Deputy Governor Audy Joinaldy Calls Puan Maharani Anggun Wearing Bundo Kanduang Clothing: Minang People Are Proud

Deputy Governor of West Sumatra Audy Joinaldy (Photo: Audy's Personal DOK)

JAKARTA - Deputy Governor of West Sumatra (West Sumatra Deputy Governor) Audy Joinaldy said the Minangkabau people were proud because the Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, wore the traditional Bundo Kanduang dress, from Lintau, Tanah Datar, West Sumatra.

"You look very elegant, Mrs. Puan is wearing this dress," said the Deputy Governor of West Sumatra, Audy Joinaldy, via voice message, Tuesday, August 17.

Puan Maharani wears the Bundo Kanduang dress while attending the Commemoration Ceremony of the Proclamation of Independence of the 76th Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia, at the Merdeka Palace, Tuesday, August 17. In that event, the grandson of the proclaimer Bung Karno was asked to read the text of the Proclamation.

Audy expressed her pride in Puan's choice to wear the Minang traditional dress. Moreover, Minangkabau know the lineage of women (matriarchy), in which Puan's grandmother from her father, Taufiq Kiemas, is a native of Tanah Datar, West Sumatra.

“We think it was his own choice to wear Minangkabau clothes. Of course, we are proud, because Minangkabau is a matriarchal, descended from women. Because Mr. Taufiq Kiemas' mother is Minang, it means that Mrs. Puan is of Minangkabau descent," he said.

The Deputy Governor of West Sumatra also believes that the Minang people also feel the same pride because their traditional clothes are worn by national figures at big state events.

“So we see that we are also proud as Minangkabau people. That the people of West Sumatra saw the chairman of the DPR RI wearing Minangkau clothes in a very big ceremony, the ceremony for the Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia," continued Audy.

At the ceremony for the proclamation of independence at the Merdeka Palace, Puan wore the Bundo Kanduang dress with shades of beige, red and gold. Traditional clothing, which is also known as the Limpapeh Rumah Nan Gadang, is a dress commonly worn by Minang women in Minangkabau, West Sumatra.

Usually, this traditional dress is worn by a woman who has grown or is married. Bundo Kanduang clothing is equipped with Tingkuluak Balenggek, a headgear from Lintau, Tanah Datar.

By Minang women, Bundo Kanduang clothing is usually worn at traditional events such as weddings, appointment of datuak, and others. The meaning of this dress is a symbol of the importance of the role of a mother in a family.

"This independent country must not only be politically sovereign and economically independent, but also have a personality in its culture," said Puan previously quoting Trisakti Bung Karno.