Page 6 - BAB I-V ADATMINANG

which every village must have. At the same time this symbol

shows the harmony between the ninik mamak and the alim ulama.
Minangkabau culture has several unique features, firstly, the

matrilineal heredity system, where a person's descendants are

drawn from the mother's side, so that women in Minangkabau
occupy a more respectable place.

Second in the nagari government system which is
characterized by consensus, as stated in the descriptions of bulek

kato dek mufakat and nan rajo kato mufakat, meaning that
consensus is reached after deliberation. Deliberation is a joint

discussion to reach an agreement (consensus), through a process of

hearing, dialogue, submission of criticism, lobbying etc. It can be
said that the main characteristics of Minang culture are freedom of

opinion, freedom to express criticism and the habit of dialogue, this
is as stated in the reading of basilang wood in a stove, baitu api

mangko iduik, meaning that different opinions will produce sharp
thoughts. Therefore, the power of the nagari government lies in the

hands of the people, not in the hands of a king, because the king in

Minangkabau serves as a symbol,
Minangkabau has a government style based on the nagari-

nagari, which is an autonomous region (one level below the sub-

district) which regulates itself with its own program and
government. The government is like a nagari system, which is very