"~ anak odeng-odeng ~" a Seremban Travel Page by sha_stallion

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a monument by Seremban's State Library

Seremban was our starting point in Negeri Sembilan to trek northwards back into Selangor. Negeri Sembilan’s capital is 64km (39 miles) south of Kuala Lumpur. Journey time from Kuala Lumpur by car is about 30 minutes. Negeri Sembilan is an area unlike any other in Malaysia, with distinctive architecture and customs derived from a matrilineal kinship system. Seremban, the capital of Negeri Sembilan, is the centre of the Malaysian Minangkabau area, which is closely related to the Minangkabau area of Sumatra.

the uniqueness that's Negeri Sembilan

Negeri Sembilan is the only Malaysian state that still practices the custom of Adat Perpatih since the 14th century.

The name 'Adat Perpatih' is derived from Datuk Parapatieh Nan Sebatang, a nickname used by Sutan Balun. Adat Perpatih was introduced in Negeri Sembilan subsequent to the migration of the Minangkabau in the 14th century. It is the local variation of the motherland's. The custom is practised by twelve clans (the biggest family unit) which are Biduanda, Batu Hampar, Paya Kumboh, Mungkal, Tiga Nenek, Sri Melenggang, Sri Lemak, Batu belah, Tanah Datar, Anak Melaka, Anak Acheh and Tiga Batu. The principle feature of Adat Perpatih is the matrilineal system in which the nucleus of the society is the female and her female offsprings. Membership of clan is for life.

Adat Perpatih has its own unique rules regarding the matrimonial ceremony, divorce and inheritance. For example, a man is prohibited from marrying a woman of his clan, while marriage between maternal first cousin are also prohibited. Meanwhile, meticulous phases of matrimonial ceremony is to be observed starting from merisik, meminang, hari solek and menyalang.

Wealth in Adat Perpatih is divided into four; harta pembawaan (wealth owned by the wife before marriage), harta dapatan (wealth owned by the wife after marriage), harta carian (wealth gained by the couple after marriage) and harta pesaka (inherited wealth). This rules may appear strict but the philosophy that lies behind it is noble and just. It is this rule that makes Adat Perpatih distinct from other systems.

~ the lyrics featured here is from the song 'Anak Odeng' from the 1962 Malay film 'Badang' ~

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'rumah contoh Minang'

Enough speaking, Seremban's Minang roots still remain in its motherland, West Sumatra. My attempt to summarise West Sumatra in the Sepanjang Jalan Kenangan travelogue, routing through:
~ Padang,
~ Bukittinggi,
~ Batusangkar,
~ Padangpanjang,
~ Danau Singkarak and
~ Payakumbuh.