BUNDO KANDUANG'S CRITIQUE OF CULTURE-BASED POLYGAMY IN MINANGKABAU

Abstract

Polygamy is a marital practice in which a man has more than one woman as his wife. In Minangkabau, husbands practicing polygamy based on Minangkabau culture and Islamic law have been massively practiced since the early twentieth century. Therefore, cultural and religious-based polygamy is practiced by Bundo Kanduang in Minangkabau. This article discusses the role of Bundo Kanduang in answering the practice of polygamy that has been massively practiced by Minangkabau men. The discussion includes the extent of adat integration carried out by Bundo Kanduang who plays the central role in matrilineal culture. As well as analyzing the Bundo Kanduang and Minangkabau figures criticizing the massive practice of polygamy in Minangkabau due to disappointment has degraded the matrilineal culture. Data collected through Bundo Kanduang norms, cultural maps, and religious interpretations will be analyzed comprehensively. This article argues that Bundo Kanduang essentially has integrity from rumah gadang to nagari adat deliberation (being the power that rests). Unfortunately, according to Bundo Kanduang, the practice of polygamy has been reduced from adat-religious values to a deviant practice, and always justified in culture. Bundo Kanduang attempts to criticize the culturally-based practice of polygamy that is justified by most Minangkabau people. The movement to reject this can be seen when Bundo Kanduang voiced the right to receive education and leave the rumah gadang to the diaspora to rantau areas, which is a real taboo in Minangkabau culture. However, Bundo Kanduang’s efforts still brought matrilineal ideology into her conscience.