Biblical Studies
This is the biblical studies section. In this section, I will put an essay relating to Indonesian Independence Day which is at 17th August. I have made an essay about the beliefs at Minangkabau, or could be said as Padang now.Padang is located at Sumatra.
Beliefs and Tradition of Sumatra in the Past.
I focused my essay on a village called Minangkabau, or could be called Padang now. The Minangkabau era approximately began around the 13th to 15th century. According to myth, it is said that the first Minangkabau, named Maharaja Diraja came from a volcano with his followers. Then their descendants came from the crater. After the village itself was constructed, they had a king named Iskandar Zulkanain who is believed to be the son of Alexander the Great.
Minangkabau has couple traditions that are anomalous. They have a belief system called animism. In this system, they belief that humans have 2 souls. One soul is the true soul and the other soul is a soul that could vanish called semangat. Semangat is also found at plants and animals. If villagers get ill, it is said that their semangat is possessed by demons. A shaman would then enter the cottage and comfort the family.
The Minangkabau have a tradition of sacrificial offerings to please the spirits. They utilize amulets and necklaces for protection. They have a countless celebration which are Turun Mandi which means baby ceremony, Sunat Rasul which means circumcision ceremony, Baralek which means wedding ceremony, Batagak Pangulu which means celebrating the new clan leader, Tanah Ta Sirah which means finding a new clan leader after the previous leader died for a couple of hours, these are the main celebrations/ festivals that Mingkabau carry out. But the Minangkabau executes some abnormal festivals too such as Maanta Pabukoan which means sending food to mother-in law at Ramadhan.
The Minangkabau practices prayers for their believe in faith is Allah is strong. They also visit mosques and even until now they still do and other Islamic. At Ramadhan, they practice fasting to honor their God. How their beliefs apply to their life is that they have to apply sacrificial offerings up until now.
Bibliography:
· Indonesia Minangkabau, The Library of Congress Country Studies, 30/7/10 ,http://www.photius.com/countries/indonesia/society/indonesia_society_minangkabau.html
· Minangkabau – History and Cultural Relations, 29/7/10,
http://www.everyculture.com/East-Southeast-Asia/Minangkabau-History-and-Cultural-Relations.html
· The History of Minangkabau, Government of Sumatra, 4/8/10,
http://www.west-sumatra.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15&Itemid=200
By: Aditya Wikara
Reflection:
This was the first essay I made as soon as I returned to school. Since Indonesian Day was near, we made an essay about an assign province. Mine was Sumatra. If you have read my essay, the essay is all about Minangkabau, Padang which is a city at Sumatra. I could improve this work by making it more descriptive and more detailed. This was the first hard assessment from Pak Agung, I did my best about the beliefs of Minangkabau and I think I did great.
Beliefs and Tradition of Sumatra in the Past.
I focused my essay on a village called Minangkabau, or could be called Padang now. The Minangkabau era approximately began around the 13th to 15th century. According to myth, it is said that the first Minangkabau, named Maharaja Diraja came from a volcano with his followers. Then their descendants came from the crater. After the village itself was constructed, they had a king named Iskandar Zulkanain who is believed to be the son of Alexander the Great.
Minangkabau has couple traditions that are anomalous. They have a belief system called animism. In this system, they belief that humans have 2 souls. One soul is the true soul and the other soul is a soul that could vanish called semangat. Semangat is also found at plants and animals. If villagers get ill, it is said that their semangat is possessed by demons. A shaman would then enter the cottage and comfort the family.
The Minangkabau have a tradition of sacrificial offerings to please the spirits. They utilize amulets and necklaces for protection. They have a countless celebration which are Turun Mandi which means baby ceremony, Sunat Rasul which means circumcision ceremony, Baralek which means wedding ceremony, Batagak Pangulu which means celebrating the new clan leader, Tanah Ta Sirah which means finding a new clan leader after the previous leader died for a couple of hours, these are the main celebrations/ festivals that Mingkabau carry out. But the Minangkabau executes some abnormal festivals too such as Maanta Pabukoan which means sending food to mother-in law at Ramadhan.
The Minangkabau practices prayers for their believe in faith is Allah is strong. They also visit mosques and even until now they still do and other Islamic. At Ramadhan, they practice fasting to honor their God. How their beliefs apply to their life is that they have to apply sacrificial offerings up until now.
Bibliography:
· Indonesia Minangkabau, The Library of Congress Country Studies, 30/7/10 ,http://www.photius.com/countries/indonesia/society/indonesia_society_minangkabau.html
· Minangkabau – History and Cultural Relations, 29/7/10,
http://www.everyculture.com/East-Southeast-Asia/Minangkabau-History-and-Cultural-Relations.html
· The History of Minangkabau, Government of Sumatra, 4/8/10,
http://www.west-sumatra.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15&Itemid=200
By: Aditya Wikara
Reflection:
This was the first essay I made as soon as I returned to school. Since Indonesian Day was near, we made an essay about an assign province. Mine was Sumatra. If you have read my essay, the essay is all about Minangkabau, Padang which is a city at Sumatra. I could improve this work by making it more descriptive and more detailed. This was the first hard assessment from Pak Agung, I did my best about the beliefs of Minangkabau and I think I did great.