Tabuik ceremony of West Sumatra
The term ‘tabuik’ comes from Arabic ‘tabut’, which means cortege. Tabuik has been the tradition of people of West Sumatra, and holds in Asyura (10th of Month Muharram in Islamic calendar). According to local society, it is said that Tabuik is brough by Syiah of Middle East. It is actually the symbol of condolence and respect of Muslims of Pariaman Sumatra, towards Prophet Muhammad grandson ( Hussain, which was died during Karbala War).
The uniqueness of the ceremony, now has made Tabuik made as annual event, and considered as one of tourism agenda in Pariaman, Sumatra.
In addition to be used as the name of the ceremony, Tabuik is also the name of a certain figure. Tabuik is made of bamboo and wood, and shaped as horse with human head, sturdy and have wings. In Islam, this creature is called Buraq. A vertical trunk in 15m height is built on the Buraq. Tabuik then completed with some accessories which is dominated in color red.
Two weeks before the ceremony, many kinds of preparation has been executed by the Pariaman, like fasting, and making various kinds of traditional cakes.
Tabuik is a colosal ceremony. When the time comes, all the society are gathering in city square. People make lines along the city street sides.
Tabuik then will be lifted, commonly contains 40 men to lift it. Group of people in traditional custom followed behind Tabuik and bring percussion.
Along the cortege, all the participants will venerate ‘Hayya Hussain … Hayya Hussain‘, as symbol of respect towards Prophet Muhammad grandson. Sometimes, the percussion players stop for a while and showing Minang’s martial art.
The cortege ends in dawn. Both Tabuik are brougt to beach, then sink to ocean. It is believed that bad luck will have been gone during the sinking. The moment is also believed as symbol of Buraq flies to the sky, and bring all the veneration along.
