A Minangkabau Tale
Story Introduction:
As descendant of the Minangkabau race (well, some parts of it now anyway), I proudly present you this history which has been passed on from generation to generation...
Chapter 1:
Sumatera by Light
Chapter Description:
Once upon a time, the Majapahit empire had conquered all kingdoms in Indonesia except one. This was Sumatera, which was inhabited by a... (see chapter for full description)
Chapter 2:
Of Songket & Songkok by Light
Chapter Description:
songket = woven cloth songkok = men's hat
Chapter 3:
Invasion Plan by Light
Chapter Description:
Seeing the Sumatran kingdom available for invasion, the Javanese prince from Majapahit decided to take over the kingdom.
Chapter 4:
The Negotiator by Light
Chapter Description:
But the local people didn't like the idea of going to battle with a damn powerful empire (they're not that stupid), and so they sent... (see chapter for full description)
Chapter 6:
Women... by Light
Chapter Description:
It was said that a happy Minangkabau man was usually content having a wife who could fetch her own firewood and on the way manage to... (see chapter for full description)
Chapter 7:
Buffalo Match by Light
Chapter Description:
The Elder thought hard for a while. "Let's see... we take pride in our intelligence because we are extremely intelligent and... (see chapter for full description)
Chapter 9:
Killer Buffalo by Light
Chapter Description:
To avoid battle, the locals proposed a fight to death between two water buffaloes to settle the dispute. The Javanese agreed and... (see chapter for full description)
Chapter 10:
Poor Baby Buffalo by Light
Chapter Description:
The Sumatran people, meanwhile, made preparations by locking up a hungry baby buffalo in the stable for weeks without any access to... (see chapter for full description)
Chapter 11:
Sharp Baby Horns by Light
Chapter Description:
They sharpened the baby buffalo's small horns until they were as sharp as knives. * Another version of this tale says that the... (see chapter for full description)
Chapter 12:
Festival by Light
Chapter Description:
On the day of the buffalo match... what, the tickets only cost 5 cents?!
Chapter 13:
Sad Skinny Saviour by Light
Chapter Description:
As soon as the Sumatrans revealed their secret weapon, the Javanese were surprised and began to laugh at the sight of such sad, skinny... (see chapter for full description)
Chapter 14:
You're No Match For Me, Boy! by Light
Chapter Description:
Seeing the Javanese's adult buffalo across the field, the famished baby buffalo approached forward, hoping for milk. The big buffalo... (see chapter for full description)
Chapter 15:
K.O! by Light
Chapter Description:
When the baby buffalo thrust his head under the big buffalo's belly, looking for an udder, the sharpened horns punctured and killed... (see chapter for full description)
Chapter 17:
Row, Row Your Boat... by Light
Chapter Description:
The Sumatrans won the match. The Javanese prince kept his word and left the kingdom in humiliation, puzzled over the wit of the local... (see chapter for full description)
Chapter 18:
Minangkabau by Light
Chapter Description:
The word "Minangkabau" is derived from the term menang, which means victory and kabau refers to the buffalo, kerbau. That's... (see chapter for full description)