Good Days and Bad Days Based on Astrological Calculations in the Malay-Minangkabau Palangkahan Manuscript Sastri Sunarti1- M. Yunis2- Ninawati Syahrul3- Atisah4- Harits Fadlly5
Pusat Riset Manuskrip, Literatur, dan Tradisi Lisan, BRIN
Fakultas Ilmu Budaya Univeristas Andalas Padang
Abstract
The tradition of determining auspicious and inauspicious days for activities in Malay-Minangkabau society is well-recognised. This knowledge is known as Palangkahan, the science of calculating days based on astronomical principles (Falak). This knowledge is preserved in ancient manuscripts written in the Malay-Minangkabau Arabic script and still in use in Minangkabau, West Sumatra. This article explains techniques for calculating auspicious days for activities based on astronomical calculations in Minangkabau Palangkahan manuscripts. Data were obtained through a literature review and close reading of the Minangkabau manuscript collection. Through a philological and semiotic analysis of the manuscripts, three time symbols (kutiko) were identified: Kutiko Air and Kutiko Hilang, the latter used to determine when an item is lost or stolen. Palangkahan Lima determines the best time for trade, sailing, catching thieves, and starting wars. Gala Salapan guides matchmaking, marriages, selecting a leader (Batagak Penghulu), trade, determining trading locations, building houses, farming, warfare, sailing, finding lost items, and other activities. Seven star names are used to calculate days: Qamarun/Qamar, Katibun, Dzuhriyun/Zahro, Syamsun/Syam, Marijun/Marikh, and Musytarun/Musyitary. Additionally, paired animal symbols, such as tigers and goats, cats and mice (indicators of bad days), fish and water, and eagles and wood (indicators of good days), are also used. This research indicates that the traditional Malay Minangkabau community^s ethno-astronomical knowledge remains alive and thriving within its community.
Keywords: Good Days and Bad Days, The Palangkahan Manuscript, Minangkabau Malay, Ethno-Astronomy
