AbstractAccording to Wilhelm Dilthey’s hermeneutic perspective,there are six points in reinterpreting the Minangkabau’s traditional aphorism “Urang sabana urangâ€. First, understanding of Minangkabau’s way of life is a general process, included in an ordinary life which is expressed in the aphorism. Second, theexpression of the aphorism is called “ausdruckâ€, Minangkabau’sexpression of life experiment and historicity. Third, humancharacteristics in Minangkabau’s aphorism consist of: “urang,urang-urang, tampan urang, angkuh-angkuh urang, urangurangan, urang sabana urangâ€. Fourth, “urang sabana urang†is a man who has excellent characteristics. Fifth, the globalization influence and the modern culture have changed Minangkabau’s insight of “urang sabana urang†concept so that it needs a reinterpretation in order to be understood by youth of Minang. Sixth, the epistemological dimension in Minangkabau’s aphorism synthesizes an empirical aspect and rationality. The metaphysical dimension of the aphorism shows a relation between tradition and religion so that it arise the principle of “adat basandi syarak, syarak basandi kitabullahâ€. The axiological dimension in the aphorism is seen as a criterion of values which is an obligation for Minangs to prevent their identity as†urang sabana urangâ€.Keyword: urang sabana urang, adat basandi syarak, syarakbasandi kitabullah, Minangkabau custom aphorism.
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