426. Minangkabau Angels (Original) video

This song is loosely based on my experiences in Sumatra, and is meant to be impressionistic rather than about actual events. Minang culture is unusual in the Muslim world in being a matrilineal society, so the women tend to be very powerful. It seems to be a moderate form of Islam, where the emphasis is on resolving conflict through negotiation rather than confrontation. There are obviously cultural inaccuracies in the song and, if I get too much criticism, I might do a rewrite. For example, I had a great time with Karo people (around Berastagi) and no doubt some of that has got mixed in with the very different Minangkabau experience. And, of course, some people I met in West Sumatra would have been immigrants from other parts of Indonesia. Lyrics: Well I wandered from Medan to Berastagi, Where Wisma Sibayak was pleasant to see, Then Bukit Lawang, Samosir and the town of Prapat But the land I loved most was Sumatera Barat. There was Elsasusanty and Sri Julianti, Serena and Mina and Sulyawati. My Minangkabau angels were so good to me. In my dreams I'll come see you in Bukittinggi. You showed me the rice kept in the little rangkiang And the buffalo horn roof of the rumah gadang. You showed me Singgalang and Mount Merapi And the pleasures of wandering Bukittinggi There was Ratna and Yana and Rose and Irana, And Ria and Nia and Kartiningjati. My Minangkabau angels were so good to me. In my dreams I'll come see you in Bukittinggi. We stopped at a warung for nasi padang -- Crispy belut, sayur and rendang. We ate with our fingers the traditional way -- If you do, the food tastes even better, they say. With voices like angels you've danced and you've sung And you taught me to sing "Takana Jo Kampuang." My Minangkabau angels were so good to me. In my dreams I'll come see you in Bukittinggi. We wandered the pathways of Minangkabau land And through the big canyon we walked hand in hand. We carried our shoes, wading over the streams. Oh, Minangkabau angels, I'll see you again in my dreams. You can hear a playlist of my original songs (in alphabetical order) here: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=B9F8E3B7A8822951