This site requires Javascript to be turned on. Please enable Javascript and reload the page.

Song in the Sumatran Highlands

Text: Pantun Porno

When references in song texts are made through allusion to sexual organs, sexual acts, or particular people engaging in such activities, they are identified locally as "porno," a term clearly borrowed from the English term "pornography." When those references are explicit they are considered "vulgar," another word borrowed from English, or "telanjang," a word that translates as "naked," suitable for things that are made explicit.

A well-known example of a textual theme that is considered porno is "sawah liek,” literally “dry rice field,” a metaphor for a widow or divorcee who needs to be plowed with a strong hoe, just like a dry rice field.

Not all performers and audience members are comfortable with porno and vulgar song texts: the topic of sex is illicit and taboo in everyday contexts. Mak Sawir was very vocal in speaking against their presence in saluang (interview 2010 and 2016). He vehemently refused to sing during songs that had any such associations, including "Oyak Ambacang" at the RRI Performance in 2004. Te E complies with audience requests for these song titles, like "Oyak Ambacang," by delivering their melodic content but she refuses to sing lyrics that would be classified as either porno or vulgar.

There are also pagurau who are uncomfortable with porno texts and their increasing presence. I have talked to people, often with a strong sense of Islamic piety, who have shied away from saluang performances in recent years for this reason.

Song titles that are considered porno (see Song Titles with Porno Associations) are likely to have porno lyrics, but they can appear in all types of songs, even ratok!

Examples of Porno Pantun

In putting these together, I had to be careful of selecting texts things that might be explicit enough to move from porno to texts that are considered telanjang/naked. Such a determination is obviously culturally sensitive and personally subjective.

Example #1
Isi from Induak #2, Rendition: "Kambang Aia Aji" 07/17/2016

Minangkabau
Bakato insan dalam dado
Rancak mamauik burung pipik
Pado manguruang buruang nuri
Buruang nuri pamaliang paham
Sangka nyo sangko palabuahan
Ka tampek singgah samantaro

Indonesian
Berbicara dalam hati
Bagus mengikat burung pipit
Daripada mengikat burung nuri
Burung nuri suka menipu
Sangkarnya sangkar pelabuhan
Untuk tempat singgahan sementara.

English
To speak with feeling
It is good to bond with a sharp-tailed munia (a kind of small bird)
Rather than bond with a parrot
Parrots like to deceive/ steal
The birdcage is a place of safe harbor
A place to stop by momentarily.

Interpretation

Pak Ketua told me that on one level this pantun operates as a pantun nasehat: it's better to be an orang kecil (one of the masses) with good character than a rich or handsome character with bad morals, who steal like the parrots. But at another level it is also porno as the birdcage, the place for safe harbor, is a woman's sexual organs, more specifically the vagina. He suggested, however, that most listeners would not get this reference.

Example #2

Isi#7 from Rendition: "Lego Puyuah" 12/02/2003

Minangkabau
Mancaliak urang maadu puyuah
Balam disangkak maangguak pulo

English

Look at the people fighting like quails
Your desire increases.

Interpretation

Fighting like quails is a metaphor for sexual intercourse. The second porno reference makes a metaphor reference to sexual arousal in a man as "balam" is a metaphor for a penis.

This page has paths:

Contents of this path:

Contents of this tag:

This page is referenced by:

Rendition: "Upah Kasua" 07/31/2015 14 "Upah Kasua" performed at Bagurau Lapiak, Ngalau. plain 2021-09-02T00:27:13+00:00
Song: "Upah Kasua"
Performance: Ngalau, July 31, 2015
Context: Bagurau Lapiak
Style: Saluang Klasik
Type of Song: Satangah Tiang
People:
- Padendang:
  - Santi
  - Si Tel
  - Unknown
- Tukang Saluang: Unknown
- Janang: Unknown
Duration: 22.21

Structure: There were eleven pantun (two of which were just the first half) delivered in this song. The interaction with the audience was extremely lively in this rendition. There were many interjections from the janang, conveying the requests and commentary from pagurau. After the first two pantun, the janang jumped in after each subsequent pantun, and often after a short saluang interlude. The text delivered by the padendang--in this case ten out of eleven pantun were delivered by Santi--were in response to pagurau comments, illustrating quick wit and verbal nimbleness and dexterity required.

Interactions: At least eight different individuals, including myself, and one group were named by the janang. Three of them were more involved, making four to six comments ore requests.

Comments: This song was the longest and most interactive of any song I heard in 2015-2016, in part because songs are simply not as long when no janang is present and most of the other performances I attended did not have janang. There were other songs as long in duration that I heard in 2003-2004, but again janang were present.
Lyrics:
Pantun 1: Santi
Batang
Minangkabau:
Oi bakandak latiah mangasua
Dek Lumuik Simpang danga malam ko

English:
In the cage, I’m tired so I need to be paid
Those of Lumuik Simpang listen this evening
Isi
Minangkabau:
Lah talonsong badan ka sumua
Kalau indak mandi cuci muko sajo

English:
Take your body to the well [a.k.a. the bathroom]
If you don’t shower, just wash your face.
Interpretation of Pantun 1
Batang: The batang is a generic one referring to the performance context. It's possible the reference to being paid is a literal reference to needing to raise funds for the performer's takings for the evening. If so, it would be a pretty direct reference to a matter that is usually treated obliquely. The name of the group can easily be exchanged.
Isi: This isi is metaphoric. A man goes to his wife's room, but only gets to hold her. Rather than washing the whole body, he only gets to wash his face. Rather than having sex, he gets to touch her. The oblique reference to intercourse makes this a pantun porno.

Pantun 2: Santi
Batang
Minangkabau:
Oi nan diagiek ka "Upah Kasua"
Bagurau kito samalam ko

English:
Those who make the request for song “Upah Kasua”
We are doing the bagurau this evening
Isi
Minangkabau:
Sulik bacinto jo urang jauah
Badan lah sarik ka basuo.

English:
It is difficult to be in love with someone far away
It is difficult to meet with them.
Interpretation of Pantun 2
Batang: The batang is generic: we've been given the task of this song and here we are engaging in a bagurau this evening.
Isi: This isi is relatively unremarkable, almost a pantun nasehat.
Janang Interjection#1
Content: There was a request to extend the song from two named individuals and a group. Commentary is conveyed to Santi: "Santi makan kueh rayo surang- surang sajo …." Kueh rayo are the cakes and sweets laid out following major holidays, in this case during Lebaran. The pagurau is concerned that she is eating cakes alone and might, therefore, be lonely, prodding the padendang to respond to these comments and taking the song in a less innocent direction. "Eating cake" might be interpreted by some to mean "engaging in sexual activity."
Pantun 3: Santi
Batang
Minangkabau:
Ka Tanjuang Aro sajo makan kue
Iyo dek alah kueh den asiangkan

English:
Come to Tanjuang Aro to eat cake
The cakes are ready to serve.
Isi
Minangkabau:
Elok lah kanduang bajaleh-jaleh
Oi jaan dak diek dimabuak angan-angan.

English:
Don’t think about someone else.
Don’t get drunk with those thoughts.
Interpretation of Pantun 3
Batang: The batang is explicit and topical, responsive to the comments of the pagurau. The padendang is inviting the pagurau to Tanjuang Aro, where she lives, to eat cakes with her. Such an invitation is considered to be too direct by some people. And while she extends such an invitation in song text, it is not a literal invitation. It is more about the wordplay.
Isi: This isi is more direct: in urging the paguruau to not think about someone else, she is encouraging them to think about her instead.

There are some saluang practitioners and connoisseurs who would consider this pantun a pantun telanjang.
Janang Interjection#2
Content: There was another request to extend the song. This time from Umbuik St Mudo (an individual) along with the group, Lumuik Simpang. 10,000rp is offered. They request Santi to sing again, sharing the following commentary:  "If there are cakes ready in Tanjuang Aro, we of Lumuik have the opportunity to stop by and have cake." The pagurau, then, picked up on and were responding to the now running joke about eating cake.
Pantun 4: Santi
Batang
Minangkabau:
Oi Lumuik Simpang amauh datang
Saboto gadang lah den asiangkan

English:
Those from Limuik Simpang who want to come
A big bottle [of cake] will be ready for you
Isi:
There was no isi delivered. It is unclear why. It seems likely Santi got distracted and forgot where she was in the pantun.
Interpretation of Pantun 4
Batang: The batang is direct and topical. Santi responded to the pagurau commentary about stopping by for cake. She invites the specific group to come over and specifies the kind of cake.
Janang Interjection#3
Content: Lumbuik Simpang respond with a request to extend the song again. They deliver the following comment: “If the cake is from a big bottle, that’s lots. We just need a slice.” Putra Pasena (an individual) also submitted comments: “If a cake is to be separated out, don’t do a whole bottle, just do a kueh bulo (round cake) instead, with lots of chocolate sprinkles” and then “If it’s a kueh bulo, don’t cut it small, give me a really big slice.” One has to apply imaginative thinking to engage in the metaphorical extensions of eating different kinds of cake.
Pantun 5: Santi
Batang
Minangkabau:
Kalau sasaik indak kasadang
Sagaluang gadang ka den hidangkan

English:
If only one slice is not enough,
I’ll give you the whole cake.
Isi
Minangkabau:
Hilang gumilang paneh patang
Takana ranah pamulangan

English:
If you are in the middle of fighting with your boyfriend,
Remember the good times.
Interpretation of Pantun 5
Batang: The batang extends the metaphor of eating cake.
Isi: This isi is a straightforward pantun nasehat.
Janang Interjection#4
Content: Following the last verse, there was more engaged commentary from the pagurau.
Putra Pasena said “If it’s not small, then give it all out.” Lumuik Simpang said “If the cake is that big, how many eggs are used? Please clarify, Santi.” And Putra Panampuang, the most direct comment of all: “I am looking at your shirt, Santi, there is a brand. What is the brand? It’s not evident to us.” This was commentary to encourage her to lean over closer to the pagurau.

After a saluang interlude, the janang comes back with another comment, this one made partially on my behalf by Mak Datuak (or Pak Ketua). “If Santi makes a cake, how delicious is it? Because her triceps are strong to mix it. The cake will be finished in a minute with the shaking of her upper arms.”
Pantun 6: Santi
Batang
Minangkabau:
Jiko taluanyo tak bara bana
Namun kacau nan paralu

English:
Even if the eggs are not that many
Mixing, however, is needed
Isi
There was no isi delivered. It is unclear why. It seems likely Santi got distracted and forgot where she was in the pantun, maybe cracking up at her own joke.
Interpretation of Pantun 6
Batang: The batang was again direct and topical, responding to commentary. One interpretation was that at the moment of making a cake, the padendang is like a big mixer.

Janang Interjection#5
Content: Bujang (a word interchangeable with Putra) Pasena comments: “Santi, if there aren’t that make any eggs to put into the mix, but the [egg] whites are necessary, add margarine and sugar.”
Pantun 7: Santi
Batang
Minangkabau:
Biaso buek kueh di Lubuak Bangku
Iyo putiah jo nan balabiahkan

English:
Usually to make a cake in Lubuak Bangku
The [egg] whites are used more [in making a cake]/
Isi
Minangkabau:
Oi kalau itu kami lah tahu
Indak paralu kanduang kato kan

English:
If that’s the case, we already know,
You don’t need to talk about it.

Interpretation of Pantun 7
Batang: The batang once again extends the metaphor of making a cake, in this case making a specific reference to place that is meaningful to Putra Pasena, who's ex-girlfriend is from Lubuak Bangku.
Isi: This isi seems like straightforward narrative, mention to the fact that the performers and the audience members are aware of the connection to Lubuak Bangku.
Janang Interjection#6
Content: Putra Pasena responds to her reference. “When in Lubuak Bangku, one uses two eggs. When in Tanjuang Aro, there are lots of eggs. Just one egg container is not enough, you need a sacabek (a container that holds hundreds of eggs), because Santi your upper arms are big. In Lubuak Bangku, the upper arms are small.”

Interpretation: In this case, Putra Pasena is making a comparison between his past girlfriend (from Lubuak Bangku) and his present one, Santi the padendang, from Tanjuang Aro. His previous girlfriend was skinny and had small upper arms, but now he likes Santi’s big upper arms, their super power. Everyone is aware of this dating history.
Pantun 8: Santi
Batang
Minangkabau:
Di Lubuak Bangku putiahnyo sajo
Baa nyo kueh namuahnyo kambang

English:
In Lubuak Bangku, if you just use the egg whites
How will the eggs do their job?

Isi
Minangkabau:
Di sabuik apolah ka gunonyo
Kok masiak bana nan kanduang sayang

English:
You don’t need to tell us the use
[…] that which is loved.
Interpretation of Pantun 8
Batang: The batang extends the cake and egg metaphor, suggesting the egg whites are not up to the job, in this case the ex-girlfriend was not up to the job.
Isi: This isi is straightforward.

Janang Interjection#7
Content: The janang jumps in with a comment from Pak Datuk Parampuang, “If it’s really difficult, just put them all in a bucket and stir. If not, put them in a blender or a cement mixer.”
Pantun 9: Santi
Batang
Minangkabau:
Sabuik lah lagu malam kini
Oi namun si Eli nan takana

English:
[…] the song this evening
However, Si Eli is affected.
Isi
Minangkabau:
Lain salero dajang kini
Diagia gajebo bakandak tunjang

English:
Different tastes this dajang [young bachelor]
Given fatty meat
Interpretation of Pantun 9
Batang: The batang is direct and topical, making reference to Si Eli, who was Putra Pasena's previous girl. The specific mention of someone by name, not even metaphor, makes this a pantun telanjang or pantun vulgar.
Isi: This isi is also very direct, another comment explicitly on people and their sexual and romantic taste. Before Putra Pasena liked this skinny woman in Lubuak Bangku, Eli, but
now he likes Santi, who is “meatier.” In this pantun, Santi is making a self-reference to the fact she is larger bodied and that “fatter” women are beautiful.
Janang Interjection #8
Content: More pagurau start interacting, including someone called Mak Tib and an older man. Group Lumuik Simpang comment, “If the strength of the big upper arms
is known, how is the strength of the small upper arms?” This is an oblique way for them to say, we've heard Santi sing a lot. What about Si Tel, her younger sister, who has skinny upper arms? Another comment is deliver from the oldest man in the audience, Inyiak Ngalau, who comments "Who is the one singing with thatbvoice? I am really affected by it." It's possible to interpret the affect in a sexual way.
Pantun 10: Si Tel
Note that the oblique request for Si Tel to take a turn does indeed encourage her to sing a verse, though with generic texts.
Batang
Minangkabau:
Dangalah gurau sampai salasai
Biarlah kami yo madendangkan

English:
To listen to the gurau until it is done
Let us sing.
Isi
Minangkabau:
Oi kok mangacau den ndak pandai
Oi nan dek Uda tolong tunjuakan

English:
If those stirring are not good,
Please you should point out to us how to do it.
Interpretation of Pantun 10
Batang: The batang is very generic, the kind of batang a novice padendang would deliver.
Isi: This isi is also very generic, asking for forgiveness for her mistakes.
Janang Interjection #9
Content: Si Tel's participation generates a reaction and commentary from the pagurau. Pak Datuk Parampuang asks “How come the arms of Si Tel are so small?” while Bujang Pasena asks “I am asking Si Tel, If you are not capable stirring eggs, how come you are capable opening the stove?” Effectively this question is saying, if you are not strong enough to beat the eggs, how can you be strong enough to open the stove (in order to bake the cake?) I'll leave the possible metaphors here to your imagination.
Pantun 11: Santi
Batang
Minangkabau:
Elok lah duduak di nan arek
Oi dek dajang danga malam ko

English:
Already you are sitting there properly
Oh dajang listen up this evening.
Isi
Minangkabau:
Usahlah cameh pangkalangan ketek
Agak lain pulo kosaiknyo.

English:
You don’t need to be hesitant about her thin arms
Although her arms are thin, she has other talents.
Interpretation of Pantun 11
Batang: The batang is very generic.
Isi: This isi is a little direct, talking about Si Tel's body and her thin arms.

After this last pantun--a return to more generic fare, the performers and the pagurau move on to a new song, in this case "Mudiak Suak," a ratok.
Rendition: "Lego Puyuah" 12/02/2003 9 "Lego Puyuah" performed at Malam Bagurau, Kampung Jambak. plain 2021-08-05T16:18:37+00:00
Song: "Lego Puyuah"
Performance: Kampung Jambak, December 2, 2003
Context: Community Celebration for Halal-Bihalal
Type of Song: Gembira
People:
- Padendang:
  - Erni Batu Balang
  - Meri Batu Balang
  - Mila
- Tukang Saluang: Mak Lenggang
- Janang: Martis
Duration: 4.07

Structure: This rendition is 8 pantun long, in part because someone requested an extension after four verses. This is pretty typical, especially If the audience is enjoying the interactions, as is quite typical with content like this song that is considered porno.
Lyrics
Pantun#1: Erni
Minangkabau
Batang
Bakandak alah dibari
Jan duduk manjauah-jauah
Isi
Nan bujang elok babini
Nan buliah tantu jo lego puyuah.
English
Batang
Permission is already given
Don’t sit too far away
Isi
Those who are bachelors are better with wives
They may, of course, be fighting like quails.
Interpretation
Type of Pantun: Porno
Batang: this is a generic kind of batang referencing the performance context. Permission has been given to sing. The padendang is encouraging her audience not to be shy and sit too far away.
Isi: This isi uses sindiran (metaphor) to make a porno reference. Fighting like quails is a metaphor for sexual intercourse. The reference to sexual material qualifies this in local terms as porno.
Pantun#2: Meri
Minangkabau
Batang
Bakandak indak nan ditatagun
Bagurau samalam nangko
Isi
Babini sajo nan alun
Tapi puyuah acok balego.
English
Batang
The requests are delivered
We are doing the bagurau this evening
Isi
Those who don’t have wives yet
But are frequently fighting like quails.
Interpretation
Type of Pantun: Porno
Batang: this is a generic kind of batang referencing the performance context: requests have been delivered, we are all engaging in a malam bagurau.
Isi: This isi uses the same kata sindiran (metaphor) to make a porno reference. It's about young men who are not yet married but are frequently fighting like quails, i.e. engaging in sexual intercourse. This is contrary to dominant Minangkabau moral codes where pre-marital sex is not permitted, making the porno subject matter even more risqué. It generated a moderate outburst of laughter from the audience.
Janang Interjection
He jumps in to comment on the previous verse.
Pantun#3: Mila
Minangkabau
Batang
Lah datang dakek jo jauah
Lai basilau malam kini
Isi
Dek asik malego puyuah
Pukua duobaleh jago pagi.
English
Batang
Come close those near and far
Again we are sitting this way
Isi
Because busy fighting like quails
At 12am looking out for the morning.
Interpretation
Type of Pantun: Porno
Batang: this is a generic kind of batang referencing the performance context: the padendang are urging pagurau to come sit closer, referencing that they sit near facing each other.
Isi: This isi uses the same kata sindiran (metaphor) to make a porno reference. It's about being up late at midnight, facing the morning, because he was busy having sex.
Pantun#4: Erni
Minangkabau
Batang
Bialah kami badendang
Jan duduak bamanuang juo
Isi
Puyuah urang lai basarang
Puyuah nan bujang lapeh sajo
English
Batang
Let us sing tonight
Don’t sit far away dreaming
Isi
If quails have a partner, they have a nest
If they are single, there is no nest, they are free
Interpretation
Type of Pantun: Porno
Batang: this is another generic kind of batang referencing the performance context: the padendang are singing, urging their audience to not sit there dreaming of other things
Isi: This isi uses a different kata sindiran (metaphor) to make a porno reference: "nest" is a metaphor for a steady sexual partner. It suggests the bachelors play around with different women.
Janang Interjection
He jumps in to announce a new request, but is corrected by the audience that there is a request to extend the song.
Pantun#5: Meri
Minangkabau
Batang
Jan tagak nan jauah-jauah
Bialah kami badendang
Isi
Baru mandanga lego puyuah
Nan babini nak capek pulang
English
Batang
Don’t stand far away.
Let us sing
Isi
We are just now listening to “Lego Puyuah”
Those who have wives, get home quickly.
Interpretation
Type of Pantun: Porno
Batang: this is another generic kind of batang referencing the performance context: the padendang are urging the paguruau not to stand far away, that they are singing.
Isi: This isi uses the phrase "Lego Puyuah" not as a metaphor, but as the name of the song, in the first line, but the implication of the second line is that if the men go home, they might be able to have sex.

Pantun#6: Mila
Minangkabau
Batang
Dipapanjang iko nyanyi
Baitu kandak sabanta ko
Isi
Nan bujang rancak babini
Bia nak puyuah di adu pulo
English
Batang
To be extended, this song
Therefore, request you to be patient
Isi
Those that are young, get a wife quickly
So that the quail will get to quickly fight.
Interpretation
Type of Pantun: Porno
Batang: this is another generic kind of batang referencing the performance context: the padendang references the fact someone requested the song to be extended (rather than changing to a new song)
Isi: This isi uses the same metaphor, urging young men to get a wife quickly so that can have sex. It generated a considerable outburst of laughter from the audience.
Pantun#7: Erni
Minangkabau
Batang
Jan tagak nan jauah-jauah
Ka mari lah kasadonyo
Isi
Mancaliak urang maadu puyuah
Balam disangkak maangguak pulo
English
Batang
Don’t stand those that are far away
Come here, all of you
Isi
Look at the people fighting like quails
Your desire increases.
Interpretation
Type of Pantun: Porno
Batang: this is another generic kind of batang referencing the performance context. In fact, the first line is an exact repetition of line#1 in pantun#5: The padendang are urging the paguruau not to stand far away The two singers are different but it suggests that these batang are quire formulaic in construction. Line#2 urges the pagurau to all come close.
Isi: This isi continues the metaphor of sexual intercourse, but increases the level of porno context with an explicit reference to sexual arousal in a man. "Balam" is a metaphor for a penis.
Pantun#8: Meri
Minangkabau
Batang
Kok mandanga ka "Lego Puyuah"
Dek Pak [X] dima pangananyo
Isi
Lah jaleh puyuah tak baikua
Dek apak kumis baadu juo
English
Batang
Here you are listening to “Lego Puyuah”
Pak [X], what are your thoughts?
Isi
Already clear this quail doesn’t have a tail
Although it doesn't have a tail, it still fights
Interpretation
Type of Pantun: Porno
Batang: this is another generic kind of batang referencing the name of the song. I believe the reference in this second line to Pak X, is reference to the man who requested the extension.
Isi: This isi continues the metaphor of sexual intercourse. If a quail fights a lot, it loses the feathers on its tail. This is a metaphor for overworking something but continuing to use it. It generated a considerable outburst of laughter from the audience.
Summary
Content: The song title itself has porno connotations as it is a metaphor for sexual intercourse. The singers complied with the audience request, choosing to deliver textual content that is considered porno by local standards. Most of the batang were formulaic in nature, referencing the title of the song or the performance context. Most of the isi extended and played with the metaphor of the quail. From the outbursts of laughter, it is clear the men in the audience appreciated the word smithing of the padendang. There were clearly some verses that were more enjoyable than others, whether they were wittier or simply new to the listeners I can only guess.

I have no other field recordings of this song to compare the textual content. I do have a commercial recording of the song in which there is no porno references, keeping with local sensibilities for disseminated commercial material (i.e. no commercial recordings involve these porno verses).

Examples of Porno Pantun

Example #1Isi from Induak #2, Rendition: "Kambang Aia Aji" 07/17/2016

Interpretation

Example #2Isi#7 from Rendition: "Lego Puyuah" 12/02/2003

English

Interpretation

This page has paths:

Contents of this tag:

This page is referenced by:

This page references:

Example #1
Isi from Induak #2, Rendition: "Kambang Aia Aji" 07/17/2016

Example #2

Isi#7 from Rendition: "Lego Puyuah" 12/02/2003