Traditional Cultural History of Padang

In general the art of dance from West Sumatra is the traditional ethnic culture and ethnic Minangkabau, Mentawai. Minangkabau dance distinctiveness is generally influenced by the religion of Islam, the unique customs and habits wander matrilineal society also gave a big influence in the soul of a dance tradition that is classic, including Pasambahan Dance, Dance Plate, Dance Dance Umbrella and Indang. Meanwhile there is also a performance typical Minangkabau ethnic others form a unique blend of martial arts called Silek with dancing, singing and acting (acting), known by the name of Randai.
As for the typical dance called the Mentawai ethnic Turuk Laggai. Langai Turuk dance is commonly talked about animal behavior, so the title was adapted to animal names, such as bird dance, dance monkey, chicken dance, snake dance and so forth.
Basa Istano in Pagaruyung built with architecture typical MinangThe main article for this section are: House Tower and Uma

West Sumatra particularly traditional house of Minangkabau ethnic called House Tower. Tower Houses are usually built on a plot of land owned by parent families in the tribe / people are hereditary. And not far from the complex gadang house is usually also built a mosque that serves as a place of worship and residence of the adult male but not yet married.
Tower house is made of a rectangular and divided into two front and rear portion, usually made from wood, and a cursory look like a house-shaped stage with a distinctive roof, protruding like buffalo horns, the local community and was formerly called gonjong this roof made of palm fiber before switching with tin roofs. This Bagonjong house inspired by the local community of the legend, which recounts the arrival of their ancestors by boat from the sea. Another distinctive feature of this traditional house is not wearing metal spikes but the use of wooden pegs, yet strong enough as a binder.
While ethnic Mentawai also has a traditional house-shaped house with a big stage height from ground floor to reach a meter called the uma. Uma is inhabited by jointly by five to ten families. In general, uma construction is built without using nails, but pivoted to the timber and notched cross-connection system.