Page 163 - BAB I-V ADATMINANG
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even if the teacher is maaja. 107
The proverb above shows that there are certain ways that
are used in dealing with several levels of society, whether
older, equal or smaller, both parents and even teachers.
3. Human equality (Egalitarian)
With takambang's philosophy of nature as a teacher,
Minang custom places humans on the same level. Adat does
not distinguish humans or their communities from ancestry,
social or religious status. This is stated by the adat doctrine:
tagak samo Tinggi, duduak samo randah (Upright as tall,
sitting as low).
Every individual has the same status or position among
fellow members of the community. One group does not have
a higher degree than another. Therefore, in Minang society
there are no layers or classes of society that are higher than the
other, such as the caste that applies in Hinduism. In Hinduism,
community members from the Brahmin caste have a higher
position and have special rights than community members
from other castes below them, and so on down to the lower
"sudra" caste, namely the peasant and manual laborers.
107 Idrus Hakimy, Mustika Series, p. 113, which means: The old are
respected, the young are loved, equally bring friends, parents are prioritized, as
are the teachers who teach.
