The Use of Minangkabau Folklore "Cindua Mato" in the Community Movement in Minangkabau and Batavia 1922-1939

Abstract

The Minangkabau epic Cindua Mato embodies values of courage, justice, and resistance against oppression. During the late colonial period, this narrative evolved into a vital medium for galvanizing resistance and fortifying collective consciousness. This study analyzes the utilization of the Cindua Mato narrative between 1922 marking its early institutionalization as a modern fundraising tool and 1939, the final era of cultural mobilization prior to the Pacific War. Employing historical methods with primary sources from the Delpher archives, the research examines how this folklore served as a socio-political instrument in both the Minangkabau highlands and the diaspora in Batavia. The findings reveal a multifaceted application of the narrative: the elite utilized it to legitimize political sovereignty and cultural diplomacy, while the masses embraced it as a tool for inter-ethnic solidarity and nationalistic mobilization. A crucial bridge exists between the epic's "heroism" and functional "social charity" through the principle of gotong royong (mutual cooperation). The narrative’s emphasis on sacrifice was recontextualized by movement organizers as a collective call for humanitarian fundraising and patriotic resistance. By purchasing tickets to these performances, the public was indirectly yet actively involved in supporting indigenous organizations and social welfare. This study underscores the efficacy of folklore as a strategic resource for community mobilization and identity preservation in a colonial context.