Minangkabau Cultural Identity: History And Development

Abstract

This paper delves into the historical trajectory and development of the ABS-SBK philosophy, which serves as the cornerstone of the cultural identity of the Minangkabau community. ABS-SBK, an acronym for Adaik Basandi Syarak, Syarak Basandi Kitabullah, represents a fundamental principle guiding the lives of the Minangkabau people, highlighting the significance of harmonizing customary traditions (adaik) with the teachings of Islam (syarak). The research methodology employed in this study is qualitative, utilizing interviews and document analysis drawing from ethnographic literature and historical sources. The aim of this discourse is to offer a comprehensive understanding of the formation of ABS-SBK as a core of cultural identity within the Minangkabau community, by examining its historical origins, socio-religious dimensions, and contemporary implications.