Social Values and Cultural Transformation in The Malamang Tradition of The Minangkabau People

Abstract

This study aims to examine how the malamang tradition in Minangkabau society continues to preserve its social values despite undergoing cultural shifts in response to contemporary social changes. The study is motivated by the impacts of modernization, changing lifestyles, and cultural commodification, which risk transforming malamang from a collective tradition rich in social and religious values into a merely ceremonial or economically oriented activity. The originality of this research lies in its integration of social value and cultural transformation perspectives, positioning malamang as a living tradition that is capable of adapting to changing circumstances without losing its social functions or its role as a marker of Minangkabau cultural identity. This study employs a qualitative approach using a descriptive-analytical method, incorporating literature review, field observations, and in-depth interviews with traditional leaders and practitioners of the tradition. The findings indicate that although changes have occurred in the methods of implementation, the media employed, and the contexts in which the tradition is performed, malamang continues to function as a medium for strengthening mutual cooperation, reinforcing social solidarity, maintaining social ties, and transmitting cultural values across generations. This study contributes to the advancement of local cultural studies and provides a conceptual foundation for community-based strategies to preserve traditional practices amid ongoing social change.