Cultural disaster: A threat to the preservation of Minangkabau culture

¹ Department of Linguistics, Faculty of Humanities, Universitas Andalas, Padang, Indonesia
² Department of History, Faculty of Humanities, Universitas Andalas, Padang, Indonesia
³ Department of Language, Academy of Malay Studies, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia

^* Corresponding author: oktavianus@hum.unand.ac.id

Abstract

Culture is something essential and a marker of the identity of an ethnic group. Therefore, culture must always be part of human life. However, due to various factors, the culture of a tribe is often neglected and which lead to cultural disasters. In this regard, this study examined cultural disaster in Minangkabau. The study used a qualitative and quantitative approach. The respondents were the younger generation of Minangkabau who were studying at university. Discussions with cultural figures, religious leaders, educators, and community leaders were also conducted to know their perspectives on cultural disasters. The study results showed that there has indeed been a shift in Minangkabau cultural values which could lead to a cultural disaster. The lack of instilling cultural values and the ignorance of the collective awareness regarding the importance of knowledge and implementation of cultural values lead to a cultural disaster. The result of the study indicated a potential threat of a cultural disaster in Minangkabau, as indicated by the lack of basic knowledge of the young generation about cultural values in Minangkabau expressions, kinship terms, traditional arts, and culinary. The learning process of Minangkabau cultures can be one of the ways to anticipate the Minangkabau cultural disaster.