The Minangkabau ethnic group; also known as Minang (Urang Minang in Minangkabau language); is indigenous to the Minangkabau Highlands of West Sumatra; in Indonesia. Their culture is matrilineal and patriarchal; with property and land passing down from mother to daughter; while religious and political affairs are the responsibility of men. This custom is called Adat perpatih in Malaysia and Lareh Bodi Caniago in Indonesia.

Today 4 million Minangs live in West Sumatra; while about 4 million more are scattered throughout many Indonesian and Malay peninsular cities and towns.

The Minangkabau are strongly Islamic; but also follow their ethnic traditions; or adat. The Minangkabau adat was derived from animist and Hindu-Buddhist beliefs before the arrival of Islam; and remnants of animist beliefs still exist even among some practicing Muslims. Pictures From History