for Minangkabau angels

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.

This song special 4 my imagine angel "Fitri Sadri"
quoted from Rijal

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 Wista and Rika,
Sardia and my lovely Fitri Sadri (where are U????).
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 Wista and sardia. and specially for "Fitri Sadri"
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.