Page 69 - CONFERENCE BOOK OF INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GENDER, CULTURE AND SOCIETY (ICGCS) 2021

CONFERENCE PROGRAM AND ICGCS 2021

ABSTRACT BOOK

Gender, Culture and Religion

Minang Women in the Patriarchy Cultural Maelstrom:

Viewed from the View of Religion and Culture

Tengku Rika Valentina, Cici Safitri

Universitas Andalas

The still-rooted patriarchal culture, especially in Indonesia, makes this issue always

inspire various kinds of scientific studies that continue to speculate, and it is still an

interesting puzzle that cannot be explained thoroughly. Ideology is used as the basis

for thinking, determining the relationship system between the sexes, this is motivated

by what is called the fatherly basis so that all aspects are seen from the father's point of

view. This ideology becomes lame when women are placed as subordinate to men and

are often not included in making social institutions. The journey of patriarchal culture

was strengthened by social changes in society which later developed into capitalist

society and was then locked with a militarism system. As a result of these social

changes, there is a public view that human norms are considered correct when viewed

from men's point of view. This view applies in all aspects of life, whether social,

economic, political, cultural, and even religious. Looking at Minangkabau culture as the

largest matrilineal ethnic group in the world and the only one being an example in

Indonesia, with its social and political organization approaching a purely matrilineal

type from an anthropological point of view. Not only that, but they have also long been

known as steadfast adherents of Islam, with a market-oriented and outward-looking

mental attitude, on this basis the tradition of wandering into the legal possession of

Minangkabau culture. These characteristics are side by side with the internal

contradictions that exist in society, giving rise to a sense of pride and high historical

awareness for the Minang people about life collectively. This study aimed to determine

the position of women in Minangkabau when viewed from a patriarchal culture in

terms of religious and cultural perspectives. Using the theory of nature and the theory

of nurture by using the perspective of religion, culture, and family. The method used in

this study is a qualitative method with a descriptive approach, while the object of this

research is Minangkabau ethnic women who are active in organizational activities both

in the realm of government or in non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Techniques

Data collection is done by using interview and observation methods, then the data is

analysed through interview transcripts and reduced by making abstractions as a core

discussion. This study shows various opinions stating that currently women: women in

Minang customs have experienced degradation. Their success in holding heirlooms is
only a symbol, the management of property by Bundo Kanduang is only possessing not

controlling, so the expression "women reign but not rule" applies. The degradation is

caused by the current globalization, capitalism which makes the position of Minang

women beyond the limits of ability. Judging from the contact of customs and religion,

the position of Minang women actually benefits because by custom they are the

owners of high heirlooms, and the man is the head of the family who is obliged to

provide for his wife. This, the position of women in Minangkabau in patriarchal culture

is seen in the context of culture and religion by nature cannot be equated, because it

cannot be separated from the teachings of "adat basandi syarak and syarak basandi

Kitabullah".

Keywords: Minangkabau Women, Matrilineal System, Culture, Religion

Short Biography:
Tengku Rika Valentina is Lecturer of Political Science/Head Lecturer Department of Political Science,

Faculty of Social and Political Science Universitas Andalas

Cici Safitri is Student of Magister of Political Science, Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social
and Political Science Universitas Andalas

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