Song in the Sumatran Highlands

Text: Pantun Parasaian

Pantun parasaian (literally pantun of suffering) about longing and loss are considered by many to be at the heart of the genre, the ability to evoke in song what could often not be expressed directly in daily conversation. Mak Sawir was celebrated for his mastery over this type of poetry, his ability to evoke deep emotion through subtlety. He told me in 2010, that he was able to bring a man to tears and even once convinced a man to return home to his estranged wife and children.

The subjects of pantun parasaian cover longing and loss for people and places, especially the homeland or kampung (village of origin) left behind people marantau (migrate) to seek economic and educational opportunities. Historically, the practice was gendered male, and the textual references mostly make these gendered assumptions about men longing for their village of origin.   

Examples of Pantun about Loss

These two isi were delivered in a row by Si Sri, in the rendition of "Suayan Maik Ka Turun," a ratok whose title references burial.

 

Isi #1 

Adang-adang badan den pulang
Taserak tangih turun naik
Nan kontan bana nan tak ado 

Come home often (to one's kampung)             
Crying when going in and out of the house
Because those who are loved are all gone.

Isi #2

Pak Ketua anticipated this isi, meaning it is a pantun baku. 

Rang kampuang di ma mandeh den                    
Nan den silau indak di rumah                           
Janjang rabah pintu basaok.                              

People from the village, where is my mother?
I see she is not in her house
The steps have disintegrated, the door is closed

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