Randai is a traditional game in Minangkabau which is played in groups by forming a circle, then walking slowly, while telling the story in the form of songs taking turns. Randai combines the arts of song, music, dance, drama and silat into one.

Randai is led by one person who is usually called a panggoreh, who apart from taking part in moving in the legaran, he also has the task of issuing a typical shout, for example hep tah tih, whose aim is to determine how fast or slow the tempo of the movement is along with the dendang or Gurindam. The goal is so that the Randai being played looks harmonious and in rhythm. Usually in a Randai group there is one panggoreh who is trusted by all team members but can be replaced by another teammate if the previous panggoreh is tired, because just completing one Randai story can take 1 to 5 hours or even more.

Randai stories are usually taken from the realities of life in society. Randai’s function is as an entertainment performance art in which messages and advice are also conveyed. All randai movements are guided by the commands of one of them, called the janang.