The Spirituality of Indang Tigo Sandiang Performance and Godliness in the Pariaman Community of Minangkabau

Abstract

This study aims to reveal the spirituality of Indang Tigo Sandiang performance and godliness in the Pariaman community of Minangkabau. Spirituality is living with an awareness that God is always close to us, and it is this awareness that cultivates the impulse for human action. Indang Tigo Sandiang (three sides) is a performing art concept in the art of “Indang” that represents the education system of the surau or langgar, a religious center used for worship and education in Minangkabau which is based on tasawwuf or Sufi teachings. Tigo sandiang here refers to the formulation of a performance that originates from three different surau styles or Indang groups that exist in the Pariaman community and are known as guguih (group). These guguih are: (1) Guguih Kulipah (Khalifah) Husein; (2) Guguih Kulipah (Khalifah) Mak Amuik; and (3) Guguih Kulipah (Khalifah) Tan Karim.All three guguihare known for their predominance of tasawwuf teachings – spirituality; such as knowledge of the body, the ma’ani attributes and the 20 attributes of God. These tasawwuf teachings are mystified in the number 7, with 7 anak indang or indang players; the length of performance lasting 14 nights (2 x 7); and the number of participants being in multiples of 7, up to 21 groups of anak indang.

Keywords: Spirituality, Indang Tigo Sandiang, Godliness, Pariaman

DOI: 10.7176/ADS/83-09

Publication date:July 31^st 2020