Minangkabau

The Minangkabau, or Orang Minangkabau, are an ethnic group native to the Minangkabau Highlands in West Sumatra, Indonesia. Their traditional homeland spans the hinterland around the city of Padang and nearby coastal areas. The culture is notable for its matrilineal social structure, distinctive adat (customary law), and a strong emphasis on education, trade, and gender roles within the family and community.

A defining feature of Minangkabau society is matriliny. Descent and lineage are traced through women, and property and inherited wealth typically pass through the female line. Women often hold substantial influence in household and clan affairs, while men commonly lead in religious, ceremonial, and political spheres under adat-guided governance.

Linguistically, the Minangkabau speak the Minangkabau language, an Austronesian tongue that coexists with Indonesian. Most are Muslims, predominantly Sunni with Sufi influences, and religious life is integrated with adat practices. Traditional education and religious instruction occur in pesantren and other community settings.

Culturally, the Minangkabau are known for Rumah Gadang, the distinctive house with sweeping curved roofs that symbolize strength and kinship. The cuisine, especially rendang, is widely celebrated beyond their homeland and has become a national and international culinary emblem. Traditional arts include music with talempong gong ensembles and various dances, as well as craft and literature tied to adat.

Historically, the Minangkabau played a prominent role in regional trade and reform movements, such as the Padri War in the 19th century. Today, they form a major cultural group in West Sumatra and maintain a widespread diaspora in neighboring Malaysia, Singapore, and parts of Europe due to migration and colonial-era connections.