The Land of Minangkabau, Blessed by the Two Giant

West Sumatra, the Land of Minangkabau, people and culture. Divided by two main area, Luhak nan Tigo and Nagari Parantauan. Agam, Limo Puluah Kota, and Tanah Datar, is where the origin of the Minangkabau people, descendends of Datuk Parpatih nan Sabatang and Datuk Ketamanggungan. Centuries later, the movement of peoples, has established new settlement, Padang, Painan, Pariaman in the Western part, and Rantau Berangin, Danau Bingkuang, Bangkinang in the Eastern part, as Nagari Parantauan.

Minangkabau people are naturalist and religious, yet egaliter and open-minded. Their wisdoms are known as Pepatah Petitih, "Adat Basandi Syara', Syara' Basandi Kitabullah, Alam Takambang manjadi Guru" as the main foundation. The next are "Anak dipangku, Kamanakan dibimbiang, Urang kampuang dipatenggangkan." Therefore, Minangkabau peoples are uphold the custom very highly, being called "beradaik" is the goal and being called "indak baradaik" is the most humiliation.

In daily life, Minangkabau people are very fond, they were taught from the very begining to be honest, and directly show their opinion with no-doubt, yet, the most acceptable ways is conditioned. Sarkasm is a common attiude among people and highly respectable, somebody may be judged as wrong but his pride must be preserved. Minangkabau people always kept their opinion hardly, no matter what other people may think, "Iyoan nan diurang, laluan yang diawak," is another wisdom. In-subordination is common act among peoples.

I was born, as Minangkabau-neese, from two long living family line in Nagari Lurah Taganang, at the very base of Mount Singgalang, which paired by Mount Marapi, are the Two Giant at the heart of Luhak Nan Tigo. Our Land was and still very fertile, thanks to the two Giants. Eventhough I was raised in Parantauan, the Land of Minangkabau is my true hometown, and seing the Mount Marapi and Mount Singgalang, from the veranda of my Grandma house, is the most encouraging feeling of my live.

The Earthquake four month ago, once againt has proved the greatness of wisdom, "Alam Takambang manjadi Guru," where tradisional style of "Rumah Bagonjong" are immune to the quake, while modern houses are down. Peoples are once again back to nature, to the wisdom as religious and naturalist people. Once again the peoples are shown how their arogant so far are nothing compare to the power of nature... while the Two Giants, Mount Merapi and Mount Marapi are stood still, not even a scratch from the quake.... and still blessing the Land of Minangkabau.

Hopefully, together once again, we will "Mambangkik Batang Tarandam" for the good of Minangkabau-neese.