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Minangkabau Land Between Sunrise and Sunset

Minangkabau Land Between Sunrise and Sunset. 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

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Minangkabau Land Between Sunrise and Sunset

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  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

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