Culture & Etiquette

1. Rumah gadang

   Rumah gadang (Minangkabau traditional house)

   Usage

   The traditional Minangkabau house with a roof that curves up at both ends; a family on the mother's side lives in it

   Grammar Note

   "Rumah" is house and "gadang" is big; Minangkabau uses gadang, not Indonesian besar, for big

2. Gonjong

   Gonjong (pointed roof end)

   Usage

   The upturned pointed end of the roof of a rumah gadang or a rangkiang

3. Rangkiang

   Rangkiang (rice barn)

   Usage

   A rice barn standing in front of a rumah gadang, with a similar roof

4. Surau

   Surau (prayer house)

   Usage

   A small building used for prayer and study; boys traditionally slept in the surau

5. Nagari

   Nagari (traditional village unit)

   Usage

   The village-level unit in West Sumatra, with its own leadership

6. Marantau

   Marantau (leaving home to seek a living)

   Usage

   The Minangkabau custom of leaving the home village to make a living elsewhere; the dictionary example is Nyo lah lamo marantau ka Malaysia

7. Adaik Minangkabau

   Minangkabau customary law

   Usage

   The customs and rules of Minangkabau society, including its matrilineal system

8. Bundo Kanduang

   Bundo Kanduang (the ideal Minangkabau mother)

   Usage

   A term that stands for women in Minangkabau society and for their place in a matrilineal society

9. Mamak

   Mamak (mother's brother)

   Usage

   The mother's brother, who has an important role in looking after nephews and nieces in a matrilineal society

   Grammar Note

   Different from Indonesian mamak, which is used for mother or uncle in some regions

10. Pangulu

    Pangulu (clan leader)

    Usage

    The elder who leads a clan; also written Pangulu or Panghulu

11. Pasambahan

    Pasambahan (formal speech of welcome)

    Usage

    A ceremonial way of speaking in set phrases, used to receive guests and at weddings

12. Randai

    Randai (folk theatre)

    Usage

    A Minangkabau folk theatre that combines silek, song, dance and drama

13. Silek

    Silek (Minangkabau martial art)

    Usage

    The traditional martial art of the Minangkabau, with dance-like movements

14. Saluang

    Saluang (bamboo flute)

    Usage

    A traditional bamboo flute of the Minangkabau

15. Rabab

    Rabab (bowed lute)

    Usage

    A traditional bowed string instrument whose body is made from a coconut shell

16. Talempong

    Talempong (gong-chime)

    Usage

    A Minangkabau percussion instrument made of small gongs struck in turn

17. Sarunai

    Sarunai (reed pipe)

    Usage

    A traditional Minangkabau wind instrument played at ceremonies

18. Tari Piriang

    Tari Piriang (plate dance)

    Usage

    One of the best-known Minangkabau dances, performed with plates held in the hands

19. Tari Pasambahan

    Tari Pasambahan (welcome dance)

    Usage

    A dance that expresses welcome to guests, described as an expression of salamaik datang

20. Tari Payuang

    Tari Payuang (umbrella dance)

    Usage

    A dance with umbrellas that expresses affection

21. Tari Indang

    Usage

    A traditional dance known in Pariaman and along the coast of West Sumatra

22. Songket Pandai Sikek

    Pandai Sikek songket

    Usage

    A hand-woven cloth with gold and silver thread made in a village in Tanah Datar

23. Malin Kundang

    Malin Kundang (legend)

    Usage

    A West Sumatran legend about a son who turned his back on his mother; a rock on a Padang beach is said to be him

24. Kato nan ampek

    Kato nan ampek (four ways of speaking)

    Usage

    The Minangkabau rule of four ways of speaking: up to elders, down to juniors, level with peers, and indirect

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