MARRIAGE SYSTEM IN MINANGKABAU CULTURE: TEMPORARY MINANGKABAU PEOPLE’S PERCEPTION

Abstract

Minangkabau people tend to marry between close families in one village and mamak plays a very important role in marital affairs. In line with changes in various aspects of life, there are also changes in the marriage culture. This study aims to describe the perception of the marriage system in temporary Minangkabau society. This research is qualitative research with a descriptive method. Data was collected using a questionnaire filled out by 60 informants. Informants are spread over the core Minangkabau i.e. Luhak Tanah Datar, Luhak Agam, and Luhak 50 Kota) as well as overseas (Daerah Rantau) and coastal areas (Daerah Pesisir) i.e Padang City, Pariaman City, and Painan City). Percentage techniques are used to get the characteristic tendency. The results of the study reveal that there are variations in the response of the Minangkabau community, both as a whole, based on luhak, as well as overseas and coastal areas. The highest tendency to be matched by mamak and married to people from Minangkabau is in Luhak Tanah Datar and the Daerah Rantau and Pesisir (93.33%) and the lowest tendency is in Luhak Agam and Luhak 50 Kota (73.3%). However, overall Minangkabau people tend to be matched by mamak and married to people from Minangkabau (83%). In addition, in general, Minangkabau people marry other Minangkabau people to understand Minangkabau customs and regulations and to preserve the culture. However, because of the times, many Minangkabau people have married people outside the Minangkabau, partly because of the tradition of wandering.