'Berkodim, An Initiation for Outsider to Become Clan Member in Adat Perpatih

SEREMBAN (Negeri Sembilan), June 5 (Bernama) -- 'Berkodim' or ‘initiated into a clan’, practised in the Adat Perpatih community is an initiation process for an outsider ‘to become a member of a ‘suku’ or clan. In Malaysia's state of Negeri Sembilan, there are 12 main ‘suku’ or clans namely Biduanda, Batu Hampar, Seri Melenggang, Tanah Datar, Seri Lemak, Mungkal, Tiga Nenek, Paya Kumbuh, Anak Melaka, Anak Acheh, Batu Belang and Tiga Batu. In Adat Perpatih, a unique matrilineal custom, members of the clan follow the mother's ‘suku’. For an outsider who wishes to become a member of a clan or ‘suku’, he or she must be ‘adopted’ by one of the 12 clans and this initiation process is called ‘masuk suku’ or ‘initiated into a clan.’ For the Adat Perpatih community, the initiation process is better known as ‘berkodim’ which means family or kinship, or to establish family ties. The new bond forged between an outsider with the adoptive family is not limited to immediate family members, the ties also covered the entire clan or ‘suku’. Negeri Sembilan Museum Board (LMNS) customary expert Khalid Bonget, 77, said ‘berkodim’ also acted as ‘declaration of kinship’ that would be followed by two customary steps, namely ‘Aur Serumpun’ and ‘Sebilah Lantai Selayar Atap’. “While ‘Aur Serumpun’ involves an allocation of inheritance of land, complete with customary rituals and the slaughtering of a buffalo, ‘Sebilah Lantai Selayar Atap’, on the other hand, is more of the initiation process and is conducted by a buapak (note: the clan or 'suku' was sub-divided into several 'perut' and the head of a ‘perut’ is called 'buapak') and also refers to as ‘berkodim pinang sebatang’, complete with the slaughtering of a goat,” he said here Sunday. Recently, an LMNS team led by Antiquity division of Adat Perpatih unit assistant curator Asrul Effendi Kamaruzzaman conducted a study on ‘berkodim’ tradition in Batu Kikir, Kuala Pilah, here, aimed at listing ‘berkodim’ as part of the state’s heritage. “It is hoped the public, especially the younger generation is aware of the uniqueness of ‘berkodim’ tradition in Adat Perpatih,” he said. Thus far, a total of 13 studies had been conducted on all things related to the practice of Adat Perpatih in Negeri Sembilan as a source of reference for researchers and students of higher education institutions, he added. -- BERNAMA