Minangkabau Collective’s Riddles: Format and Social Function

Abstract

This article examines the text of the riddles as a form of Minangkabau collective oral tradition in West Sumatra, Indonesia. This article is focused on the study of the structure (format) of the riddles text and its social function for the supporting community. This research is a qualitative research. Based on tracing the motifs and social function formats in riddles collected from the Minangkabau community in West Sumatra, data on social formats and functions were obtained. Data was also collected through interviews with informants to obtain information about social functions. The results showed that the Minangkabau riddles consisted of descriptive elements (questions) and answers, both contradictory and non-conflicting. Minangkabau riddles text has a function as entertainment and a test of social intelligence. Oral tradition texts (traditional questions) of Minangkabau collective riddles also function as social projections as intangible cultural heritage; as a means to create legal social institutions and institutions; as a means to sharpen intelligence, and improve social relations.