THE TOWN HISTORY OF BUKITTINGGI

From the historical perspective on the dwelling place of the original Minangkabau society, Bukittinggi Town started from an original settlement area ( known as Koto Jolang, original development center ) located in Jorong tigo Baleh. This area constituted the original area which then turned out to be a new area which was pioneered by a number of pioneers originating from Pariangan, Padang Panjang which was then developed to become “ Nagari”, namely Nagari Kurai, at the next stage a space structure was created made up of fife ‘ Jorong ‘, referring to anumber of space elements which became the pioneering village which could be developed to become a ‘ nagari ‘, as residential area, mosque, ceremonial hall and market place. These elements in their further development contributed indirectly to setting up Kurai Limo Jorong Nagari Space, in which each ‘jorong’ if we look at it from its socio-cultural developments could be equated with ‘nagari’ in other areas outside of Bukittinggi.

Despite the fact that Bukittinggi at present has turned out to be an urban estate but the Bukittinggi’s people’s culture is still upheld tightly which can be seen from their day-to-day life in which the main principle of Minangkabau’ people “ Adat Basandi Syara’, Syara’ basandi kitabullah stands out a great deal. The relationship between the culture and religion can also be seen from the phrase : “Syara’ Mangato adaik Mamakai”.

The above mentioned description is seen from the many and colourfull activities reeking of religious touch and having deeply-rooted in the from of cultural activity such as Koran’s completion and celebration of Islamic festive days. Now that there is a movement calling for people to return to nagari then the socio-cultural life of the people based on religion will increasingly be strengthened.

During the independence struggle era Bukittinggi played a vital role as the struggling town. From December 1948 up to June 1949 Bukittinggi was nominated as the Capitalo of The Republic of Indonesia after Yogyakarta fell in the Hands of the Dutch colonial government. Further in the government regulation substituting the Act No. 4 Year 1950 Bukittinggi was designated as the capital of the Central Sumatera Province covering residences of West Sumatera, Jambi and Riau.