Monday, September 17, 2007
Welcome !
A photo essay of the Minang culture and heritage
Brought to you by Team Minang
Brought to you by Team Minang
Team Minang and Mdm ZainabPosted by ohh89 at 10:15 PM
Pre-trip interview
Posted by ohh89 at 1:06 PM
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Channel News Minang ( full version )
Posted by ohh89 at 8:11 PM
Friday, September 14, 2007
Introduction
Adat Perpatih is a social system and cultural convention adopted by the traditional Minangkabau community who originated from West Sumatra ( Indonesia ) . Studies have shown that some of the Minang migrate from Sumatra to Negri Sembilan ( Malaysia ) ( Main reason : Economic rise and fall in the various areas of the Malay Archipelago) since historic times by crossing the Straits of Malacca. Some of the characteristics of the traditional Minangkabau society are that the are matrilineal based ( Ancestry land and rights are passed from mothers to daughters ) , operated on a collective system that involves the concept of (1) muafakat ( democratic voting system ) , (2) menyeraya , bekerjasama & gotong-royong ( economic and social co-operation ). These 2 main core ethic principles in Adat Perpatih explains the reason why they are living closely as a single community within a physical area (Eg. Kampong Pelegong). Some of the benefits of living within a kampong include : (1) putting everybody in a better position to provide assistance in times of emergency ( Kampong spirit that is strongly encouraged by Singapore government) and (2) create more opportunities for bonding between different families to strengthen the social fabric within the community.
[The Minangs are mostly inhabited in Negeri Sembilan and West Sumatra under different suku ( families). Studies have shown that the young West Sumatra Minangs have migrated to Singapore and Negeri Sembilan since several centuries ago. The primary reason for the Minangs to migrate across international boundaries may be the search for more wealth and a promising future for themselves.]
[Globalisation has affected many countries of the world today. Even Singapore and Negeri Sembilan are not spared. To most of the people, there is a need to keep up with times. To what extent has a shrinking world affected the Minangkabau living in these two places? ]
One of the hypothesis is that the Minang communities in Singapore and Negri Sembilan has been strongly influenced by urbanisation ( an effect of Globalization ) as the people travel around using modern transport. Saving time and higher efficiency may be the primary reason for this. An example would be the existence of North-South Highway and Tiroi Kommuter Station located near Kampong Pelegong. With better transportation, more people are able to get to further places within a shorter time. Another hypothesis is that Malaysia Minangs follow Adat Perpatih more strictly than the Singapore Minangs . The reason may be the difference in the social environment in the two countries. In Singapore, people tend to be more economically concerned and goal oriented due to the high standard of living within a small physical land area. The other, being a larger developing state where agriculture and small scale manufacturing industries are the main contributors to the state revenue, has a lower standard of living. The slow pace of living allows more people to be involved in the preservation of nature and culture as some may recognize the importance of biodiversity and preventing the formation of a cultural desert within the state.
[Some of the traditional economic activities that were practised by the villlagers in Kampong Pelegong include wet-rice cultivation ( using ancestry land) and rubber tapping . In search for more wealth, these activities are replaced by Western pastoralism ( The Goat Farm ) and the management of small scale banana plantations. Observable effects of Urbanisation include the existence of Tiroi Kommuter Station and North South Highway ( Urban Development Scheme initiated by Federal Government ) have provided the villagers in Kampong Pelegong a faster way to leave/enter the kampong. ]
Mr. Irianto ( President of the Minangkabau Association of Singapore )
Mr. Junaidi ( Indonesian Minang working in Singapore )
[An extreme close up view of Mr Irianto and Mr Junaidi respectively.]
Pre-trip research will include sourcing detailed, sufficient and relevant infoation (extracting the essence) from the library books and the notes that were provided during the 1st lecture. Team Minang has generated a lot of questions ( through Brainstorming, SCAMPER and 6 Hats Thinking ) and analyzed the topic provided thoroughly during the 2nd lecture. Some of the difficulties that the team faced include the inability to record the interviewee's voice directly ( The mp3 recorder is not brought along ) . Nevertheless, the team managed to hear what was recorded through the video camera and the handphone .
[Pre-trip research has to be done sufficiently to prepare Team Minang for the trip. Brainstorming on globalistion is indeed a challenge for Team Minang.]
On the 3 sept 2007 , Team Minang left Singapore and headed to a place where not many Singaporeans have heard of ---- Kampong Pelegong. Initially, the team has full of uncertainties about the Minangkabau culture. However, after close interactions with the villagers in Kampong Pelegong through the Homestay Programme initiated by the Malaysia Tourism Board for 6 days 5 nights, the 6-pax team has gathered insightful and valuable information that aids in the understanding of the issue of Globalization to a higher level. Despite having communication difficulties with the Malay villagers, Team Minang have had a wonderful stay in the kampong that is full of serenity and tranquility.
[Kampong Pelegong --- "The Gong Village", where Team Minang have stayed for 6 days 5 nights. The youths in the kampong are involved in cultural performances like the Welcome Ceremony, Caklempong and Plate Dance for the tourists. This place is certainly a very peaceful and relaxing paradise.]
During the trip, Team Minang have interviewed the following speakers:
Mr. Hassan ( Malaysian fruit seller who have stayed in Kampong Pelegong for a long time )
Mdm. Zainab ( Old Minang lady who lives near Kampong Pelegong )
[An almost 7-hour train ride crossing many plantations and nature forests from Singapore to Seremban. In picture, Mr Hassan and Mdm Zainab are Team Minang's honorable interviewees in Negeri Sembilan, Kampong Pelegong.]
The research will include 1st hand observations ( photographs, exhibits in the Museum). On the day of interview ( 5 Sept 2007) , pathetic Team Minang has to "hike" from one house to another house by foot under the scorching sun. Even though some of the team members get sunburn, the morale of the team has always been very high with the courtesy of Jermaine.
The similarities of the evolution of the Minang community in these two countries are that they are friendly, approachable, generally open to ideas and receptive to external changes ( on a regional and global scale) . The reason could be because of the flexibility of Adat Istiadat (which will be discussed in Justin's post) . This flexibility, where nature and surrounding as a guide towards life , is supported by the Adat specialist and Mr. Junaidi ( constant = change ) . Another positive influence in the group is that both groups are moving towards gender egalitarianism ( Equal social status for both men and women where responsibilities are shared ) , which could be an after effect of ideology modernization (Keeping up with times in terms of mindset , lifestyle etc. ) .
The interviewees are selected based on their age and their role with relevance of to our topic on Globalization . They are either Minang or people who have a substantial knowledge of the Minangkabau culture ( which includes Adat Perpatih) . Due to the limited number of people who can be interviewed in the village, 2 best candidates are selected to become the interviewees.
For most of the interviews , a series of effective questions ( After careful selection which includes warm up, direct & indirect questions) are asked by Sha , Justin and Jermaine ( after the camera setup is completed ) . Jingya and Gaya are responsible for taking down the minutes of the interview and Edward is responsible for the camera. The interview duration is around 1 hour. Despite the fierce bombardment of questions, the interviewees' patience is greatly appreciated.
Some other limitations ( One of which is language ) include the limited memory space ( approximately 10 GB ) that is brought to the kampong , limited internet accessibility and the sudden change of the food ( Sambal belachan ) . In addition, the derviation of questions for the interviewees has always been a challenge for the team. The interviewees may either interpret the questions wrongly or provide bias, misleading and generalized accounts that put Team Minang into a state of confusion. No doubt, the team has successfully made many new friends and blended into the refreshing Kampong lifestyle for 6 days.
The findings with the 4 interviewees will be presented in the subsequent posts.
All research are acknowledged in the reference post .
Done by : Edward Ong
Posted by ohh89 at 12:40 PM
Mr Irianto Safari
Mr Irianto Safari is the president of Minangkabau association of Singapore who is 44 years old Singaporean. Works as an Executive Engineer. He is a very approachable and knowledgeable person. He has two sons one who is 3 years old and the other only 10 months old. According to Adat Perpatih traditional Minang family needs to have daughters to continue. the matrilinear line. However, due to modernisation, Mr Irianto is open to the idea of not having daughters to continue the family line(matrilinear based) as most of the families in Singapore is patrilinear based. Perhaps, Mr Irianto has adapted to the Singapore way of living.He has a Minang wife who comes from Indonesia. His humble beginnings started back when his grandmother started out as a seamstress.
The Minangkabau association of Singapore was established on 31st August 1994, aiming to promote and to safeguard Minang culture and customs through various ways. For example having people to wear traditional Minang costumes during events, conduct wedding services having traditional dancers to dance on special occasions. To instill public awareness of the Minang culture by giving talks to the public and also working and communicating with other Minangs around the world.
Based on Mr Irianto's true feelings about Minangs towards globalisation, he believes the generalisation of Minangs into the Malay community. Due to Singapore governments racial categorisation. (Chinese, Indian, Malay, Eurasian as the four main official races in Singapore) (Reason being that the lifestyle of traditional Minang is quite similar to traditional Malay in general.E.g. their main religion is Islam. The categorisation has caused the Minang to lose their distinctiveness as their considered Malay when their not exactly Malay. E.g. most Malay practise Adat Temenggong but most Minang practise Adat Perpatih. In the long run future Minang generation thinks that they are Malay hence lose their roots if Adat Perpatih is not reinforced when they are young.
Mr Irianto tries to adapt globalisation, instead of strictly sticking to the old traditional Minang culture. He does keep in touch with Minang committee all over the world. Perhaps he is trying to unite the Minangs all over the world to see how Minangs as a whole have changed in terms of culture and perception (So as to minimise the disadvantages of globalisation.Eg losing the unique heritage). He approximate that there are about 4 million Minangs left worldwide. He also approximates that there are about 40 000 Minangs in Singapore.
Mr Irianto talks about Minangs in West Sumatra. He says that Adat Perpatih is significantly stronger as compared to Singapore. One of the reasons could be the strong positive belief in the Minang caused by the Datuk because he is the one which act as a bridge between the understandings of Adat and the clan members. But in Singapore, there is no Datuks in influencing the Adat belief. The Minang in Singapore(second generation) they have no idea about Adat Perpatih.
In addition, the similarities between West Sumatra Minangs and Singapore Minangs is that both communities emphasize the importance of racial harmony. The Minangs are able to integrate with other racial communities. In West Sumatra( Of Malay dominance) , they have lion dances to celebrate special occasions(a typical Chinese custom). As supported by Mr Irianto, the peace and stability level in West Sumatra is relatively higher as compared to other states in Indonesia(Java etc). This is similar under Singapore context. In Singapore we celebrate Racial Harmony Day where Students dress up in traditional clothes to promote racial understanding.
However, there are differences between the two communities in West Sumatra and Negeri Sembilan. In West Sumatra, consideration of the traditional inheritance ( harta pusaka ) law is high(important).
The idea of As stated by Mr Irianto " If the land is belong to the mother it will be passed down through the matrilinear line but if I were to purchase a car or any other fixed assets it will have the title deed of my name. " The inheritance law is solely restricted to ancestry land. The remaining assets will be shared by both husband and wife ( Chair analogy as stated by Mr. Junaidi) . In Negeri Sembilan, however, the traditional inheritance law is not commonly practised and it could be the adoption of Islamic law instead of Adat Perpatih. Moreover, younger generation prefers to work in urban areas of Malaysia in search of higher income. During the process they develop the thinking of self-sustainability(economically independant hence they do not depend on Adat Perpatih anymore, stated by Mr Hassan.
To a limited extent, Adat Perpatih is not practised actively by the Minang community in Singapore.
Snapshots of Mr Irianto Safari, a 44 years old engineer, who is a President of the Minangkabau Society, Singapore.
Done by : Jermaine Ng
Posted by ohh89 at 12:39 PM
Mr Junaidi Muhamad Zen
Though Mr. Irianto gave us insights of the minang culture and how he preserves it, Mr. Junaidi Muhamad Zen, a Gung-Ho 41 year old Permanent Resident (PR) of Singapore, illustrates his story of Minang culture back in his homeland in West Sumatra, Indonesia. Working as a Technical Support Manager and has a family of two children and a loving wife. Saying that, his family is one with the society in the Cosmopolitan City of Singapore.
“Singapore is like a pressure cooker, in comparison with West Sumatra” laughed Mr. Junaidi, enlightening us on how he still feels when he migrated to Singapore from Indonesia 6 years back. Though the stress level is high in Singapore, and the heavy influence by the western society so strong, he still embraces tightly onto his minang culture. To him Minang culture, is a guide in life for example, having character traits of a mother hen, of being protective of their precious like culture. This value was also emphasized by an Adat Specialist we met in Negeri Sembilan, who also portrays more of the minang values that is symbolized by Mother Nature. Mr. Junaidi said that Minang culture, makes him who he is now and is generally good. The Unique values that we learned from him, is mostly got to do with Mother Nature too. Connecting our daily life with Nature, like trees, animals and many more.
What is so fantastic about the teachings that are instilled in minangs, is that they are able to adapt so easily into any cultures. For example Mr. Junaidi, who is a ‘true-blue’ minang from West Sumatra (where Minang Culture started) who is still going strong in his belief of Minang culture, even though he stays in such an ever-changing society. Legends like for example the claim about Alexander the Great, which they feel that it encourages minang men to merantau (migrate).
“We claim that King Alexander the Great is the first ever Minang, and he has three other children that became the Emperor of China, the King of Europe and the King of Germany. Therefore we adapt very easily into other cultures because all of us are brothers! Their culture is our culture!”
Though it may seem wild, it keeps them going and not fearful to venture into other countries and adapt into the other cultures quickly and comfortably. Even though he told us that adat perpatih is changing and sometimes there are major differences between what is practiced between different Minang regions, in the world. Major changes in terms of the practices that they carry out, one region may be carrying out in a totally different way than the other, for example marriages. He kept emphasizing that as long as it doesn’t affect their basic principle, which is their religion-Islam, they are able to adapt and change to suit into the society. Like for example , to pray five times a day, to fast every Ramadhan month and other laws of Islam. “Yes we are flexible, but not so flexible.” Which directs us back to his main point, that they are able to change but not to an extreme where their religious laws are violated.
Therefore, Mr. Junaidi is a man who might be influenced by the ever-changing culture of Singapore, but he still goes back to his basic principle that what he claims what every Minangs holds-Islam. Other interviews, would be further emphasized later on.
Mr Junaidi Muhamad Zen, a jovial technical support manager who is a 'true blue' minang from West Sumatra.
Done by : Sha
Posted by ohh89 at 12:39 PM
Mr Haji Abu Hassan Bin Arjak
Normally, each kampong will have a chief to overlook the whole village. Mr Haji Abu Hassan Bin Arjak, ensures the peacefulness of the people in this village. Although being 66 years old, he’s still jovial and outgoing throughout the interview. Being a father of 7, where 6 of his children are in Seremban and only 1 of them remained in the kampong; Mohamad Fadzil. After retiring as a technician, he is now leading a tranquil life as a business man selling fruits.
As for comparison of kampong, the cultural practices are kept the same regardless of whether its in the past or currently and is still strictly practiced. While for those outside of the kampong, it has been more relaxed as globalization increases in the cities. Despite of the expanding globalization, he still decided to teach his young children about Adat, but the others such as schooling, teaching and religious are still done the same way.
It was mentioned that those basic practices such as marriage procedures which are supposed to be remained have already been changed. Where only 1 out of 10 people in the town will practice the traditional minang marriage customs as they do not want others to know about their minang background. Though they are not ashamed, but they do not want it as they finds it old-fashioned and too religious and wants to follow the on-going trend. Therefore, usually they will follow the more modernise method, being that the weddings held are more towards the normal malay marriages where some of them even get away with the headgear nowadays. However, the mock wedding ceremony which we witnessed was still one which was traditional.When asked if he felt that the minang way of marriage is dying, he indicated that in kampong, it is strong but gradually fades, but as for those in town, its dying off. Moreover, he stated that originally there were many pure minangs, then as a mix and match took place between people from Malaysia and Sumatra, followed by a mixture of marriages, results in a lost of ‘minangness’. Therefore, nowadays most people in kampong are Malays but they can actually be traced back to their forefathers being pure minangs thus it was difficult to find interviewees who were minangs. In addition, even if we managed to get hold of minang people, most of them have already forgot about Adat.
With emigration, most minangs in
It was also pointed that “children these days do not want to follow the culture anymore” as they want to be more modernized and finds the traditional way too troublesome. But he said he will pass it on through the normal way to his children, depending if they want sit or not. He quoted and taught them that “wealth depends on what you do” and 5 of his children does this which is called ‘ ’.
With modernization, his children prefer to study and gain their own wealth instead of marrying and obtaining wealth through ancestors. Since before they are able to inherit any items, they are already earning a living and has their own wealth, so it does not matter and if they do inherits and, it would be considered as additional benefit. Therefore, as education becomes more important even for girls, educated girls do not bother about inheritance of land while less educated girls uses this as an opportunity to gain wealth and support themselves. The elders would want their children to practice it, but it’s still their choice.
Mr Hassan also told us that the minang tradition is vanishing in
Contrasting from what Madam Zainab said, not all Indonesian minangs are rude as it depends on the family in which they were brought up. Also, he said that Warias is only practiced in
As for traditional activities, they are not taken heavily but they still carries out traditional ceremonies such as cutting of fringe, where only 1 is under minang; marriage while the rest are Malay cultures because the bringing down of wealth and inheritance are declining already. Even the marriage is not really like in
Lastly, he said that the culture is still going strong in the kampong where that in Kampong Pelegoing is the strongest and he emphasized that “the choice of whether to continue practicing the culture depends on one’s own choice”. Furthermore, with Adat being practiced in Sumatra more strongly while in Negeri Sembilan is slightly relaxed, its expected to be able to hold on for a longer period of time in
Therefore, with the ever changing society, the minang culture is fading off in the cities but still vigorous in places of kampongs. In addition, the children nowadays have the right to choose whether they will want to continue the way inheritance was passed on and the minangs are always ready to accept anything which is positive and get away with things that has a negative impact.
Posted by ohh89 at 12:36 PM
Madam Zainab
Madam Zianab Bte Yahya , whose 80 years old now with 3 children practising adat perpatih unique to the Minangkabau people in West Sumatra,instead of islam which is practised by the rest of muslims in malaysia. Heres what she said in the next paragraph.
The Waris clan
One of the core Adats, of Adat Perpatih is ADAT Istiadat, is practiced strongly in Malaysia and specifically in Negri Sembilan.
Madam Zainab also said that she was a Waris Clan Leader. This group of people is in charge of Minang marriages. Her title of leader of the Waris Clan is passed on to her by her mother, the former leader. However, this does not mean that the title is passed on only in a hierarchy. The title of Waris Leader is voted by the villagers. They are the ones who decide who will lead the Waris Clan by seeking out the most suitable candidate. Hence only people who have outstanding qualities can take the title of Waris leader.
The internal struggles
Through the interview, we discovered that there are 2 different subclans in Waris, called water and land. These 2 clans will cooperate to work together when there are marriages to perform. However, inside each of the respective clans, we found out that there are disagreements as to who should lead the clan. This is because the people inside who disagree on the direction taken by the clan. Some people want to simplify the customs of marriages, while the others want the customs and traditions to remain in place as a form of preservation.
For example, the traditional minang marriage has 4 main stages: Pandang Memandang (look and see), jarum menjarum (ask and negotiate), pinang meminang(engagement) and Hari Beralat (the wedding day) . The traditional minang weding is very complex. There are 3 types that can take place. Kerja Buapak(marriage with consent from the buapak) , kerja Lembaga(marriage with consent from the lembaga) and kerja undang(marriage with consent from the undang, also the most lavish of the 3.)The disadvantage of the traditional marriage is that all procedures of the wedding must be carefully observed as doing wrongly will result in gossips among the community.
While in the other hand, there are also irregular marriages. Theses marriages are also equally binding as normal marriages, but done in different ways compared to the traditional minang marriage. Irregular marriages are faster, and less complicated. Hence it’s a speedier way to conclude a marriage.There are 4 different types of irregular marriages namely menyerah(marriage by surrender), merumah(taking the house), kahwin lari(runaway marriage), and Terkurung(caught in the house). Of these 4, menyerah and merumah are the most common.
Because the people in their respective groups can’t agree on which system they should adopt, hence this regretfully has led to violent confrontations.
Compared to Singapore minangs, there is no proper group in charge of minang marriages as Singapore law does not recognize minang practices. Hence minangs here in Singapore follow the traditional Muslim marriage rites, which will be elaborated further on in the next paragraph.
Firstly, there are 4 stages in a malay wedding starting with Akad Nikah, which states that marriage is a contract, and the Akad Nikah effectively forges the union. The solmnization is normally presided by a kadhi, a religious official of the Syariat (Shariat) Court. The Akad Nikah ceremony is in effect a verbal contract between the bride's father or his representative (in this case the kadhi) and the groom. A small sum of money called the Mas Kahwin ( In Singapore, it is S$22.50 as of 1998) seals the contract. The groom is also reminded that, should he fail to provide both spiritual and physical sustenance for his wife, the marriage may be dissolved if a complaint is made to the Syariat Court.
Next would be the Istiadat Hantar Belanja (sending of dowry and gifts) and Upacara Akad Nikah (solemnization) often take place at the bride's place. The solemnization is usually conducted by the kadhi (marriage official) in front of witnesses after both partners are asked separately if they consent to the marriage. Gifts of clothes, jewelries and even prayer mats (to signify their adherence to the religion) are presented in intricate boxes or forms known as gubahan.
Following which, guests are invited to partake of a meal on Sunday. This is usually held in the void deck of a housing board flat so as to accommodate the large number of guests invited. Besides cutting down on costs, holding the feast in the void deck also enables the guests to view the bridal chamber and the bersanding (sitting in state) ceremony often held in the pengantin's (bride/groom) home. The wedding preparation is often based on the gotong-royong (cooperation) among friends and relatives, for which the Malays are most well known for. Again in Singapore, simplicity has given way to tradition and requires that such tasks be undertaken by caterers. Also, guests are presented with a bunga telur each. Literally, this means 'flower and egg'. The egg symbolises a fertile union and the hope that the marriage will
produce many children. This practice is also observed in Minang marriages.
For more information about the weddings in the Malay community, please go to the following URL address:
http://www.zawaj.com/weddingways/malay.html
Madam Zainab’s personal view of Minangs
Through the interview, we also discovered that Madam Zainad had a very bad impression on the Minang people. She calls them violent and vulgar people who mistreat people. Her bad impression of Minangs , could be because her son wanted to marry a Minang women. However after seeing how she treats her son with disrespect and how dominating she was, she disapproved of their courtship. And from then on she disliked Minang people as a whole due to the minangs women’s bad attitude.This however does not stop her from practicing the minang ideology of Adat perpatih, which was passed on to her by her mother.
Mdm Zainab Bte Yahya, a cheerful 80 year old lady, who used to be a Waris Clan Leader.
Done by : Justin Tan
Posted by ohh89 at 12:35 PM
Conclusion
To find if the Malaysian lifestyle has any impact on the minang culture we have looked at the different angles, such as marriage, education. We have also looked into other factors that have impacted the minang culture. When interviewed on the issue of marriage all our respondents gave the same response, their replies are as follows.
[A rose that has a boiled egg attached. This is usually found in a traditional Minang wedding ceremony that signifies fertility. However, not many young Minangs would want to follow the customs in Negeri Sembilan.]
They have stated that the youth are more modernized and hence find the traditional customs much too troublesome. Has there are many steps to be carried out (steps have explained in Madam Zainab’s interview.) As a result people have started to simplify the customs of marriages or even adopt the Muslim marriage practices. However this commonly occurs in the cities outside the kampongs.
[The plate dance performed by the Silat Master and Caklempong are some of the traditions that are preserved in Kampong Pelegong.]
But the situation is otherwise in kampongs. The youths brought up in the kampong they still want the customs and traditions to remain in place as a form of preservation. However, occasionally there are weddings in the kampongs that do not completely follow tradition wedding. For example, the headgear may not be used. Most times the reasoning behind this is that they are shy (not ashamed).
In terms of marriage there is influence from the Malaysian society especially on the city Minangs.
Minangs have their own practices such as following the matrilineal line or carrying out adat perpatih. These practices are mostly or already not being practiced in the cities. This is also occurring in the kampongs as well.
[Kuala Lumper (KL) , the capital city of Malaysia. The remaining states in Malaysia (except Negeri Sembilan) follow Adat Temenggong. To a great extent, Globalisation has caused the Minangs to change in terms of their thinking and their way of life.]
The lack of practices in the cities such as KL is probably due to the influence of the Muslim culture, where the patrilineal line is recognized. It would easier for them to blend in with the rest of the society by following the patrilineal line.
[Mr Hassan : The Minangkabau architecture is not commonly seen in Kampong Pelegong as the construction of the "horns" ( see rooftop ) are troublesome. Most Malays prefer the easy way out.]
As Mr Hassan had mentioned that when minangs move from state to state they are know as Muslims (and not specifically as minangs). This is because the majority of the population is known as Muslims. The more the villagers move out of their kampong the faster the individual looses their identity. The impact upon an individual is small or null as long as they stay within their boundaries of their kampong.
Ever since the first group of pure minangs (origimal minangs from Sumatra) set foot here they have come in to contact with many muslims. This resulted in cross cultural marriages between minangs and muslims have also resulted in loss in minangness. Since they are not true blue minangs practices are not handed down. According to our interviewees some of them of the residence are not even aware if their roots date back to minang ancestors.
Even if they are aware that they follow the minang traces they are not following practices (such as adat perpatih). For example Mr Hassan, who has well educated daughter working out state. They are not willing to take the properties that are by right hers. This is the possible that his daughters have started adopting the patrilineal line which is adopted by the muslim society.
As a whole the lifestyle of the Minangs in Negeri Sembilan is not greatly affected by the Muslim society. It is the Minangs moving out state that are mostly influenced by the minang society.
However globalization is different from moving out of state. Globalization is the movement from country to country.
When discussing globalization issues we have to consider both the short and long-run factors. This is because immigrants do not move in permanently (as stated by Mr Junaidi). They usually work to make as much money as possible and then they would return back to their homeland (short-run).
[The generalisation of the Minangs as Malay Muslims has caused the Minangs to lose their cultural distinctiveness . Has the Malay culture overtaken the Adat in the lives of the Minangs ?]
However as long as they leave their boundaries they are generally known as Muslims.
This slowly causes them to let go of their unique identity and start to call themselves Muslims as well. Most minags marry Muslims when they migrate. As a result most Minangs lose their Minangness. As the effects of globalization become dominant, they are losing more of their identity.
Singapore minangs have their own association, Singapore Minangkabau Association (SMA). Here many types of facilities are provided, for example minang weddings, musical instruments and dancing.
According to Mr Irianto, the president of SMA, it is rare that minangs join the association or even request for a minang wedding. This is because it is rare to find pure minangs or even mixed minangs who want a traditional marriage. He also said that “he tries to adapt to globalisation, instead of strictly sticking to the old traditional Minang culture”.
When comparing the Singaporean minangs to the minangs in Negri Sembilan. There is a difference in the marriage traditions. Beginning with choice, the Singaporeans are not willing to have the type of traditional wedding that the minangs there are having.
Its also notable that the practices such as matrilineal line and practices is not practiced in Singapore. This is similar to the residence in Negri Sembilan. Where most of them have stopped practising adat perpatih.
From this we can note that globalization is slowly kicking in to Negri Sembilan. Hence, traditional practices are coming to a stand still. This especially applies to the passing down of proper ties to their off-springs.
[Would the future generation still follows the customs ? Would the Minangkabau culture perish in time to come ?]
Changes are obvious in both Singapore and Negri Sembilan. However, the level modernization is greater in Singapore. We agree with Mr Hassan, that the change in Negri Sembilan is definite but gradual. The minangkabau culture in Malaysia is dying gradually but not that soon. Maybe 70 – 80 years to come.
Done by : Gayathri
Posted by ohh89 at 12:34 PM
Thursday, September 13, 2007
References
Internet[Negeri Sembilan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia][Government, Politics and Economy][19/09/2007]
Books / Articles
[Women in Adat Perpatih Society][By : Dr. Azizah Kassim][Pg 28 to 35]
[Social structure and organisation of Negeri Sembilan Malays][By : Norhalim Haji Ibrahim][Pg 44 to 45]
[The vanishing culture of Adat Perpatih][By : Norhalim Haiji Ibrahim][Pg 37 to 42]
[Nationalism and Globalization , East and West][ Edited by : Leo Suryadinata][ Globalization and the Challenges to Malay Nationalism][Pg 132 to Pg 174]
[Nationalism and Globalization , East and West][ Edited by : Leo Suryadinata][ Globalization and Singapore's Search for Nationhood][Pg 71 to Pg 101]
Posted by ohh89 at 8:51 PM
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
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