) Law

11. Social Organization • Each individual household has a leader as well • However, the power of this leader is not absolute by any means • The idea of consensus (muafakat) is the guiding principle behind many decisions • Particularly true for disputes

12. Social Organization • Matriliny • One of the best and longest lasting examples of this system of descent • Bond between a mother and her children is the cornerstone of Minangkabau social organization • Children belong to the mothers family and not the fathers • As such a man is responsible for children within his own family • Such as his sisters children • This is not to say that there is no relationship • Father are a very big part of a child's life in Minangkabau society

13. Social Organization • Housing • The entire lineage (typically 4 generations) lives in a single large house • Called a Rumah Gadang • Built on stilts with people living above and animals living in the sheltered space below • Very distinctive architecture that is reminiscent of a buffalos horns • Large ceremonial/living room running the length of the structure • All the adult women have their own room as well • Husbands come there at night and return to their mothers and sisters homes in the morning

14. Social Organization • Children also live here and will typically go with their mothers or relatives to work • Each village (Nagari) is quite large and composed of many different homes • However, smaller structures are also built to supplement the larger structures and provide more space both for living in as well as for storage

15. Social Organization • Subsistence • Wet Rice agriculture • Dry fields also used • Terracing prominent when necessary • Staple crop is rice • Ancillary crops are: • Corn, tomatoes, peanuts, and peppers among others • Some animals are kept but meat is also widely purchased at markets as well

16. Traditional Belief • Adat • Set of social norms for Minangkabau society • Governs all aspects of life and tells you how to act in certain circumstances • Also helps frame modern events and values in the context of more traditional Minangkabau ideals • Originally established by the descendents of Diraja

17. Adat • Separated into two distinct forms • Upper Class (aristocracy) • Adat Katumangguangan • Very hierarchical • Lower Class (commoners) • Adat Perpetiah nan Sabatang • More egalitarian and democratic

18. Adat • However, many villages choose to practice a mix of these two systems of adat • In general Adat is composed of four different categories that are related to different levels of social status: • Adat nan sabana adat • Adat nan teradat • Adat nan diadatkan • Adat istiadat

19. Adat • Adat nan sabana adat • Refers to the importance of natural laws • Sets forth the constants of the universe • i.e. sharp things hurt you • Fire will burn things • Interesting because it recognizes that the natural (physical) world contains the social (cultural) world • Have to understand the context • Cannot be changed by people

20. Adat • Adat nan teradat • Contains the core beliefs of Minangkabau social organization • All the social norms one must follow • This is where the idea of a matrilineal society for the Minangkabau originated • By following these traditions you ensure that the traditional form of Minangkabau life will continue as it has since the beginning of the world

21. Adat • Adat nan diadatkan • More flexible and can change over time • Can be referred to as ‘Local Law’ • Related to specific traditions among the Minangkabau • Recognizes that more modern situation require more flexible (non-traditional) interpretations • Based entirely upon consensus and deliberation within the local village council

22. Adat • Adat istiadat • This adat consists of social practices and traditional ceremonial rituals • Only used in case an individual wants to follow them • Not mandatory at all

23. Traditional Belief • Merantau • Related to ‘voluntary outmigration’ • Leaving on your own accord to some other location • Very important part of Minangkabau society • Originates in the need to leave and establish new communities to prevent over-population • Also has origins in the need for local traders to leave their homeland in order to find new markets for their wares

24. Merantau • One of the most important migrations took place when a large number of Minangkabau sailed to the shores of Western Malaysia • Time: ~1600 CE • Established new villages there • Today this location is staunchly traditional • Observes both the Adat and Islamic Law

25. Merantau • The presence of colonial powers in the region disrupted the traditional form of Merantau • Could not move about freely in many cases and different economic systems were being forced upon the society • Merantau was particularly appealing to Minangkabau men

26. Merantau • Why is it appealing to men? • Only a visitor in his wife's house • Just a manager of possessions in his own families house • Does not really fit into either location • Many decided to leave in order to leave these stresses behind • Many go abroad to work or study • Either at religious institutions or at Universities • This tradition of migration is excellent for spreading Islam, particularly because many men choose to go study the religion and then become missionaries • Or any other number of occupations

27. Merantau • The idea of what Merantau is has changed and evolved over time • Traditionally Merantau was only temporary • In many situations it has started to become more permanent • However, many do try to maintain a good relationship with their home villages from wherever they end up.

28. Islamic Influences • As with other religions, trade played a large role in the spread of Islam throughout Indonesia • Contact was regularly occurring around 600 CE • Regular contact persisted for several hundred years between Muslim merchants and the local populace • Not until the 1300s-1400s that Islam became the most prevalent religion in the region • Possible economic and political motives for adopting Islam • Muslim traders were more willing to trade with other Muslims • Monetary, diplomatic, and military assistance in resisting the advances of European colonial powers

29. Islamic Influences • Interactions between traditional Minangkabau customs and Islamic Law • Complementary systems • Feminine • Associated with the traditional matrilineal customs of Minangkabau culture • Masculine • Associated with the patrilineal system embraced by Islamic Law

30. Islamic Influences • So what does this mean? • Royal power (which is governed by Islam) is inherited through the male line but the land and possessions behind it are owned by the female lineage

31. Islamic Influences • There are specific situations in which either Islamic Law or traditional Minangkabau customs will be applied in order to resolve a dispute • Sometimes property will in fact be inherited through the male lineage • But if the land is ancestral and has a great deal of history attached to it then the land is inherited through the female line

32. Islamic Influences • Similarities between Adat and Islam: • Consensus is important • Loyalty and compassion are treasured values • Social responsibility is respected • Reciprocity in all areas of life is important

33. Islamic Influences • Blending of cultures: • The cooperative rule of three kings: • Raja Alam • Supreme ruler of the world • Raja Ibadat • Religious (Islamic) ruler • Raja Adat • Ruler of all things related to the traditional Adat customs

34. Islamic Influences • This same sort of cooperative system of governance is seen even on the local level in Minangkabau society • Mosques and traditional Adat Council Halls side by side

35. Conflicts Between Islam and Adat • Padri Wars • Took place around 1820 • Islamic Fundamentalists and supporters of the traditional Adat system fought for ~20 years • The fundamentalist movement killed most of the royal family along with many other supporters of Adat • Gained support among lower class individuals • Farmers primarily • Eventually defeated with the help of the Dutch, who had their own motives of course • Were successful in that Islam was much more prominent in Minangkabau society • Resulted in a mixing of Adat and Islam

36. Modern Issues • Tourism is very popular both for the beautiful natural environment and for the cultural attractions • The appeal of a large and prominent matrilineal society draws many people • Most significant change has been in the role men play in Minangkabau society • Some believe Minangkabau families have begun to shift towards a more ‘nuclear’ type of organization • Marriage had traditionally been arranged by the female lineage • Changing to some degree • Highest divorce rate in the region • Many top Indonesian scholars are of Minangkabau descent • Traditional society is still very, very prominent while at the same time interacting with the modern world quite successfully