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community to the cosmos or nature, so that the word nature is
enshrined in the name of their country. This means that nature has
a place as a virtue and something very important. The word
"nature" which is given in front of the name of the country comes
from the natural philosophy adopted by its people. According to
Navis that: "Their philosophy comes from the teachings of nature,
as they usually say, Alam takambang becomes a teacher (nature
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develops into a teacher)".
The philosophy of the Minang people called the takambang
realm to become a teacher (nature develops to become a teacher)
is the basis of thought in life and a source of law for the
community. Besides, in the traditional petitih proverb it is stated as
follows:
Panakiak sirauik knife,
ambiak pole lintabuang rod,
silodang ambiak kaniru,
nan satitiak make a side dish,
who knows how to make mountains,
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nature takambang to be a teacher.
27 AA Navis (ed.), The flow of culture in the behavior of political
movements in Minangkabau, in the Minangkabau Dialectic in the Social and
Political Crisis, (Padang: Genta Singgalang Press, 1983), p. 69
28 Idrus Hakimy Dt. Rajo Penghulu, Basandi Syarak Traditional
Mustika Series in Minangkabau, (Bandung: Rosda Karya Youth, 1988), 2nd
Edition, Cet. 2nd, h. 2, which means: Climb the blade of the siraut, take the