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Song in the Sumatran Highlands

Song: "Padang Magek"

Translation of Title: This song is named after the place, the nagari Padang Magek.
Composer: Unknown.
Type of song: Satangah Tiang but as Philip Yampolsky explains "Padang Magek can be either happy [gembira] or "half-happy" [satangah tiang, as listed here] but cannot be sad [ratok]. The pantun the singers choose make it half-happy in this performance" (Yampolsky, 1994, liner notes).

Place affiliations:

Nagari: Padang Magek.
Kecamatan: Rambatan.
Luak: Tanah Data.
Darek or Rantau: Darek.

Source: Te E's List of Songs, Mardjani's List of Songs.

Song Structure: The pantun used for this tune are 4 lines in total, split into the two halves: batang and isi. Each half is 2 lines of text. The tune is somewhat unique in that each line of the pantun is repeated. The melodic line, however, is slightly different on the repeats. Either vocables are inserted or certain syllables of the pantun are extended, both are techniques to make the pantun fit the melodic line.

One other special feature of this song is that in delivery, it often involves an atypical method of delivery, where the padendang combine forces singing momentarily as a duo (see Rendition: "Padang Magek" on Night Music of West Sumatra) or the second padendang takes over mid-verse to complete the end of the last line (see Rendition: "Padang Magek" 07/29/16).

Lyrics

As presented in Sekilas Lintas Dendang Minang (57-58). They are presented as stock verses, rather than accompanying any specific rendition of the song.

Pantun 1

Minangkabau
Masaklah padi Padang Magek 2x
Disabik anaklah tuan oi ndeh lai mudo-mudo 2x
Kasiah sayang mintak dijawek 2x
Kok lai di dalam lai tuan oi ndeh lai hati juo 2x

Indonesian
Masaklah padi Padang Magek 2x
Disabit mak lah tuan oi ndeh lah muda-muda 2x
Kasih sayang minta dijawat (diterima)
Kalau ada di dalam lai tuan ndeh hati juga 2x

Pantun 2

Minangkabau
Nan manuai baduo-duo 2x
Paneh mamanggang lah tuan oi ndeh lai tangah hari 2x
Hati baralah kaibonyo 2x
Yo nan baganggam lah tuan oi ganggam tak jadi 2x

Indonesian
Yang menuai berdua-dua 2x
Panas membakar lah tuan oi ndeh lai tangah hari 2x
Hati bukan main kan hibanya (sedihnya) 2x
Yo nan bergenggam lah tuan oi genggam tidak jadi 2x

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Repertoire: Sariak Laweh July 25, 2016 20 List of repertoire at Malam Bagurau, Sariak Laweh plain 2021-05-12T19:19:38+00:00
This performance was unique in that of all the malam bagurau attached to weddings that I attended in 2016, it alone involved a mix of musical styles: saluang klasik, the reason I attended, saluang orgen (songs, many of which are from dendang repertoire, accompanied by saluang and synethsizer), and orgen (just a vocalist and synethsizer). If a dendang is performed on saluang orgen or orgen, it is from the gembira category, the synthesizer providing a consistent rhythmic backdrop. The timeline for this performance, therefore, has a few more categories. It represents style first and foremost so the user can appreciate the relative amounts of time in each style. Within the saluang klasik style, dendang are represented by their type. When the songs are performed in the style of saluang orgen or orgen, then the type of song is specified in the description. See the following page for analysis on relative amounts of time on each style and each type of song.
1. Musical Item: Imbauan Saluang
2. Musical Item: Imbauan Singgalang
3. Song: "Singgalang Induak"/ "Singgalang Alai [new"]: nobody identified the title for me so I don't know for sure what to call it, but as Sri was one of the performers and she used the title "Singgalang Induak" for the same tune a few days before, I expect that she would identify the tune that way.
4. Song: Title Unknown
5. Song: "Raimah Tanjuang"
6. Song: "Singgalang Jaya"
7. Song: "Singgalang Singgah"
8. Song: "Danau Indah"
9. Song: "Kawin Batambua"
10. Song: "Pariaman Panjang"
11. Song: "Indang Ramolai"
12. Song: "Pariaman Laweh"
13. Song: "Muaro Cinto"
14. Song: Title Unknown
15. Song: "Indang Sari Lamak"
16. Song: Title Unknown
17. Song: "Indang Sing Guliang"
18. Song: Title Unknown
19. Song: "Sungai Rimbang"
20. Song: "Talago Biru"
21. Song: "Lubuak Sao"
22. Song: "Padang Magek"
23. Song: "Pitaruah Ayah"
24. Song: "Sirompak Taeh"
25. Song: "Koto Tuo Tabek Sarojo"
26. Song: "Suayan Maik Katurun"
27. Song: "Kamang Patah Tigo"
28. Song: "Bukik Apik Randang Kopi"
29. Song: "Pasaman Ilia"
30. Song: "Indang Kurinci"
31. Song: Title Unknown
32. Song: "Lubuak Aluang"
33. Song: "Sungai Pua Manurun"
34. Song: "Tangkerang"
35. Song: Title Unknown
36. Musical Item: Imbauan Saluang
37. Song: "Ampaian Santo"
38. Song: "Kambang Aia Aji"
39. Song: "Koto Tuo Patah Pucuak"
40. Song: "Tigo Balai"
41. Song: "Banda Sapuluah"
42. Item: Talingkin, Song "Simarantang"
43. Song: Title Unknown
44. Song: Title Unknown
45. Song: "Gali-Gali"
46. Song: "Cimpago Biru"
47. Song: Title Unknown
48. Song: "Bujang Marando"
49. Song: "Siriah Langkok"
50. Item: Jalu-Jalu
Repertoire: Suayan, July 29, 2016 18 List of repertoire at Malam Bagurau, Suayan plain 2021-06-17T19:40:02+00:00
1. Song: "Cancang Pidia"
2. Song: "Kincia Tuo"
3. Song: "Parambahan Bayua"
4. Song: "Indang Kayutanam"
5. Song: "Ratok Bainar"
6. Song: "Suayan Anguih"
7. Song: "Suayan Bukik Sarang Olang"
8. Song: "Ratok Koto Gadang"
9. Song: "Pariaman Panjang"
10. Song: "Indang Pariaman"
11. Song: "Padang Magek"
12. Song: "Oyak Ambacang"
13. Song: "Guguak Manitik Ameh"
14. Song: "Suntiang Patah Batikam"
15. Song: "Baso Lamo"
16. Song: "Salawat Dulang"
17. Song: "Kabau Punco"
18. Item: Talingkin, Song: "Simarantang"
19. Item: Talingkin, Song: "Lintau Buo"
20. Item: Talingkin, Song: Unknown
21. Musical Item: Imbauan Saluang
22. Musical Item: Imbauan Singgalang
23. Song: "Singgalang Rago-ragoan"
24. Song: "Singgalang Jaik Sangkuik"
25. Song: "Pariaman Tangguang"
26. Song: "Rangkuak Kerinci"
27. Song: "Indang Parik Rantang"
28. Song: "Kamang Bakayu"
29. Song: "Ladang Teleng"
30. Song: "Mudiak Suak"
31. Song: "Suayan Maik Ka Turun"
32. Song: "Suayan Usoli"
33. Song: "Sayang Bako" not recorded
34. Song: "Banda Sapuluah" not recorded
35. Song: "Lego Puyuah" not recorded
Rendition: "Padang Magek" on Night Music of West Sumatra 14 "Padang Magek" on Night Music of West Sumatra plain 2021-04-14T15:51:44+00:00
Song: "Padang Magek"
Performance: Night Music of West Sumatra. Recorded in a private home in Kabupaten Agam.
Date: Recorded 9-10 September 1992; published 1994.
People:
- Padendang:
  - Mak Sawir
  - Nurasni
- Tukang Saluang: Zaidir SK
Find an excerpt of the track below, which starts at the isi of the second pantun with Nurasni:

Lyrics
Here the black font represents delivery by a single padendang, while the text in red is where the two padendang join together. This collective singing is remarkable for two reasons. The first is the perfect coordination of text, especially the vocables (marked in bold font) and ornamentation, between the two singers. I know from interviewing Mak Sawir that when he made recordings, he wrote the lyrics out in advance and shared them with his co-singer (interview, Mak Sawir, 2010). It's not clear whether this includes the vocables or that the padendang who joins on the repeat of the line made sure to replicate them exactly.

The other is that I have never heard another rendition of "Padang Magek" quite like this, but the rendition at a performance in Suayan comes close. Structurally, it is similar but the use of just one microphone shared between the two padendang makes it harder to hear when--or even if--they are singing in a duet.

Note that in this song each line of the pantun is repeated (indicated below with the use of "()"), often with vocables inserted or certain syllables extended to fit the melodic line. Each half pantun is just two lines of text, but this tune requires four different melodic lines.
Pantun 1: Mak Sawir
Batang
Minangkabau
Lah masak padi Padang Magek
(Mak lah masak padi Padang Magek)
Lah di tuai anak lah tuan oi ondeh lah mudo-mudo
(Lah di tuai anak lah tuan oi ondeh lah mudo-mudo)

English
The rice of Padang Magek has ripened,
Already harvested by the young children
Isi
Minangkabau
Kasiah sayang mintak dijawek
(mak kasiah sayang mintak dijawek)
Lah ko lai di dalam lah tuan oi ondeh lah hati juo
(Lah ko lai di dalam lah tuan oi ondeh lai hati juo)

English
Feelings of love, l ask that you accept
them in your heart.
Interpretation of Pantun 1
Batang: The batang is descriptive about rice being ripe and ready for harvest. Note that the place for which the tune is named is mentioned in first line.
Isi: the isi is a romantic text, with a touch of advice.
Pantun 2: Nurasni
Batang
Minangkabau
Lah masak padi lah Padang Magek
(Lah masak padi lah Padang Magek)
Lah manguniang iyo ondeh lah tuan oi lah daun tuonyo
(Lah manguniang ondeh lah tuan oi lah daun tuonyo)

English
The rice of Padang Magek has ripened,
The old leaves are already yellow.
Isi
Minangkabau
Tuan tagamang lai bajawek
(Lah tuan tagamang lai bajawek)
Denai tagamang lah tuan ai yo ondeh lah jatuah sajo
(Denai tagamang lah tuan ai yo ondeh lah jatuah sajo)

English
lf you are about to fall, I catch you,
but if I am about to fall, you let me drop.
Interpretation of Pantun 2
Batang: The batang is another one about rice being ripe and ready for harvest. Note that the place is mentioned again.
Isi: this isi is advice: treat others like you are treated.
Raun Saluang

Pantun 3: Mak Sawir
Batang
Minangkabau
Kalam bakabuik Bukik Kaluang
(Mak kalam bakabuik Bukik Kaluang)
Tampak nan dari lah tuan oi ondeh lah Kampuang Lambah
(Tampak nan dari lah tuan oi ondeh lah Kampuang Lambah)

English
Bukik Kaluang (probably the name of a hill) is dark and covered with fog
Evident from Kampung Lambah
Isi
Minangkabau
Bapasan denai ka nan kanduang
(Lah bapasan denai ka nan kanduang)
Janji nan dulu lah tuan oi ondeh lah jan diubah
(Lah janji nan dulu lah tuan oi ondeh lah jan diubah)

English
My message to my sweetheart is,
don't go back on your promise.
Interpretation of Pantun 3
Batang: The batang is another descriptive one about a hill covered in fog. Specific places are mentioned here but it is unclear if they are near Padang Magek. I think "Bukit Kaluang" might be the nickname for a local hill. I could not find it on google maps.
Isi: The message is clear: don't break promises.
Pantun 4: Nurasni
Batang
Minangkabau
Kaparak batuang den sandakan
(Kaparak batuang den sandakan)
Kajalan urang lah tuan oi ondeh lah taniayo
(Lah kajalan urang lah tuan oi ondeh lah taniayo)

English
To the grove of big bamboo I stand myself
To the road of people oppressed.
Isi
Minangkabau
Ka tuan untuang disandakan
(Ka tuan untuang disandakan)
Lah indak nan kontan lah tuan oi ondeh lah surang juo
(Lah indak nan kontan nan kanduang oi ondeh lah surang juo)

English
l have to rely on you,
I have no brothers.
Interpretation of Pantun 4
Batang: The batang uses references from nature, including going to a grove of giant bamboo and using it to buttress oneself.
Isi: Another clear moralistic message: "You need to be there for me, because I am without family."

Source: The lyrics, including the vocables, are from the supplemental liner notes (pp 2-3). The Minang texts were transcribe by Hanefi.
Category of Song: "Jalu-Jalu" "Jalu-jalu," which means spur, is the title for the collection of songs that can be used to close a saluang performance, rather than the name for a specific song. Mak Lenggang told me about the function of these songs: a performance always finishes with a song from this category. Before the padendang present one of the Jalu-jalu, they typically perform a couple of other songs first, including "Bacarai Kasiah" and "Manjalang Subuah." The presentation of one of these songs indicates to the audience that the performance is coming to a close and they can no longer make requests. If they do make requests, Mak Lenggang asserted, it’s clear they don't know the etiquette, the rules of saluang performances. The use of any of the songs labeled as "Jalu-jalu" indicates to remaining audience members they should get up and take their leave. I can only postulate that "spur" is used as a metaphor here, a spur that encourages people to go home.

The songs associated with "Jalu-jalu" include “Sonsong,” “Satampang Baniah,” "Lubuak Aluang," and “Siti Johari.” Mostly these songs are only heard at the end of performances, but there are exceptions: "Lubuak Aluang" was the 7th song performed at the Malam Bagurau at STSI in December 2003. Mak Lenggang also related how these songs can be sung collectively by the padendang, by what he called a kor (chorus), although there are typically just two to three singers at any event. He explained how this collective singing worked: one padendang starts and is joined by a second on a later phrase. The first padendang is either joined by just one more padendang or by all present. To clarify that I understood our conversation, I asked if "Padang Magek" could be an example of this as I have always puzzled over the two padendang singing together on this track included on Night Music of West Sumatra album. Mak Lenggang confirmed that "Padang Magek" is also jalu-jalu, clarifying that jalu-jalu songs are the dendang that can also be used in randai. (Personal Conversation with Mak Lenggang, Padang Panjang, July 27, 2015).
Rendition: "Padang Magek" 07/29/2016 5 "Padang Magek" performed at Malam Bagurau, Suayan. plain 2021-06-10T21:54:06+00:00
Song: "Padang Magek"
Performance: Suayan, July 29, 2016
Context: Malam Bagurau for a wedding
People:
- Padendang:
  - Gadih Santan
  - Si Sri
- Tukang Saluang: Man PP
Duration: 4.30

Structure: This rendition has 3 pantun. Most significantly, the place in which the second padendang joins is different from the rendition on Night Music of West Sumatra. On that recording, the second padendang joins at the repeat of the last line and they clearly sing together. I expect this is clear because each padendang had an invididual microphone. At this performance, however, they shared a microphone, passing it back and forth. It is not clear that both are singing. In this rendition, the second padendang starts halfway through the last line, not at the beginning of the last line. The effect is somewhat similar, but not quite the same. Listen for the difference in sounds of the two padendang here: Santan has a sharper, more penetrating voice. Her ornaments are sharp and attacking. Si Sri, in comparison, has a smoother, more rounded voice and her ornaments are also more rounded.

Lyrics: to come later.

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