Western Sumatra The western part of Sumatra is the home of the Minangkabau. Many famous Indonesians have been Minangkabau, including Mohammed Hatta. Padang is the capital of Sumatera Barat province. Bukittinggi is the university center of the Minangkabau area. Bengkulu was a British outpost (called Bencoolen) until 1824. Nias is known for its unusual megalithic culture and its "stone jumpers". The Batak people live in many groups, some Muslim, but some are now Christians. They resisted takeover by their neighbors in Aceh and Minangkabau as well as the Dutch.