Hybridity Between Shi’ite, Sunni and Minangkabau Cultures at the Tabuik Performance in Pariaman, West Sumatra

Abstract

The paper is discussing the process and hibridity within the Tabuik performance in Pariaman, West Sumatra. Elements in Shi’ite, Sunni, and Minangkabau cultures contribute to the form of Tabuik performance. It originally began as a Shi’ite rite meant to commemorate the death of Husain. The current Tabuik performance has shifted from its original form and purpose so that it has now turned into the distinctive performance of Pariaman society. The ritual entered Pariaman culture during the British occupation in Sumatra at the beginning of the nineteenth century and was brought by the British soldiers of the Sipahi ethnicity and of Shi’ite Islam faith. The acceptance and hybridization for the ritual by the Pariaman people have developed for a long time and are sometimes conflicting in terms of teachings, forms (artifacts), performance, and aim of the ritual. The Pariaman society are predominantly Sunni Muslims and culturally Minangkabau; therefore, several parts of the Shi’ite ritual are rejected, corrected, and added with new elements which are more suitable to Sunni teaching. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the incorporation of several elements of Minangkabau culture was very critical in Tabuik performance. Elements of Minangkabau culture (adat, customary tradition) are symbolically represented and include the customary social institution within the Minangkabau society.

Keywords: Tabuik performance, hybridity, Shi’ite, Sunni, and Minangkabau.

DOI: 10.7176/ADS/105-02

Publication date:May 31^st 2023