Workshop on Shi` ism and Beyond: “Alid Piety” in Muslim Southeast Asia 14-15 January 2010, organised by Asia Research I nstitute, National University of Singapore at the ARI Seminar Room, Tower Block Level 10, Bukit Timah Road 1 The Hoyak Tabuik : from Sacred Expression to Emotional Dispirit: A Shi’sm Ritual in Padangpariaman Yudhi Andoni 1 Pariaman tadanga langang, musim tabuik makonyo rami tuan kanduang tadanga sanang bawolah tompang badan kami “Pariaman is sound lonely (at)Tabuik session is festive dear Sir you look happy (so) take us with you Institutional Affiliation: Andalas University, West Sumatra, Indonesia Mailing Address: History Department, Andalas University, West Sumatra, Indonesia Email Address: yudhiandoni@fsastra.unand.ac.id ABSTRACT Padangpariaman district, West Sumatra, Indonesia, has a solid tradition of Shi’ism which is reflected through the hoyak tabuik ritual. Over thousand peoples come to celebrate the hoyak tabuik, although, Shi’ism is not the most important Varian of Islam for Minangkabau people in West Sumatra. The hoyak tabuik was originally a religious ritual to honor the death of Hussein, the grandchild of the Prophet Muhammad, which setting portrays the Karbala’s War in 61 Hijri (680 AD). But in the recent decades, the celebration’s function and meaning had been changed due to some group vested interest. There is contestation between state (local government), the Kaum Adat (traditional leaders), and Syatarriyah community to celebrate the ritual. Changes and contestation, even the pressure of these changes have caused a shift in the value and meaning of the celebration of the hoyak tabuik in Padangpariaman district. Furthermore the economic benefits of the celebration reaching 7.5 billion arises the interest of groups of people to have the procurement of the hoyak tabuik in this district. This paper will explain and illustrate the changes and contestation of three elements (state, the custom, and Syatariyyah community) that eventually led celebrations of the hoyak tabuik in Padangpariaman region towards emotional dispirit of its traditional supporters (Syatariyyah community). 1 Yudhi Andoni was born in Padang, West Sumatra, Indonesia on June 12, 1978. he works as researcher at the Centre for History, Documentation, and Information Studies, Andalas University. Current research, “Merekonstruksi Ruang Identitas: Fenomena Hubungan Kaum Adat, Kaum Agama, dan Negara di Sumatera Barat 1999-2009”. Peoples can contact him by email: yudhiandoni@fsastra.unand.ac.id or my cellular phone 081363443699.