The Malays who sang pantuns
singers · Malay Peninsula · before the 19th century
The pantun is a four-line song that Malays sang back and forth to one another. The first two lines speak of birds, plants and paths; what the singer means comes in the last two. The makers are unknown. These were taken down in the Malay Peninsula by British officials and printed in W. W. Skeat's book of 1900.
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19th century · The chandrawasi is the bird of paradise, a bird of mystery said to call only at night. Given in the old romanized spelling.
The chandrawasi, bird of power, hides deep among the clouds. My heart is heavy with care each day I do not see you.
Chandrawasi burong sakti, Sangat berkurong didalam awan. Gonda gulana didalam hati, Sahari tidak memandang tuan.
A pantun printed in W. W. Skeat, Malay Magic (1900)
19th century · The first two lines are there for the rhyme; the point comes in the last two. That is how a pantun is always built.
The dove goes into a rich curry, the basil grows beneath the log. The path is muddy and overgrown, yet love is why he comes.
Tekukur di gulei lemak Sulasi di-bawah batang Lagi lumpor jalan semak Sebab kasih maka-nya datang.
A pantun printed in W. W. Skeat, Malay Magic (1900)
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