Theater and Martial Arts in West Sumatra : Randai and Silek of the Minangkabau

"Randai," the popular folk theater tradition of the Minangkabau ethnic group in West Sumatra, has evolved to include influences of martial arts, storytelling, and folk songs. Theater and Martial Arts in West Sumatra describes the origin, development, and cultural background of "randai" and highlights two recent developments: the emergence of female performers and modern staging techniques.This book also explores the indigenous martial arts form "silek," a vital part of "randai" today. The strong presence of "silek" is illustrated in the martial focus of the stories that are told through "randai," in its movement repertoire, and even in its costumes and musical accompaniment. As Kirstin Pauka shows, "randai," firmly rooted in "silek" and Minangkabau tradition, is an intriguing mirror of the Minangkabau culture.