Negri Sembilan which literally means "Nine States", refers to the historical confederation of nine districts, originally called "nagari" but now known as "luak". It was settled by Minangkabau from West Sumatra when they migrated to the region in the 15th and 16th centuries, during the era of the Malacca sultanate.
The features of Minangkabau are still visible today in traditional architecture and the dialect of Malay spoken by the people in the state. However, the most important aspect of the Minangkabau assimilation in this country is the unique matrilineal custom known as the Adat Perpatih.
The Adat Perpatih of Negri Sembilan is a cultural and social system which incorporates all aspects of community life from macro matters like political, economic and social, to the micro issues like customs of the ruler’s coronation or installation ceremony, property division method and detailed procedures of marriage.
Although this custom has evolved as a result of external cultural values adopted by the locals in time, the Adat Perpatih is still relevant today in the lives of the state’s royal family.
Unlike the hereditary monarchs of the other royal Malay states in the country, the ruler of Negri Sembilan or Yang di-Pertuan Besar is selected by the ruling chiefs who lead the four biggest districts of Sungai Ujong, Jelebu, Johol and Rembau. Raja Melewar was the first Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan appointed in 1773.
Below is a little insight into the Adat Perpatih in various aspects of Negri Sembilan life.
Election Process
The Yang di-Pertuan Besar is appointed by Undang Yang Empat, also known as the Ruling Chiefs. As stated in the State Constitution, the Yang di-Pertuan Besar has to be a lawful descendant in the male line of Yamtuan Raden.
The Negri Sembilan Constitution states that the order of succession should first be the sons of the previous ruler, followed by the grandsons of the previous ruler, then by the brothers of the previous ruler, and only then by the sons of the brothers of the previous ruler.
Once appointed, the Yang di-Pertuan Besar has to be declared and installed by the Datuk Klana Petra – the title given to the chief of Sungai Ujong district (Undang Luak Sungai Ujong). Among the chiefs from the four territories in the state – Sungai Ujong, Jelebu, Johol and Rembau – the Sungai Ujong chief is the most senior and is also known as the chieftain.
While the Datuk Klana Petra does not have the power to make appointments, but he is the only one with authority to make declarations and installation of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
Sungai Ujong is divided into two clans namely, Waris Di Darat and Waris Di Ayer. The chieftain, who hails from Waris Di Darat, is required to work closely with Datuk Shahbandar, who hails from Waris Di Ayer. The Datuk Shahbandar’s relationship to the chieftain is supposed to be "as close as brothers" and they are required to consult each other on all matters regarding the Perpatih customs.
However, there is only one chieftain and it is the Datuk Klana Petra who holds the post. Meanwhile, the Waris Di Darat clan is divided into two sub-clans, Perut Hulu and Perut Hilir. A representative from each of the two sub-clans take turns to be the Datuk Klana Petra or chieftain of Sungai Ujong.
The election of the Datuk Klana Petra, begins with the anak waris or members of the clan who would decide on a suitable candidate. Upon receiving unanimous support from all members of the clan, the candidate would be reviewed by Ibu-ibu soko, who are the eldest females of the families in the clan.
Once the eldest females have unanimously agreed upon the candidate, the Buapaks would also need to give unanimous support.
The next step in the election process would be to get the endorsement of the Pillar of the Court (Lembaga Sungai Ujong) which is headed by the Datuk Sri Maharaja Di Raja.
In the case that there is a dispute and members of the clan cannot agree on a suitable candidate, the matter would be brought up to the next level (Ibu-ibu soko) to be decided. This continues up the hierarchy ladder until it reaches the level of the Pillar of the Court. It will then be up to the head of the Pillar of the Court to choose a suitable candidate.
Members of the sub-clans are only allowed to elect representatives of their own sub-clans and are not allowed to meddle in the affairs of the other sub-clans. The same rule applies to the bigger clans (Waris Di Darat and Waris Di Ayer) and the territories at large (Jelebu, Johol and Rembau).
Inheritance
The uniqueness of this custom lies in the system of inheritance which is passed from generation to generation through the women. Land is owned by wives and passed on to their daughters while the man of the family deals with matters of property and land, strictly as a duty to his wife and her kin. Thus, in this system, heritage, titles and family names are handed down to the following generations through the females in the family, as opposed to most customs in the world where the family lineage is continued through only the males.
In Sumatra, the Minangkabaus still retain the custom where the man takes his wife’s family name on the consummation of their marriage. Although the men are still responsible for the welfare and heirlooms in the family, the women have full rights to family possessions.
However, this does not in any way signify inequality in gender rights. The Adat Perpatih teaches a democratic system of conduct and thoughts. Both men and women are consulted during occasions to overcome obstacles and to provide solutions. The difference is that women are the heiresses of the family and they have rights to live in the family house or Rumah Gadang.
On the other hand, the men must leave their parents’ house at an early age as it is not proper to stay on and many believe that this is one of the reasons for the early migration by the Minangkabau men from West Sumatra.
Nevertheless, some Muslims stopped practising certain aspects of Adat Perpatih which contradict Islam.
Leisure and entertainment
The Adat Perpatih is rich in culture and tradition, which is reflected in its music, dance and games such as Cak Limpong, Tumbuk Kalang and Dikir Rebana. These have survived generations and are at the core of the people’s lifestyles, especially those in villages and agricultural regions.
Economy
The matrilineal system is strongly rooted in an agrarian society but many men and women look out for employment in the cities. Thus there is a huge possibility that in time to come the Adat Perpatih customs may no longer be practised. It has been reported that many plots of land have been abandoned and the custom’s system of inheritance has become merely symbolic.
As men find work elsewhere, they are no longer dependent on their wives; and in their own homes, they now assert more authority than before.
The Sun Daily
22nd of October, 2009
Election Process
The Negri Sembilan Constitution states that the order of succession should first be the sons of the previous ruler, followed by the grandsons of the previous ruler, then by the brothers of the previous ruler, and only then by the sons of the brothers of the previous ruler.
Once appointed, the Yang di-Pertuan Besar has to be declared and installed by the Datuk Klana Petra – the title given to the chief of Sungai Ujong district (Undang Luak Sungai Ujong). Among the chiefs from the four territories in the state – Sungai Ujong, Jelebu, Johol and Rembau – the Sungai Ujong chief is the most senior and is also known as the chieftain.
While the Datuk Klana Petra does not have the power to make appointments, but he is the only one with authority to make declarations and installation of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar.
Sungai Ujong is divided into two clans namely, Waris Di Darat and Waris Di Ayer. The chieftain, who hails from Waris Di Darat, is required to work closely with Datuk Shahbandar, who hails from Waris Di Ayer. The Datuk Shahbandar’s relationship to the chieftain is supposed to be "as close as brothers" and they are required to consult each other on all matters regarding the Perpatih customs.
However, there is only one chieftain and it is the Datuk Klana Petra who holds the post. Meanwhile, the Waris Di Darat clan is divided into two sub-clans, Perut Hulu and Perut Hilir. A representative from each of the two sub-clans take turns to be the Datuk Klana Petra or chieftain of Sungai Ujong.
Once the eldest females have unanimously agreed upon the candidate, the Buapaks would also need to give unanimous support.
The next step in the election process would be to get the endorsement of the Pillar of the Court (Lembaga Sungai Ujong) which is headed by the Datuk Sri Maharaja Di Raja.
In the case that there is a dispute and members of the clan cannot agree on a suitable candidate, the matter would be brought up to the next level (Ibu-ibu soko) to be decided. This continues up the hierarchy ladder until it reaches the level of the Pillar of the Court. It will then be up to the head of the Pillar of the Court to choose a suitable candidate.
Members of the sub-clans are only allowed to elect representatives of their own sub-clans and are not allowed to meddle in the affairs of the other sub-clans. The same rule applies to the bigger clans (Waris Di Darat and Waris Di Ayer) and the territories at large (Jelebu, Johol and Rembau).
Inheritance
In Sumatra, the Minangkabaus still retain the custom where the man takes his wife’s family name on the consummation of their marriage. Although the men are still responsible for the welfare and heirlooms in the family, the women have full rights to family possessions.
However, this does not in any way signify inequality in gender rights. The Adat Perpatih teaches a democratic system of conduct and thoughts. Both men and women are consulted during occasions to overcome obstacles and to provide solutions. The difference is that women are the heiresses of the family and they have rights to live in the family house or Rumah Gadang.
On the other hand, the men must leave their parents’ house at an early age as it is not proper to stay on and many believe that this is one of the reasons for the early migration by the Minangkabau men from West Sumatra.
Nevertheless, some Muslims stopped practising certain aspects of Adat Perpatih which contradict Islam.
Leisure and entertainment
The Adat Perpatih is rich in culture and tradition, which is reflected in its music, dance and games such as Cak Limpong, Tumbuk Kalang and Dikir Rebana. These have survived generations and are at the core of the people’s lifestyles, especially those in villages and agricultural regions.
Economy
The matrilineal system is strongly rooted in an agrarian society but many men and women look out for employment in the cities. Thus there is a huge possibility that in time to come the Adat Perpatih customs may no longer be practised. It has been reported that many plots of land have been abandoned and the custom’s system of inheritance has become merely symbolic.
As men find work elsewhere, they are no longer dependent on their wives; and in their own homes, they now assert more authority than before.
The Sun Daily
22nd of October, 2009
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