Life is different in the world's largest matriarchal society

The Minangkabau community is the world's largest matriarchal society with a population of about 4 million people living in Indonesia's West Sumatra province, where wealth inheritance is reserved for girls.

To experience the life of the Minangkabau community, Washington Post photographer Yoppy Pieter has lived 7 weeks in a village of West Sumatra province in the warm welcome of the local people.Like many other communities, the identity of Minangkabau people is at risk of disappearance because of urbanization.

During the period from 2013 to 2015, Pieter visited Sumpu village many times, the home of a group of Minangkabau people.Welcoming as he returned home, Pieter had the opportunity to experience life in the world's largest matriarchal society and enjoy their special dishes.For Minangkabau people, the golden crown is a symbol of wealth that brides need when returning home.

The brothers Ridzki and Fira bathed together in Singkarak Lake.As a daughter, Fira will inherit her parents' possessions, including houses, gardens and jewelry.It clearly reflects the role of women in Minangkabau people's society, which is in stark contrast to neighboring communities.The boy Ridzki didn't feel sad about it but planned to grow up, he would spread everywhere before returning to the village and building it richer.

The house of Minangkabau people with awnings curved like horns of a buffalo.It shows the attachment of this community to agriculture that water buffalo is the most obvious symbol.

However, the traditional houses of Minangkabau people are not much.In the past, the village of Sumpu had 200 traditional houses but now less than 40 houses.Modern roofs replace them as the influence of outside society on the world's largest matriarchal community.

Local men perform Silat, a traditional martial art of Minangkabau people.When they reached adulthood, Minangkabau men were encouraged to go out to experience the world, work and accumulate knowledge to build their homeland.However, many young people choose to leave forever.

A priest performed traditional rituals.The futuristic life in poor villages like Sumpu causes many young people not to return.

Fishing man on Singkarak lake.Lake is a source of food for the people of Sumpu village.

Lonely Asnah is alone in the house with the cat.Her son came to the city to look for a career.Her house is in danger, but Asnah cannot reinforce or find a new place.The fact that young men leave the village does not return to leave many consequences for the matrilineal Minangkabau community.