The book entitled Cindua Mato relates some of the folklore or stories of the Minangkabau people. It was originally written in the Minangkabau language in Jawi (arabic script). The first printed translation was by JL van der Toorn [Director of the Teachers Training School at Fort van de Koch] entitled "Tjindur Matô". Following that, there were several published translations with a range of different spellings; "Cindurmato", "Tjindoer Mata".
Taufik Abdullah's "Notes on Kaba Tjindua Mato" (c.1970) is the standard English reference for the Cinduo Mato story as well as covering the customs, traditions and politics of Minangkabau society.
Cinduo Mato makes mention of Khadi, Allah, Hadith, Quran and Mecca indicating it was written during the Muslim period from after 1580. Further to this, Cinduo Mato describes the "shared political structure" which came into effect from 1580 (ie. after Sultan Alif-1).
The Epic of Cinduo Mato describes a political structure of rule called Langgam Nan Tujuah (system of seven) made of 3 rulers and 4 ministers.
The Rajo Tigo Selo, "Principle Three Rulers" system was made of :-
Raja Alam - the Maharaja; lord of the realm, which includes territories, military & diplomacy. He resides in the territory of Pagaruyung.
Raja Adat - the lord of customs and traditions which includes administration, law and taxation; the Chancellor. He resides in the territory of Buo.
Raja Ibadat - ruler of worship; the Cardinal. He resides in the territory of Sumpur Kudus (Lintau).
The Basa Ampek Balai, "Council Four Ministers" was originally made of :-
Tuan Bandaro (Putieh) - Lord Treasurer (also titled as Mangkubumi). He resides in Sungai Tarab. He is the head of the Council.
Tuan Indomo - chief advisor, Lord Steward (also titled as Laksamana). He resides in Saruaso.
Tuan Mangkudum - in charge of peace and order, Lord Prefect. He resides in Sumaniak.
Tuan Kadli - the Lord Magistrate. He resides in Padang Gantiang.
4b. {occasionally mentioned} Tuan Gadang - He resides at Butipuah.
Excerpts from Cinduo Mato. I am unable to quote the source as of this transliteration because the original internet-link no longer works.
Danga di-anak bateh-bateh-nyo, nan banamo Minangkabau, sajak di Riak nan Badabua, sampai Sikilang Ayia Bangih, Durian Ditakuak Rajo, taruih ka Siak lndopuro, sampai ka Kurinci Sandaran Aguang taruih ka Kualo Indogiri, sampai ka Siak ka Asahan, itu pagangan anak kanduang.
Dangakan bana di-anak kanduang, adat limbago jadi rajo, barani bakato bana, takuik karano salah, lapang dado bakato-kato, cadiak usah mumbuang kawan, gapuak nan usah mambuang lamak. Jikok kito jadi rajo, di-lahia urang manyambah, di-batin awak manyambah, rajo adia rajo disambah, rajo lalim rajo disanggah.
Satantang susunan pamarentah, mamangku mamaluak alam nangko, rajo banamo tigo urang, Tungku Tigo Sajarangan, bak tali bapilin tigo, itulah Rajo Duo Selo. Partamo rajo Sumpu Kuduih, kaduo rajo Buo, katigo anak kanduang, anak manjadi pucuak bulek, mamacik mangganggam kaputusan.
...manjawab Tuan Kadhi, "Ampun denai Bundo Kanduang, Daulat Tuanku Pagaruyuang, sambahan rakyat Minangkabau, ampun ambo Bandaharo, pasak kungkuang Koto Piliang, puro panuah dalam nagari, nan bagala Tuan Titah, ujuang lidah hamba rakyat...
Kan iyo sa-banta itu, di-cari urang ka-utusan, ka-manjalang Rajo Duo Selo, dapek-lah kato mupakat, iyo pikiran nan saiyo, partamo Mangkudum di Sumaniak, kaduo Indomo di Saruaso, itulah urang nan ka di-utus, iyo ka Buo jo Sumpu Kuduih.
Birawari Datuak Indomo, sa-rato Mangkudum di Sumaniak, Gadang Basa Ampek Balai, lah tibo hari nan di-takuak, bajalan baliau kaduo-nyo, di-racak kudo nan baganto, kudo putiah Balang Kandi, duo jo kudo Kalupak Kuniang.
A few more excerpts from Cinduo Mato which I have translated to give an idea of its socio-political context. Text in Red has not been translated.
Minangkabau language
Malay language
English language
Dangakan bana denai curaikan, denai curai denai papakan, adat limbago dalam nagari, Tambo Adat Minangkabau, sabarih bapantang lupo, satitiak nan tidak hilang, nan tapakai di-alam nangko, sajak salareh Batang Bangkaweh, saedaran Gunuang Marapi, kaduo Gunuang Singgalang katigo Gunuang Talang, sampai ka Gunuang Pasaman, itu di-bawah parentah anak, ganggam taguah pacik arek.
Dengarkan benar denai curaikan, denai curai denai papakan, adat lembaga dalam negari, Tambo Adat Minangkabau, se-baris berpantang lupa, se-titik yang tidak hilang, yang terpakai di-alam nangko, sejak se-laras Batang Bangkaweh, sa-edaran Gunung Marapi, kedua Gunung Singgalang ketiga Gunung Talang, sampai ke Gunung Pasaman, itu di-bawah perintah anak, ganggam teguh pacik arek.
Hear the truth denai curaikan, denai curai denai papakan, tradition borne in this nation, Tambo Adat Minangkabau, lines not forgotten, details not lost, practised in this world, since the stream of River Bangkaweh, first flows to Mount Marapi, second Mount Singgalang third Mount Talang, until at Mount Pasaman, as commanded to a child, ganggam firm pacik arek.
Luhak nan tigo lareh nan duo; nan partamo Luhak Tanah Data, kaduo Luhak Limo-puluah Koto, katigo Luhak Tanah Agam. Luhak di-bari bapangulu, itu nan basa dalam luhak, elok kato di mupakat, elok nagari jo pangulu. Manolah lareh nan duo, partamo Bodi Caniago, kaduo Koto Piliang.
Luak yang tiga laras yang dua; yang pertama Luak Tanah Datar, kedua Luak Lima-Puluh Kota, ketiga Luak Tanah Agam. Luak di-beri berpenghulu, itu yang besar dalam luak, elok kata di muapakat, elok negeri dengan penghulu. Manalah laras yang dua, pertama Bodi Caniago, kedua Koto Piliang.
The three provinces of the two lineages; first Tanah Datar province, second Lima-Puluh Kota province, third Tanah Agam province. The provinces are made chiefdoms, those of greatness in the provinces, well said by consensus, fair land with chiefs. Where at the two lineages, first Bodi Caniago, second Koto Piliang.
Parentah basusun Ampek Balai, mamagang adat nan kawi, tiang gadang dalam nagari. Partamo Bandaharo di Sungai Tarab, pamuncak Koto Piliang; kaduo Mangkudum di Sumaniak, pasak kungkuang Koto Piliang; katigo Tuan Kadhi di Padang Gantiang, suluah bendang Koto Piliang, tahu di-adia hukum syarak; kaampek Indomo di Saruaso, puro panuah Koto Piliang, kunci nan arek biliak nan dalam.
Perintah bersusun Empat Balai, memegang adat yang kawi, tiang gadang dalam negeri. Pertama Bendahara di Sungai Tarab, pemuncak Koto Piliang; kedua Mangkudum di Sumanik, pasak kungkuang Koto Piliang; ketiga Tuan Kadhi di Padang Ganting, suluh bendang Koto Piliang, tahu di-adia hukum syariah; ke-empat Indermah di Saruaso, pura penuh Koto Piliang, kunci yang arek bilik yang dalam.
By order Empat Balai, upholds traditional legacy, central pillar of the nation. First, Bendahara at Sungai Tarab, apex of Koto Piliang; second, Mangkudum at Sumanik, steadfast of Koto Piliang; third, Tuan Kadhi at Padang Ganting, shining light of Koto Piliang, knows the law; fourth, Indermah at Saruaso, sanctum of Koto Piliang, safe & secure.
Alah sudah cando barundiang, turunlah urang ka-laman, bajalan Bandaharo ka Sungai Tarab, Tuan Gadang ka Batipuah, Datuak Indomo ka Saruaso, Mangkudum ka Sumaniak, tinggalah Tuan Kadhi, sa-rato Daulat Bundo Kanduang.
Alah sudah cando berunding, turunlah orang ka-laman, berjalan Bendahara ka Sungai Tarab, Tuan Gadang ka Batipuh, Datuk Indermah ka Saruaso, Mangkudum ka Sumanik, tinggal-lah Tuan Kadhi, se-rata Daulat Bonda Kandungan.
Having finished negotiations, they moved to the grounds, off walked Bendahara to Sungai Tarab, Tuan Gadang to Batipuh, Datuk Indermah to Saruaso, Mangkudum to Sumanik, remaining Tuan Kadhi, altogether Hail Bonda Kandungan (Matriarch).