Petatah-Petitih in Minangkabau Community in Medan, Indonesia: Its Use and Meanings

Abstract

This study depicts how petatah-petitih (proverbs) and their meanings are used by the Minangkabau people in Medan, Indonesia. This study utilized a qualitative approach. The method used in data collection is documentation techniques to informants talk about sayings and their meanings in Minangkabau society. The data were in the form of utterances taken from observation and interview. The findings present the meanings of petatah-petitih used by community members on some occasion such as giving advice, thanksgiving, marriage, courtesy, and arranging marriage contracts. The moral values incorporated in the proverbs include tolerance, loyalty, humility, satire, and success. Proverbs used for family advice are the most dominant.