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Song in the Sumatran Highlands

People: Pak Ketua

Stage Name:
Other Names:
Role:
Sex:
Born:
Died:
Place of Origin:
Place of Residence:
Year started performing:
Training:
Relationships to other performers/ people:
Performances:
Songs composed:
Recordings:
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People: Mak Sawir 25 Legendary padendang and composer image_header 2021-08-03T20:17:43+00:00 -0.24711, 100.16715 July 24, 2016 July 4, 2010
Stage Name: Mak Sawir.
Other Names: Sawir St. Mudo.
Role: Padendang, Composer.
Sex: Male.
Time Frame: Contemporary Figure.
Source: 1st personal interaction in January 2004.
Born: 1942.
Died: June 9, 2020.
Place of Origin: Koto Kaciak, Tanjung Raya, Agam.
Place of Residence: Aua Tajungkang, Tangah Sawah, Bukittinggi.
Year started performing: approximately 1957, when 15.
Trained Under:
- Djamarih
- Lenggang Kayo
  - Source: Mardjani et. al.
Performances:
- Bagurau di Udaro at Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) Bukittinggi, January 26, 2004.
- Malam Suntuak at Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) Bukittinggi, February 6, 2004.
Interviews:
- with Pak Amran, July 4, 2010.
- with Pak Ketua, July 24, 2016.
Songs Composed: 
1. "Banda Guntuang"
2. "Danau Mamukek"
3. "Katangih Sudah Mimpi"
4. "Ombak Tanjuang Cino"
5. "Riak Pandan"
6. "Riak Tanjuang Sani"
7. "Ratok Kaki Limo"
8. "Sarasah Aia Badarun"
9. "Suntiang Patah Batikam"
10. "Talago Biru"
11. "Talempong Anam Koto"
12. "Ujan Baribuik"
Recordings:
- Sawir had an active recording career from 1972 until his senior years, releasing many, many titles.
- Night Music of West Sumatra: Saluang, Rabab Pariaman, Dendang Pauah.
- Talago Buni.
Song: "Bola"
Translation of Title: "Soccer."
Composer: Unknown
Type of song: Gembira.
Genre of origin: dangdut Indonesia
Place affiliations: Unknown.
Source: Mardjani's List of Songs, Martis, Pak Ketua.
Description: According to Martis, the theme of this song is like having lots of partners/ girlfriends, like a ball bouncing all over the place.
Rendition: "Pariaman Panjang" 07/21/2016 19 "Pariaman Panjang" performed at Recording Session with Si Sri and Pian plain 2022-10-18T19:41:07+00:00
Song: "Pariaman Panjang"
Performance: Recording Session
Place: Padang Datar, a neighborhood of Payokumbuah.
Date: July 21, 2016
People:
- Padendang: Si Sri
- Tukang Saluang: Pian
Recording: This recording was unusual in that it wasn't at a live performance, but a recording session expressly for the purpose of documenting key songs part of the repertoire. There is only one padendang, rather than a couple trading off verses and sections. Moreover, there is external sound--some kind of rock band--bleeding into the recording.

Analysis of song structure: In the recording, the song's constituent parts have been documented. The identification and naming of these parts took place through an ethnographic listening session with Pak Ketua, a saluang aficionado. He helped identify when something was happening and what it was called. The terminology used, therefore, is local.

It is important to remember that "Pariaman Panjang" has a flexible song structure, including two melodic sections which both take a full pantun: the induak (mother) and anak (child). The length of the pantun is not fixed for either, so you will see variable length pantun below for both the induak and the anak. The # by text lines in the Minangkabau version count the line of the text in each half of the pantun.

Lyrics:
Induak 1
Batang
Minangkabau:
1. Manih tabunyo rang Piaman
2. Dikilang sadiang mandaki
3. Urek di lingkah layang-layang
4. Daunnyo banyak nan patah
5. Patah dek ribuik pagi hari
6. Sado nan patah lareh juo
Indonesian:
Manis tebunya urang Pariaman
Dikilang sedang mendaki
Urat tebu diduduki oleh layang-layang
Daunnya banyak yang patah
Patah karena banyak angina
Semua yang patah laras juga

English:
The sugar cane of the Pariaman people is sweet
It’s squeezed while walking
The roots are sat on by swallows
The leaves have many that are broken
Broken by strong wind in the morning
All that are broken fall off

Isi
Minangkabau:
1. Manangih Gunuang Pasaman
2. Tambah hanguih Gunuang Marapi
3. Taisak Gunuang Singgalang
4. Managun aia di lurah
5. Cando baniaik kok dak jadi
6. Ka tau utang awak di namo
- NB: This induak involves 6 lines per pantun half.
Indonesian:
Menangis Gunung Pasaman
Tambah hangus Gunung Merapi
Terisak Gunung Singgalang
Tertegun air di lurah
Seperti berniat tidak jadi
Ke tahu utang kita di nama

English:
Mt. Pasaman is crying
Mt. Merapi is often smoldering
Mt. Singgalang sobs
The water in streams has stopped flowing
It is like the interest doesn’t come.
We already have a name.

Interpretation of Induak 1
Batang: The batang is relatively descriptive about the place and nature. It talks about the sweetness of sugar cane grown in Pariaman, a way of establishing connection to the place, Pariaman, but also about sugarcane, wind, and birds.
Isi: Pak Ketua explained that on the surface this is a pantun parasaian but in reality it is a pantun muda-mudi. The mountains here are metaphor for people: the father is crying, the mother is crying, the whole family and surrounding community is sobbing, hence the connection with parasaian. It is muda-mudi because the pantun functions as a metaphor for an individual who is romantically interested in someone but the other party does not reciprocate the interest. So at this level, the pantun is about dating: we are the jilted lover, the relationship ended by the other person. The implication is that everyone in the village knows about the relationship and the end of it.
Anak 1
Batang
Minangkabau
1. Kudo pacuaan rang Piaman
2. Di kuduak baling mambakeh
3. Kaki nan rancak ka ampeknyo
Indonesian
Kuda pacuaan urang Pariaman
Di kuduk baling membekas
Kaki yang bagus keempatnya

English
Horse racing of the people from Pariaman
Nape of neck leaves a trace (These are horses that are one color predominantly but have a patch of another color on the back of their necks)
All four of their hooves are good
Isi
Minangakabau
1. Dek hati kurang baiman
2. Luko di kaniang tampek bakeh
3. Kanai di hati luluah sajo
Indonesian
Dek hati kurang sabar
Luka di kening tempat bekas
Kena di hati luluh sajo

English
By a heart that is less than patient
A wound on the forehead shows
A wound in the heart breaks one

Interpretation of Anak 1
Batang: The pantun is a description of an activity--horseracing--that takes place in Pariaman.
Isi: This pantun tells of the suffering in love, of a broken heart.

Induak 2
Batang
Minangkabau:
1. Ka balai mambali kain
2. Mambali sitin ba karatan
3. Di Payokumbuah hari akad
4. Lah dapek kain saukuran
5. Baguntiang bajaik balun
6. Dek tuan tolong manyudahkan
7. Talatak apo kagunonyo
- NB: This induak involves 7 lines per pantun half, whereas the first induak was just 6 lines.
Indonesian:
Ke pasar membeli kain.
Membeli kain satu potong
di pasar Payakumbuah hari minggu
sudah dapat kain satu ukuran
sudah bergunting belum dijahit
dek tuan tolong menyudahkan
terletak apa ke gunanya

English:
Going to the market to buy cloth
To buy a length of cloth
At the Payokumbuah market on Sunday
I got one measure of cloth
It was already cut but not yet sewn
Sir, please help me finish it
To be put into place the use for it.
Isi
Minangkabau:
1. Kami mandapek kaba angin
2. Lah kambang si bungo intan
3. Pamenan allah jo Mohamad
4. Biarlahnyo bungo larangan
5. Kumbang baniak nak ka kiyun
6. Tagak dek balun dapek jalan
7. Kini mamadang jauah sajo
Indonesian:
Saya mendapat berita.
Sudah kembang si bunga intan
Hadiah Allah dengan Muhammad
Walaupun itu bunga larangan
Kumbang berniat ke sana
Tapi karena belum dapat dijalan
Sekarang memadang dari jauh saja.

English:
I’ve received some news
The bungo intan (jewel of a flower) is already flowering
It's a gift from God
However, it's a forbidden flower.
The bee is interested in searching there
But because he has not yet received any (nectar) in his journey.
He’s forced to look from afar.
Note
This is a pantun baku. It is also found in the following renditions of songs:
- Rendition of Pariaman Panjang
Interpretation of Induak 2
Batang: This verse is largely descriptive, about buying cloth at the market for a project, and the padendang suggesting the person listening should define a need for it. It also makes mention of a specific place, the market of Payokumbuah.
Isi: This verse could be read on many levels. On one, it can be taken quite literally: a bee looking for nectar in a flower. On another, it could taken metaphorically to mean a man looking for a woman. The use of this pantun in this context was different than the performance in Suayan in 2015, where it was a deliberate jab at Pak Ketua. The use of the one pantun to function differently in different contexts speaks to the semantic fluidity and polysemousness of song texts.
Anak 2
Batang
Minangkabau
1. Badarak badarun-darun
2. Lah runtuah tabiang jo ngarai
3. Musibah paliang marusuah
4. Untuang indak taulang lai
Indonesian
Berderak berderum-derum
Sudah runtuh tebing dengan ngarai
Musibah paling marusuah
Untung tidak terulang lagi

English
To creak, to rumble and roar
Steep banks and gorges have collapsed
Disasters make the greatest disturbance
Fortunately they (disasters) are not easily repeated.

Isi
Minangkabau:
1. Baibo hati urang punyo kabun
2. Bungo lah layuah tiok tangkai
3. Kumbang nan malah ka dituduah
4. Sabab lah banyak mainggoki
Indonesian
Beriba hati urang punya kebun
Bunga sudah layuh setiap tangkai
Kumbang yang malah ke dituduh
Sebab sudah banyak menghinggapi

English
For people who have gardens, the heart is bitterly weeping
Every stem of the flowers is already weak
The bumblebees who were present are suspected
Because already lots have alighted on [the flower].

Interpretation of Anak 2
Batang: This pantun is descriptive for disasters, probably an earthquake.
Isi: Like many metaphorical, one might interpret this literally, but it should be read metaphorically. The garden is a metaphor for a mother and father, or by extension a community. A "bungo layuah" (wilted flower) is a metaphor for a young woman who is no longer a virgin. The bumblebee is a metaphor for a man so the third and fourth lines are about suspecting the men who have alighted on the wilted flower. It is a pantun nasehat. It is also a pantun baku.
Song: "Ratok Sabu" 14 This song is named after the place, the nagari Sabu. plain 2021-06-27T00:21:46+00:00
Alternative Title: "Sabu"
Translation of Title: "Ratok of Sabu," a song named for the place, nagari Sabu.
Composer: Unknown.
Type of song: Ratok.
Place affiliations:
- Nagari: Sabu.
- Kecamatan: Batipuah.
- Luak: Tanah Data.
- Darek or Rantau: Darek.
Source: Mardjani's List of Songs, Martis, Pak Ketua.
Description: The introduction for this song is similar to imbauan Singgalang, the introduction used for all Singgalang songs. The structure of the remainder of the song shares some other structural similarities, but according to Martis the similarity is not intentional, but more a result of relative proximity of place: Sabu is a nagari about 9 miles away from nagari Singgalang on the opposite side of the valley between Mt. Singgalang and Mt. Marapi. The theme for pantun is a lament by someone from Sabu about the loss of someone close, such as a husband or friend.
Song: "Kabau Punco" 13 This song is affiliated with the place, the city of Payokumbuah. plain 2021-06-25T00:52:52+00:00
Translation of Title: "The extremity of the water buffalo."
Composer: Unknown.
Type of song: Gembira.
Genre of origin: Indang.

Place affiliations:
- City: Payokumbuah.
- Luak: Limopuluah Koto.
- Darek or Rantau: Darek.
Source: Pak Ketua.
Notes: According to Pak Ketua, this song is very close to the song "Indang Parik Rantang." During the performance at Sungai Baringin July 15, 2016 he explained it that they are in the same "kurung" (compartment). Indeed, at first during that performance he identified "Kabau Punco" as "Indang Parik Rantang." When "Indang Parik Rantang" was performed a few songs later that same evening, he said ah "this is the one that is asli (original)."

Below the two songs are presented. The beginning of "Indang Parik Rantang" involves a false start. I believe it is possible the padendang confused the two songs.

When we were working together on song identification and texts later that summer, Pak Ketua explained what he meant by the songs being in the same "kurung:" "Ada beda sedikit saja, dari sebuah lagu" (there is very little difference between these songs). The differences can take place at the beginning, the middle, or at different points (informal conversation, July 28, 2016). The similarities between these songs relate to melodic and rhythmic content, including ornamentation, along with overall structure. The differences might be slight, but enough to constitute a new song with a different title. It is one of the reasons that pagurau and even singers might confuse one song for another, which is what I believe happened with the start of "Indang Parik Rantang" above.
Song Clusters
Songs with Structural Similarities
With hundreds of songs in the repertoire, how do people--singers and audiences--differentiate them from each other? Each song has distinctive structural features--melodic and/or rhythmic content, ornamentation, and typical form. Sometimes what distinguishes one song from the next is microscopic. Often these similarities are geographic in origin. Songs from a particular place sound similar.

Martis described songs that from particular regions, like the group of ratok from Maninjau, as all being similar in kiek. We could see these stylistic aesthetics as one manifestation of music and place.

At one performance we attended, Pak Ketua described two particular songs--"Kabau Punco" and "Indang Parik Rantang"-- as being from a similar kurung (compartment). When we were working together on song identification and texts later that summer, Pak Ketua explained what he meant by the songs being in the same "kurung:" "Ada beda sedikit saja, dari sebuah lagu" (there is very little difference between these songs). The differences can take place at the beginning, the middle, or at different points (informal conversation, July 28, 2016). The similarities between these songs relate to melodic and rhythmic content, including ornamentation, along with overall structure. The differences might be slight, but enough to constitute a new song with a different title. It is one of the reasons that pagurau and even singers might confuse one song for another.
People: Antoni Datuak 12 Antoni Datuak is a janang. image_header 2021-06-24T00:37:58+00:00
Stage Name: Antoni Datuak (Pak Ketua identified him by this name)
Other Names: Dt. Mangiang (Martis identified him by this title)
Role: Janang.
Sex: Male.
Time Frame: Contemporary figure
Source: in person encounter at a performance in 2004
Born:
Died:
Place of Origin:
Place of Residence: Bukittinggi (according to Martis)
Year started performing:
Training:
Relationships to other performers:
Performances:
- Performance: Pariangan, February 10, 2004.
Other notes: Martis identified him as affiliated with the radio station, Radio Arau, which used to feature regular saluang shows. He also sung during a song at Performance: Pariangan, February 10, 2004, suggesting he had some capacity and knowledge as a padendang. It makes sense that janang need some familiarity with the repertoire.
Song: "Lawang Ambun Pagi" 10 This song is named after the place, the overlook Ambun Pagi. plain 2021-07-02T18:06:17+00:00 -0.30311, 100.24811 -0.26601, 100.27311
Alternative Title: "Ambun Pagi"
Translation of Title: This song is named for the specific locale, Ambun Pagi, which overlooks Lake Maninjau. "Ambun Pagi" means "Dew of the Morning." From the place called Ambun Pagi, one would have a view of the misty morning unfolding over the lake with the sun rising behind. "Lawang" is inserted in the title to suggest both an affiliation to place, nagari Lawang (which is near Ambun Pagi), and the style of song from Lawang.
Composer: Unknown.
Type of song: Ratok.
Place affiliations: Ambun Pagi, a specific area.
- Nagari: Lawang.
- Kecamatan: Matua.
- Luak: Agam.
- Darek or Rantau: Darek.
Source: Mardjani's List of Songs, Pak Ketua.
Description: Martis told me the theme for the pantun should be about sadness in love. This is a fitting subject for a ratok.
Song: "Biduak Ketek" Alternative Title: Mardjani lists a song as simply "Biduak"
Translation of Title: "Biduak" refers to a particular kind of boat used for river travel. The word "ketek" means it is a small one, so the title is something like "small canoe."
Composer: Unknown.
Type of song: Gembira.

Place affiliations: Unknown.
Source: Mardjani's List of Songs, Pak Ketua.
Song: "Basalingkuah" 9 This song is affiliated with the place, the nagari Balingka. plain 2021-07-02T18:09:33+00:00 -0.33634, 100.32455
Composer: Unknown.
Type of song: Gembira.
Place affiliations:
- Nagari: Balingka.
- Kecamatan: IV Koto.
- Luak: Agam.
- Darek or Rantau: Darek.
Source: Pak Ketua.
Song: "Singgalang Jaya" 8 This song is part of a sub-category of songs called Singgalang that are named after the place, the nagari and mountain called Singgalang. plain 2021-06-29T23:04:47+00:00
Translation of Title: "Jaya" means "victorious." "Singgalang" in the title refers not just to place affiliation but to the category of songs called Singgalang.
Composer: Unknown.
Type of song: Singgalang.
Place affiliations: This whole category of song is named after the place, the nagari and mountain called Singgalang.
- Nagari: Singgalang.
- Kecamatan: X Koto.
- Luak: Tanah Data.
- Darek or Rantau: Darek.
Source: Mardjani's List of Songs, Pak Ketua, Sri, Pian.
Description: This is a well-known dendang, one of the more common Singgalang dendang performed.
Song: "Kutang Barendo" 7 This song is affiliated with the place, the town of Batusangkar. plain 2021-06-26T23:00:51+00:00
Translation of Title: "Bra of Lace."
Composer: Syamsimar claimed authorship (interview with Syamsimar, Pariangan, September 24, 2004). A commercial recording attributes it to Syahrul Tarun Yusuf.
Type of song: Gembira.
Place affiliations: The city of Batusangkar.
- Luak: Tanah Data.
- Darek or Rantau: Darek.
Source: Martis, Pak Ketua.
Description: This song is a perfect example of a song that Mak Sawir considered porno, and thus not fitting for saluang. The title is "Lacy Bra," which brings one's attention to matters that are taboo and shouldn't be discussed publicly. The implication of this song title is that a woman's bra and/or breasts draw attention. The texts should have a link with the beauty of women's clothing and the life and existence of a bachelor/ widower who is without a woman in his life.
Song: "Talerek" 7 This song is a ratok. plain 2021-06-29T23:39:40+00:00 -0.17912, 100.68161
Translation of Title: "Dragged Along," which might be a descriptive title refering to the song structure.
Composer: Unknown.
Type of song: Ratok.
Place affiliations:
- Nagari: Batu Balang.
- Kecamatan: Harau.
- Luak: Limopuluah Koto.
- Darek or Rantau: Darek.
Source: Pak Ketua.
Song: "Ratok Singkarak" 7 This song is named after the place, the lake and region called Singkarak. plain 2021-06-30T12:32:01+00:00
Translation of Title: "Ratok of Singkarak." This song is named after the place, Lake Singkarak.
Composer: Unknown.
Type of song: Ratok.

Place affiliations: Lake Singakarak.
- Luak: Tanah Data.
- Darek or Rantau: Darek.
Source: Pak Ketua.
Song: "Indang Parik Rantang" 6 This is a song affiliated with indang. plain 2021-06-25T00:42:08+00:00
Translation of Title: "Indang of Parik Rantang." "Indang" in the title is used to indicate the style of song, "Parik Rantang" indicates an affiliattion with the place, the nagari Parik Rantang.
Composer: Unknown.
Type of song: Satangah Tiang.
Place affiliations:
- Nagari: Parik Rantang.
- Kecamatan: Kamang Baru.
- Kabupaten: Sijunjuang.
- Darek or Rantau: Rantau.
Source: Pak Ketua.

Notes: According to Pak Ketua, this song is very close to the song "Kabau Punco." He explained it that they are in the same "kurung" (compartment) during the performance at Sungai Baringin July 15, 2016. Indeed, at first during that performance he identified "Kabau Punco" as "Indang Parik Rantang." When "Indang Parik Rantang" was performed a few songs later that same evening, he said ah "this is the one that is asli (original)." When we working together on song identification and texts later that summer, he explained what he meant by being in the same "kurung:" "Ada beda sedikit saja, dari sebuah lagu" (there is very little difference between these songs). The differences can take place at the beginning, the middle, or at different points (informal conversation, July 28, 2016). The similarities between these songs relate to melodic and rhythmic content, including ornamentation, along with overall structure. The differences might be slight, but enough to constitute a new song with a different title. It is one of the reasons that pagurau and even singers, as evidenced on the start of "Indang Parik Rantang" below, might confuse one song for another.
Song: "Muaro Cinto" Translation of Title: "Muaro" means "mouth (of a river) or "opening," "cinto" means "love." The title is translated as "the mouth of love."
Composer: Unknown.
Type of song: Gembira.
Genre of origin: Saluang dangdut.
Place affiliations: Unknown.
Source: Pak Ketua.
Song: "Siriah Langkok" 6 This song is affiliated with the place, the luak of Agam. plain 2021-06-29T23:16:41+00:00
Translation of Title: "Siriah Langkok" means "complete siriah," where siriah is a ceremonial offering involving betel nut, tobacco, and gambier, a kind of chew that produces red juice.
Composer: Syamsimar claimed authorship (interview with Syamsimar, Pariangan, September 24, 2004).
Type of song:Gembira.

Place affiliations:
- Luak: Agam.
- Darek or Rantau: Darek.
Source: Mardjani's List of Songs, Pak Ketua.
Song: "Sabungkuih Aia Mato" Translation of Title: "A Package of Tears."
Composer: Unknown.
Type of song: None.
Genre of origin: Dangdut.
Place affiliations: Unknown.
Source: Pak Ketua.
Description: It is adopted from lagu kampar, songs from the Kampar region of neighboring Riau.
Song: "Singgalang Cancang" 5 This song is part of a subcategory of songs called Singgalang that are named after the place, the nagari and mountain called Singgalang. plain 2021-06-29T22:59:14+00:00
Translation of Title: "Cancang" is a rhythm in sijobang; the rhythm in this song references that while keeping within the Singgalang melodic framework. "Singgalang" in the title refers not just to place affiliation but to the category of songs called Singgalang.
Composer: Unknown.
Type of song: Singgalang.
Place affiliations: This whole category of song is named after the place, the nagari and mountain called Singgalang.
- Nagari: Singgalang.
- Kecamatan: X Koto.
- Luak: Tanah Data.
- Darek or Rantau: Darek.
Source: Te E's List of Songs, Pak Ketua, Sri, Pian
Song: "Unggeh Jo Buruang" 5 This song is lagu gembira. plain 2021-06-29T23:50:16+00:00
Translation of Title: "Fowl with Birds"
Composer: Unknown.
Type of song:Gembira.
Genre of origin: Indang Pariaman.
Place affiliations:
- Kabupaten: Padang Pariaman.
- Darek or Rantau: Rantau.
Source: Pak Ketua.
Song: "Bacarai Kasiah" Translation of Title: "Broken Love."
Composer: Unknown.
Explanation:According to Halim, a.k.a. Mak Lenggang, "Bacarai Kasiah," like "Manjalang Subuah," is one of the songs sung immediately prior to "Jalu-Jalu," the songs used to indicate the end of a performance. Once this song is performed, the audience knows that the end is coming and they no longer make specific song requests. If they do make requests, it’s clear they don't know the etiquette of a saluang performance. (Informal interview, July 27, 2015).
Type of song: None.
Place affiliations: Unknown.
Source: Pak Ketua.
Song: "Kawin Batambua" Translation of Title: The title of this song loosely translates as "marriage leads to taking seconds of rice."
Composer: Unknown.
Type of song: Gembira.
Place affiliations: Unknown.
Source: Pak Ketua.
Song: "Marantau" Translation of Title: This title refers to the Minangkabau practice of marantau (when young men, historically, left their village and went off to seek their fortune). Now, the practice is more gender neutral.
Composer: Unknown.
Type of song: None.
Place affiliations: Unknown.
Source: Pak Ketua.
Song: "Tigo Sapilin" 4 This song is affiliated with the place, the city of Payokumbuah. plain 2021-06-29T23:49:26+00:00
Alternative Title: Te E lists the song as "Sijobang Tigo Sapilin."
Translation of Title: "Three Braided into One"
Composer: Unknown.
Type of song:Satangah Tiang (Others noted this as gembira.)
Genre of origin: Sijobang.
Place affiliations:
- City: Payokumbuah.
- Luak: Limopuluah Koto.
- Darek or Rantau: Darek.
Source: Te E's List of Songs, Pak Ketua.
Description: Like "Sijobang," this song draws on the melodic and rhythmic material of sijobang. When this material was adapted to saluang, however, modifications to texts were required. Rather than using the kaba format, which was a through narrative, texts were structured as stand alone pantun. According to Martis, the pantun are not related to each other: they could cover pantun muda, pantun perasaian, etc.
Song: "Upah Kasua" Translation of Title: "Efforts on the Mattress." This is a title that has porno connotations: metaphorically the reference is to financially supporting one’s children in order to secure sex with one’s wife.
Composer: Unknown.
Type of song:Satangah Tiang (Others noted this as gembira.)
Place affiliations: Unknown.
Source: Pak Ketua.
Song: "Bujang Marantau" Translation of Title:"Bachelor Seeking His Fortune." Marantau is the historical Minangkabau concept of young men seeking one's fortune before returning home to settle down.
Composer: Unknown.
Type of song: Satangah Tiang.
Place affiliations: Unknown.
Source: Pak Ketua.
Song: "Singgalang Patah Tigo" 3 This song is part of a sub-category of songs called Singgalang that are named after the place, the nagari and mountain called Singgalang. plain 2021-06-29T23:10:31+00:00
Translation of Title: "Patah tigo" means "broken into three." "Singgalang" in the title refers not just to place affiliation but to the category of songs called Singgalang.
Composer: Unknown.
Type of song: Singgalang.
Place affiliations: This whole category of song is named after the place, the nagari and mountain called Singgalang.
- Nagari: Singgalang.
- Kecamatan: X Koto.
- Luak: Tanah Data.
- Darek or Rantau: Darek.
Source: Pak Ketua.
Song: "Singgalang Singgah" 3 This song is part of a sub-category of songs called Singgalang that are named after the place, the nagari and mountain called Singgalang. plain 2021-06-29T23:13:44+00:00
Translation of Title: "Singgah" means "to stop by somewhere." It could mean "to stop by Singgalang" or the "Singgalang" in the title could just indicate a place and song type affiliation.
Composer: Unknown.
Type of song: Singgalang.
Place affiliations: This whole category of song is named after the place, the nagari and mountain called Singgalang.
- Nagari: Singgalang.
- Kecamatan: X Koto.
- Luak: Tanah Data.
- Darek or Rantau: Darek.
Source: Pak Ketua.
Song: "Talak Tigo" Translation of Title: "Talak Tigo" means "third (and final) divorce (after two reconciliations)," a practice connected with Islam.
Composer: Unknown.
Type of song:Gembira.
Place affiliations: Unknown.
Source: Pak Ketua.
Song: "Tanah Jambi" 3 This song is named for the place, Jambi Province. plain 2021-06-29T23:40:35+00:00
Translation of Title: "The Land of Jambi." This song is named for the place, the neighboring province of Jambi.
Composer: Unknown.
Type of song:Gembira.
Place affiliations:
- Province: Jambi.
- Darek or Rantau: Rantau.
Source: Pak Ketua.
Song: "Parantaian" 2 This title translates as "chaining." plain 2020-10-27T20:01:13+00:00
Alternative Title: Mardjani lists as "Parantain Pak Bawang," others as "Ratok Pak Bawang"
Translation of Title: This title translates as "chaining."
Composer: Unknown.
Type of song: Ratok.
Place affiliations:
- Luak: Agam.
- Darek or Rantau: Darek.
Source: Mardjani's List of Song, Pak Ketua.

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Image: Pak Ketua