Randai in the history of the Minangkabau have a fairly long history. The legend says that he was played by community Pariangan, Tanah Datar when mesyarakat the deer caught coming out of the sea. Randai in Minangkabau society is an art that was played by several people in terms of groups or teams, which in this randai there is a story that was delivered, such as Mato story, Malin Fever, Anggun Nan Tongga, and other folklore. Randai aims to entertain people during a party usually held in public or at the feast of Eid al-Fitr.
Randai is played by the main character that will be on duty to submit the story, the protagonist can be numbered one, two, three or more depending on the story that was delivered, and in bringing the main character or act it circled by the other members that aims to enliven the course event.
Randai Now this is something foreign to the youth Minangkabau, this is because the shifting orientation of art or hobby of that generation. Randai contained in pasisie (coastal) and the area Darek (mainland).
At first Randai is a medium to convey tale or folklore through couplets or poems sung and galombang (dance), which originated from Minangkabau silat movements. But in its development, adopting Randai style characterizations and dialogue in plays, such as group Dardanela.
Randai at first is a medium to convey stories of the people, and less appropriate if called as a theater Randai Minangkabau tradition, although in its development Randai adopting storytelling or theater or theatrical dialogue.
