Pusaka 189
Pusaka 189
Blog Article
Pusaka is a term used for family heirlooms that must be treasured and protected. Depending on the item, it may possess supernatural attributes and qualities that can affect the owner positively or negatively.
The Minangkabau people are Muslims and adhere to the life philosophy of Basandi Syarak Adat, namely existing customary law must be in line with and follow Sharia. This is true especially in the aspect of inheritance.
Social life in Minangkabau
The 4.2 million Minangkabau people are a highly affluent ethnic group in West Sumatra. They have a great deal of wealth and have contributed greatly to the Indonesian economy. They are prominent in business, agriculture, banking, telecommunication, and media. Many are musicians, artists, and writers. They are also devout Muslims.
Islam, brought to the Minangkabau through increased trade with Gujerat and Malacca, influenced the culture but did not replace it entirely. The traditional tambo (chronicles) still contain legends such as the one recounting that God made the world with his Light from which angels and then human beings emerged.
Men are seen as the upholders of customary law and play a very important role in the ceremonies that frame society, although women contribute equally as they provide words and Pusaka 189 performances for these ceremonies. The Minangkabau are the largest matrilineal society in the world with property and family names passing down from mother to daughter. This societal structure has been altered somewhat by the Muslim religion with women now being granted inheritance and family name rights. Nonetheless, a lot of the pre-Islamic customs remain firmly in place such as the desire for families to seek out males of good seed in order to ensure their daughters’ well-being. Men’s positions as penghulu (head of lineage) and mamak (marriage broker) also help them maintain their social status.
Inheritance in Minangkabau
Minangkabau customs and laws are influenced by matrilineal traditions. Thus, inheritance of high-level heirloom treasures (Pusaka) are distributed according to the lineage of the mother. This means that the daughters of the deceased will inherit a greater portion than the sons, because the inheritance of the father is considered less important.
Inheritances can be divided in accordance with the wishes of the deceased, or according to the law. However, if the estate is divided unequally, then it will be combined into a higher-level inheritance (Pusaka). This process can be repeated in subsequent generations. As the result, low-level heirloom treasures will continue to mingle with high-level inheritance.
As such, inheritance is often postponed in order to comply with Islamic law and cultural norms. However, this is not always possible. Consequently, Islamic law and culture often conflict.
In this research, we will focus on how Minangkabau indigenous people in the Medan area subdistrict make inheritance-related decisions, and whether these decisions are in line with Islamic law or customs. We will also examine the reasons for postponing inheritance distribution. We will use qualitative methods to collect data, including in-depth interviews and documentation studies. This will help us better understand the causes of postponing inheritance and to identify the factors that influence this behavior. Report this page