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West Sumatra Day celebrations

5 October 2005

A group of West Sumatran Government officials last week gave a cultural performance at Monash on behalf of their provincial government.

West Sumatran Government officials perform a regional dance.

The revue was performed on West Sumatra Day at Monash's Clayton campus to an audience of almost 80 staff and students.

The performance included regional dances, traditional music and presentations highlighting the culture and scenery of West Sumatra.

Located in Indonesia, the province of West Sumatra is home to the Minangkabau people, one of Indonesia's most interesting and influential ethnic groups.

The government officials, from the West Sumatran capital of Padang, are the second group to visit Monash this year. They have been completing a training program in public administration and English language.

Monash International's Study Groups manager Mr James Brown, who conducted the training course for the West Sumatran Government, said the performance was enjoyed as a colourful celebration of traditional Minangkabau culture.

The training program is funded by the West Sumatran Government and organised by Monash International's Study Groups.

The performance was attended by the vice-governor of the province of West Sumatra, Professor Marlis Rahman, and the consul-general of the Republic of Indonesia, Mr Wahid Supriadi.

Traditional West Sumatran costumes include pointed hats, symbolic of the horns of the water buffalo, significant in the Minangkabau culture.