Kaum As Social Capital Environment in Empowering Minangkabau Communities

Abstract

Empowerment is the process of creating community independence through the management of various capital, especially social capital in the community itself (self-help). Some research shows that development in Minangkabau is considered successful in the physical field. However, behind the success of physical development has an impact on erosion of socio-cultural that inherent on the Minangkabau community. This article analyzes the various forms of social capital found in Kaum as the local community of the Minangkabau people in the perspective of social capital; trust, norms, and network. The multicase study is used in the epistemological proof step by involving five (5) Kaum as the locus of study. The findings in this study conclude that; First, in the perspective of trust people have a high level of awareness so that the power to be with one another and help become more dominant. Secondly, customary and Islamic norms are deeply institutionalized in the Kaum so that social control and safety networks are more effective. The three, networks in the Kaum are permanent as the basis for laying out various interests of empowerment.