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Home , Istana, Malays (ethnic group), Minangkabau clans, Minangkabau culture, Pagaruyung Kingdom

MEDIA RELEASE For immediate release

MINANGKABAU TAKES CENTRESTAGE AT THE HERITAGE CENTRE

Singapore, 16 May 2015 – The Minangkabaus – originally from West , , is a community which advocates that their people integrate and adhere to the lifestyle and practices of the new homeland in which they settled, while retaining the culture and traditions at the same time. Guided by this philosophy, notable Minangkabau personalities , Zubir Said, Eunos Abdullah and Lieutenant Adnan Saidi gave selflessly and significantly to the new country in which their forefathers had migrated to – .

2 In partnership with the Singapore Minangkabau Association (SMA), the (MHC) presents MARANTAU: Dima Bumi Dipijak Di Sinan Langik Dijunjuang (MARANTAU: Migration and Integration of the Minangkabau Community in Singapore), an exhibition which traces the history and development of the Minangkabau community and their fascinating culture. This is the second installation in MHC’s Se- (“Of the Same Archipelago”) series, held annually to celebrate the rich ethnic diversity of the in Singapore. The exhibition will be launched by Dr Maliki Osman, Minister of State for the Ministry of National Development and Ministry of Defence, on 16 May 2015, 7.30pm.

3 The are unique among other ethnic in the region as they are considered to be the largest surviving matrilineal society, in which lineage and inheritance are handed down via the mothers. Scholars have attributed this to the Marantau tradition – a where men in the community leave their hometowns to explore other islands and regions, typically to trade or seek employment, in order to gain knowledge and experience. The women stay behind to take care of family and property.

4 The stories of the Minangkabaus are told through more than 60 community- contributed artefacts that reflect their vibrant culture and lifestyle. Star exhibits include a traditional dais, a two-metre long handcrafted model of the Pagaruyung (the royal of the former ), rich -woven textiles, as well as salendang (women’s shoulder cloth) which are usually worn draped over one shoulder, over the traditional baju (costume), handed down over generations from mother to daughter.

5 As part of the exhibition, MHC and SMA will also be presenting a host of exciting programmes from music, dance, drama to textile-weaving demonstrations and public talks, which aim to provide deeper insights into the and traditions. Some key highlights include the performance of , a folk dance-drama which is rarely performed outside of ; an evening fashion showcase which presents the colourful traditional Minang costumes; and a talk on Zubir Said and the Ishak brothers by their close family members.

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6 Said the President of SMA, Mr Irianto Safari, “We are excited to work with MHC on this exhibition to present the uniqueness of the Minangkabau culture. Not only is this an excellent platform to further the public’s awareness of our culture, but also for us all to better appreciate and honour the contributions of prominent Minangs, like Singapore’s first President Yusof Ishak, Zubir Said, the composer of our national anthem, Majulah Singapura and Lieutenant Adnan Saidi who sacrificed his life defending his home. It is a fitting exhibition to celebrate our nation’s 50th year of independence indeed”.

7 Chairman of the Malay Heritage Foundation, Mdm Zuraidah Abdullah said, “The MARANTAU exhibition is the second exhibition to be held under the Se- Nusantara series. It aims to present a comprehensive overview of Singapore’s place in the wider and the significance of the Malays as part of the larger Singapore story. As Singapore’s Malay community comprises several sub-ethnic groups, it is important that we get to know the cultures of these groups. We hope through our exhibitions and programmes, visitors will gain a better understanding of how the different Malay sub-ethnic groups, such as the Minangs, , Javanese, add richness to Singapore’s multi- cultural society and spark conversations of our shared heritage”.

8 Please refer to Annex A for artefact highlights and Annex B for the full list of programmes.

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For media queries, please contact:

Keith Kay DID: 6220 5010 Mobile: 9628 4263 Email: [email protected]

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About the Malay Heritage Centre

Officially re-opened by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in September 2012, the Malay Heritage Centre (MHC) showcases the history, culture and contributions of the Malay community within the context of Singapore’s history and multi-cultural society. MHC’s permanent galleries focus on the history of Kampong Gelam and showcase an interesting collecting of artefacts from the National Collection and the Malay community. Through its exhibitions and programmes, the centre aspires to be a vibrant destination of historical and cultural significance for both and international visitors. MHC is under the management of the National Heritage Board in partnership with the Malay Heritage Foundation.

About the National Heritage Board

The National Heritage Board (NHB) was formed on 1 August 1993. As the custodian of Singapore’s heritage, NHB is responsible for telling the Singapore story, sharing the Singaporean experience and imparting our Singapore spirit. NHB’s mission is to preserve and celebrate the shared heritage of our diverse communities, for the purpose of education, nation-building and cultural understanding. It manages the national museums and heritage institutions, and sets policies relating to heritage sites, monuments and the national collection. Through the national collection, NHB curates heritage programmes and presents exhibitions to connect the past, present and future generations of Singaporeans. NHB is now a statutory board under the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth. Please visit www.nhb.gov.sg for more information.

About the Singapore Minangkabau Association (SMA)

The Singapore Minangkabau Association (SMA) was established on 31 August 1995 with a mission to preserve and promote the Minangkabau culture in Singapore as well as to introduce and educate on Minangkabau customs and traditions to Singaporeans and non- Singaporeans. In 1996, SMA was the bestowed the honour of the Custodian of Minangkabau Culture, Traditions and Customs in Singapore by the Governor of West Sumatra, Indonesia (the homeland of the Minangkabau people). Comprising an executive committee and three sub-committees (Women’s, Youth and Culture), SMA has built a network with Minang and non-Minang associations across Kuala Lumpur, Bahru, in and , Batam, and West Sumatra in Indonesia. Currently, SMA has more than 250 members including support from local Minang-run businesses such as the nasi restaurants around Kampong Gelam.

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ANNEX A Highlights of the MARANTAU exhibition

MARANTAU: Dima Bumi Dipijak Di Sinan Langik Dijunjuang Migration and Integration of the Minangkabau Community in Singapore

17 May – 13 September 2015 Tuesdays to Sundays, 10.00am – 6.00pm Last entry at 5.30pm (Closed on Mondays) Galleries 1 & 2 Free Admission

Artefacts Significance Model of Istana Basa Pagaruyung This handcrafted replica depicts the grand palace On loan from the Minang Welfare of the Pagaruyung dynasty who were once rulers of Association of the State of Johor the Minangkabau people. Although the Perang (Persatuan Kebajikan Anak Minang Padri (Padri ) in the early 19th century resulted Negeri Johor) in the end of Minangkabau monarchy, the istana (palace) is a symbol held in high esteem by today’s Minangkabau society. Built in the vernacular Location: Gallery 1 architectural style of the crowned by

buffalo horn-shaped roofs (bagonjong), it is distinguished by its large scale and three-storeyed structure.

Pelaminan (Visual reference only) This is a traditional Minangkabau wedding dais replete with rich and colourful gold-woven textiles Location: Gallery 1 and symbolic representations.

Tabia drapery This is a feature installation along the back wall of Gallery 2. Composed of long elaborately Location: Gallery 2 embroidered cloths (tabia) overlaid with colourful bunting-like runners, this ceremonial drapery is quintessential to Minangkabau material culture. They are often put up to decorate walls (even tent- walls) and stage backdrops for every family, clan or community festivities.

Carano (footed tray) with dulamak The carano is a bronze footed tray upon which the (embroidered cover) ingredients and implements for making a betel quid (sirih) are placed. This is then covered with a Location: Gallery 2 sumptuous velvet cover known as a dulamak. This complete presentation signifies an important aspect of Minangkabau culture as sirih occupies a central place in customs and traditions across the Nusantara. Sirih is offered to welcome guests and signal the start of any proceedings. Different preparation of sirih quids also convey coded messages to the recipient.

Complete set of traditional wedding This is a complete set of traditional wedding dress dress and finery for the bridge and groom, mostly closely associated with Padang, the city capital of the Location: Gallery 2 Minangkabau territory. Although Minangkabau wedding costumes across West Sumatra will defer according to region, this Padang version is emblematic of Minangkabau culture as whole. It features the distinctive headwear called the saluak for men and an extremely ornate (even heavy) suntiang for women, said to be adapted from contact with traditional Chinese fashion in the historic period.

Salendang These salendang (women’s shouldercloth) are usually worn draped over one shoulder, over the Location: Gallery 2 traditional baju (costume). These beautiful pieces are heirlooms handed down over generations from mother to daughter and some of them feature weaving and embroidery techniques which are no longer practised by contemporary Minangkabau artisans as the knowledge has been lost.

Genta sapi From its origin myth to the vernacular architecture, the buffalo or kabau occupies a central place and Location: Gallery 2 symbolism in Minangkabau culture. In a geographic sense, the West Sumatran highlands located in the valleys and slopes of active and dormant volcanoes such as Gunung Merapi represent some of the most fertile ground for agriculture. Hence, cultivation was an intensive practice among the Minangkabau communities in which buffaloes play an important role as beasts of burden in plowing and irrigation.

Talempong Although the look similar to Javanese sets, the is a key instrument in Location: Gallery 2 the Minangkabau – both as musical forms and as accompaniments to dance and theatre. The talempong is traditionally played, laid on the ground but nowadays can be supported on stands.

ANNEX B Programmes

All programmes are free and will be conducted in English unless otherwise stated.

All information is correct at the time of print. Please visit www.malayheritage.org.sg for further info

2.30pm Seminar: ‘Marantau’ This seminar will explore the MHC Tradition in Minangkabau tradition of marantau, Auditorium Minangkabau Society which requires the men to leave home in pursuit of knowledge, social wisdom Speaker: Dr. Mochtar and economic success. The Naim Minangkabau is known as one of the largest surviving matrilineal clan- based society in the world which has been widely studied.

Saturday Registration is required. 23 May

5.00pm Performance: Minang Spend your Saturday afternoon with MHC Songs & Dance I Pelangi Ranah Minang, a Auditorium by Pelangi Ranah Minangkabau cultural group based in Minang Padang, West Sumatra, who will entertain you with a variety of traditional songs and dances.

Registration is required.

2.30pm Performance: Malin Watch the story of MHC Kundang Dance- (The Faithless Child) come alive in Auditorium drama this taridra, a performance that Saturday by Barboovie combines both dance and drama 30 May elements. In Bahasa Indonesia Registration is required.

2.30pm Seminar: Traditional This seminar will examine the MHC Minangkabau House symbols and meanings behind the Auditorium Varieties architecture of traditional Minangkabau houses. Known as Speaker: Ir. Hasmurdi rumah gadang or rumah bagonjong, Hassan these houses often feature one of the most distinctive emblems Saturday synonymous with the Minangkabau 6 June culture - roofs shaped to resemble buffalo horns.

Registration is required.

7.30pm Performance: Larih Grab this chance to watch this folk MHC Simawang (Randai dance-drama which is rarely

Fountain Dance) performed outside of West Sumatra! by SMK Tanah Datar Randai, which mixes storytelling with Minangkabau traditional songs, dance moves and is uniquely performed in a circle - representing the unity of the Minangkabau society.

2.30pm Seminar: Keajaiban Edwin Hidayat & Edwel Yusri, both MHC Silat & Kaedah Ilmu long time silat practitioners will talk Auditorium Hidup Dalam about the philosophy and underlying Gerakan Mematikan principles of silat. Find out more about (Applying the Tenets this traditional form of self-defence of Silat to the and its aesthetics as well as spiritual Sunday Principles of Life) elements. 14 June Speaker: Edwin Registration is required. Hidayat & Edwel Dt Rajo Gampo Alam

In Bahasa Indonesia

2.30pm Seminar: Matrilineal This seminar will talk about the MHC Minangkabau Society matrilineal Minangkabau community Auditorium where ownership of a family's property Speaker: Prof. Dr. is passed from mothers to daughters Puti Reno Raudha for generations with Professor Dr. Puti Saturday Thaib Reno Raudha Thaib from Andalas 27 June University, Padang. In Bahasa Minangkabau with Registration is required. English translations

8.30pm Performance: Minang Don’t miss out on a musical evening Bussorah Songs & Dance II with Sumbar Talenta as they bring to Friday Mall by Sumbar Talenta you various traditional Minangkabau 24 July songs and dances like the tari pasambahan and tari piring!

2.30pm Seminar by For this Distinguished Speaker MHC Distinguished Seminar, we will be inviting Tan Sri Dr Auditorium Speaker, Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim, a prominent political Rais Yatim Minangkabau figure in Malaysia, who is currently the President of International Islamic University of Saturday Malaysia (IIUM). 25 July

Registration is required.

7.30pm Minang Fashion As part of Aliwal Night Crawl, Malay Bussorah Show Heritage Centre presents a Minang Mall by Sumbar Talenta Fashion Show which will showcase

the rich Minangkabau textile tradition like the songket. Textile and fashion lovers out there should not miss out on this parade of colourful traditional costumes from the various regions of West Sumatra.

11.00am Seminar: Rivers & This seminar by Prof. Dr. Gusti Asnan MHC Footpaths As A will look into the factors that motivated Auditorium Motivating Factor of the migration of the Minangkabau Minangkabau people to the from Migration To Malay the social, political and economic Peninsula Until The aspects. Early 20th Century Registration is required. Speaker: Prof. Dr. Gusti Asnan 2.30pm Seminar: Tadarus For this seminar, writer and literary MHC Cinta Buya Pujangga figure, Akmal Nasery Basral will Auditorium Speaker: Akmal discuss his novel, Tadarus Cinta Buya Nasery Basral Pujangga, which is a fictional book Sunday that traces the life of well-known 2 August In Bahasa Indonesia Indonesian literary figure of Minangkabau descent, , or also known as Haji Abdul Malik Karim Amrullah.

Registration is required.

5.00pm Festivities: Barayo di Celebrate this festive Hari Raya MHC Rumah Gadang (Hari season Minangkabau-style with songs Auditorium Raya Celebrations at and dances that are sure to uplift your the Rumah Gadang) mood!

Registration is required.

2.30pm Seminar: Prominent This seminar will give audience a MHC Minangkabaus in special glimpse into the lives of two Auditorium Singapore: Zubir very prominent local Minangkabau Said, Yusof and figures - Yusof Ishak (first president of Rahim Ishak Singapore) and Zubir Said (the lauded composer who wrote Singapore's Speakers: Assoc. national anthem). Assoc. Prof Lily Saturday Prof Lily Zubaidah Zubaidah and Dr Rohana will be 15 August Rahim & Puan Sri talking about their families. Assoc. Datin Dr Rohana Prof Lily, being the niece of Yusof Zubir Ishak will talk about the lineage and legacy of the Yusof Ishak family.

In the same vein, Dr Rohana, daughter of Pak Zubir, will bring us

through some episodes in his life that portrays Pak Zubir as a son, as a husband and a family man and friend; as a worker; as a mentor, and above all as a musician who was single minded in his drive to achieve the very best, and to do the best he could, within many trials and constraints.

Registration is required.

5.00pm Dance-Theatre: Sauik Enjoy this unique randai performance MHC Randai Manjalang by the Indojati group from West Auditorium Rang Rantau Sumatra which combines songs, Mandakekan Hati dance, drama and silat (traditional by Indojati Malay martial arts).

Registration is required.

2.30pm Talk/Demo: Koto Rich and luxurious textiles are often MHC Gadang : Sulam, associated with Minangkabau culture. Auditorium Tenun, Renda dan This lecture will highlight the different Keunikannya (Koto techniques of embroidery, weaving Gadang: Embroidery, and lace-making (or edge-making) Weaving, Lace & which are characteristic of the Koto Their Uniqueness) Gadang region. There will also be Speaker: Sita Dewi some demonstration of these Razai techniques at the end of the seminar. Saturday 22 August In Bahasa Indonesia 5.00pm Rambun Pamenan This randai (dance-theatre) tells the MHC by Tuah Serantau story of Rambun Pamenan, a Auditorium chivalrous young man who faced many challenges in his effort to save his widowed mother, the beautiful Linduang Bulan from the clutches of the evil king, Angek Garang.

Registration is required.

2.30pm Tari Sumarak Rumah In this dance, the important role of MHC Gadang Bundo Kanduang (or Mother) in the Auditorium by Giring-giring Minangkabau society is highlighted Bambu whereby all activities under the roof Saturday are managed by her. This section will 5 also feature other dance and musical September performances uniquely from the West Sumatera region.

Registration is required.