Page 118 - BAB I-V ADATMINANG

The incident above shows that, if a father is often seen

by his child as committing disgraceful acts or morals, then his
son will also do the same thing. Conversely, if a good example

is often set by a father to his child, then his son will do the

same. The meaning above means that children's attitudes and
morals are strongly influenced by their environment. In this

case the customary proverb also says:
Parent Kuriak,

59
her son's freckles.
The proverb above explains that a child who is born

carries characteristics similar to those of his parents; at least

there is something in common. As the parent kurik says, at
least the child's spots, traditional teachings adhere to the belief

that there is potential or ability that is innate from birth. So a
child is not born as a blank paper without potential, as John

Locke believed with his tabular theory. On the other hand,
Minang custom believes that a child is born with the potential

or innate talent contained within him. As Allah also stated in

the Qur'an Surah Ar-Rum verse 30:

59 Idrus Hakimy, 1000 Proverbs-Petitih Mamang-Bidal Pantun-
Gurindam, (Bandung: Rosdakarya Youth, 1991), 2nd edition cet. 3rd, h. 31,
which means: Kurik (striped color) of the mother, the freckles of the child.