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.
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