Behind the Minangkabau Inheritance System: Ilham's Story of Not Receiving Land but Still Preserving Family Heirlooms

AGAM, KOMPAS.com - The customary Minangkabau inheritance system, which follows matrilineal descent, often positions women as the primary heirs. However, this does not entirely sideline men, as they retain rights to utilise and play roles in safeguarding family heirlooms. The experience of Ilham (40), a resident of Agam in West Sumatra, illustrates how this system operates. He is the eldest of five siblings, with three younger sisters and one youngest brother. After both his parents passed away—his mother first, followed by his father several years later—the family began discussing the division of inheritance. Ilham’s parents left behind land, rice fields, orchards (palm, coconut, banana, durian, rambutan), a Rumah Tuo (traditional house), a motorbike, and cash. “The inheritance of land, rice fields, and orchards was handed over to my three younger sisters,” said Ilham, when met some time ago. However, these assets are not personal property. They all remain as hereditary family heirlooms that cannot be sold, only managed for collective interests. The inheritance division process did not happen quickly. The mamak (maternal uncle) led the deliberations, which lasted more than six months. “The division was assisted by the mamak; the process was quite lengthy,” Ilham stated. In those deliberations, some assets were not divided as ownership but only for management. The only item divided equally was the cash, which was given to Ilham’s nieces and nephews or children. “I received Rp 5 million, as did my siblings,” said Ilham. The motorbike left by his father also did not become ownership but rather a right of use. Ilham, who lives in the village, uses it for daily activities. Meanwhile, his youngest brother, who has migrated, did not receive physical assets but gets a share of the harvest from the orchards and rice fields, distributed periodically. One asset that was not divided is the Rumah Tuo, the family home that serves as a gathering place during Eid or customary events. “The Rumah Tuo was not given to anyone. It’s the place we return to,” Ilham said. In Minangkabau custom, such houses symbolise clan identity and cannot be sold. “It’s under the guardianship rights in the name of the women, but it’s family property that cannot be sold,” Ilham explained. Nevertheless, the proceeds from management are still enjoyed collectively. Ilham and his siblings can still take shares from the harvest based on family deliberations. Even though he did not receive physical assets, Ilham considers himself to still have an important role.