Pantun Sunda

Last updated

Pantun Sunda is a type of Sundanese oral narrative performance interspersed with songs and music played on a kacapi , a kind of zither. A pantun is intended to be recited during an evening-length performance during which a single performer relates the story of a hero’s initiation: The protagonist leaves his kingdom in order to seek experiences, beautiful princesses to become his wife, power, other kingdoms to subject, the realization of a dream (Rosidi 1984a:143); after having succeeded in reaching his goal he finally returns to his kingdom. Alongside descriptions of historical events, the stories often contain mythical elements. Pantun were originally not written down, the bards often being illiterate and in many cases blind. Originally the performances had a sacred character, as was clear from the offerings made at the beginning of the recitation and also from the content of the introductory part of the story, called rajah, which was an invocatory song, imploring the help of divine figures to ward off bad influences. The linguistic form of the pantun was not strictly fixed, however the dominant form employed in most pantun is the octosyllabic verse. For a detailed description of the nature and form of a Sundanese pantun you are referred to Eringa (1949), to Hermansoemantri (1977–79). [1] :10

Sundanese people ethnic group

The Sundanese are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the western part of the Indonesian island of Java. They number approximately 40 million, and form Indonesia's second most populous ethnic group, after the neighboring Javanese. In their language, Sundanese, the Sundanese refer to themselves as Urang Sunda, while Orang Sunda or Suku Sunda is its Indonesian equivalent.

The kacapi is a zither-like Sundanese musical instrument played as the main accompanying instrument in the Tembang Sunda or Mamaos Cianjuran, kacapi suling genre, pantun stories recitation or an additional instrument in Gamelan Degung performance.

Contents

Currently there are few Pantun Sunda shows performed, due to a decline in popularity of the form following the widespread introduction of radio and television in households throughout West Java. [2] [3]

Radio technology of using radio waves to carry information

Radio is the technology of signalling or communicating using radio waves. Radio waves are electromagnetic waves of frequency between 30 hertz (Hz) and 300 gigahertz (GHz). They are generated by an electronic device called a transmitter connected to an antenna which radiates the waves, and received by a radio receiver connected to another antenna. Radio is very widely used in modern technology, in radio communication, radar, radio navigation, remote control, remote sensing and other applications. In radio communication, used in radio and television broadcasting, cell phones, two-way radios, wireless networking and satellite communication among numerous other uses, radio waves are used to carry information across space from a transmitter to a receiver, by modulating the radio signal in the transmitter. In radar, used to locate and track objects like aircraft, ships, spacecraft and missiles, a beam of radio waves emitted by a radar transmitter reflects off the target object, and the reflected waves reveal the object's location. In radio navigation systems such as GPS and VOR, a mobile receiver receives radio signals from navigational radio beacons whose position is known, and by precisely measuring the arrival time of the radio waves the receiver can calculate its position on Earth. In wireless remote control devices like drones, garage door openers, and keyless entry systems, radio signals transmitted from a controller device control the actions of a remote device.

Television Telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images

Television (TV), sometimes shortened to tele or telly, is a telecommunication medium used for transmitting moving images in monochrome, or in color, and in two or three dimensions and sound. The term can refer to a television set, a television program, or the medium of television transmission. Television is a mass medium for advertising, entertainment and news.

West Java Province in Indonesia

West Java is a province of Indonesia. It is located in the western part of the island of Java and its capital and largest urban center is Bandung, although much of its population in the northwest corner of the province live in areas suburban to the larger urban area of Jakarta, though that city itself lies outside the administrative province. With a population of 46.3 million West Java is the most populous of Indonesia's provinces.

Transcription of pantun stories

Pantun, being oral texts, were not written down in the Sundanese literary tradition; only late in the nineteenth century were the first pantun put down in writing (in the beginning usually in cacarakan script) at the instigation of Western (Dutch) enthusiasts. After the establishment of Indonesia, Sundanese scholars made important contributions to the study of pantun, by publishing more oral texts as well as by critically investigating them. Special mention should be made of a project by Ajip Rosidi who in the early seventies had a considerable number of pantun recorded as they were performed by singers from various areas in West Java (see Rosidi 1973). The recorded pantun was transcribed and in stenciled form circulated in limited circle. Later on a number of them were published in book form, such as Mundinglaya di Kusumah (1986). An excellent study of the literally structure of the pantun was written by Hermansoemantri (1977–79); Kartini et al. (1984) wrote a useful comparative analysis on the plot of the pantun, based on a survey of 35 pantun stories. A valuable work on the musical aspects of pantun performances, based on extensive data collected in the field, was written by A. N. Weintraub (1990). [1] :11

Netherlands Constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Europe

The Netherlands is a country located mainly in Northwestern Europe. The European portion of the Netherlands consists of twelve separate provinces that border Germany to the east, Belgium to the south, and the North Sea to the northwest, with maritime borders in the North Sea with Belgium, Germany and the United Kingdom. Together with three island territories in the Caribbean Sea—Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba— it forms a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The official language is Dutch, but a secondary official language in the province of Friesland is West Frisian.

Indonesia Republic in Southeast Asia

Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia, between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It is the world's largest island country, with more than seventeen thousand islands, and at 1,904,569 square kilometres, the 14th largest by land area and the 7th largest in combined sea and land area. With over 261 million people, it is the world's 4th most populous country as well as the most populous Muslim-majority country. Java, the world's most populous island, is home to more than half of the country's population.

In the Sanghyang Siksakanda ng Karesian, dated 1518, pantun are mentioned: "hayang nyaho di pantun ma: Langgalarang, Banyakcatra, Siliwangi, Haturwangi, prepantun tanya" (if you want to know pantun, such as Langgalarang, Banyakcatra, siliwangi, Haturwangi, ask the pantun singer, Atja and Danasasmita 1981a:14). Throughout the ages many ancient elements have been preserved, even though the content of the stories told and the language used underwent changes and adaptations. Not only are there a number of Arabic words present in many pantun texts, which in pre-Islamic Old Sundanese text are lacking; the repertoire of present-day pantun singers include Islamic tales as is clear from the list in Weintraub (1990:23-4). [1] :11

List of pantun stories

Based on Budi Rahayu Tamsyah in his book Kamus Istilah Tata Basa jeung Sastra Sunda, there are pantun stories as follows: [4]

  1. Ciung Wanara
  2. Lutung Kasarung
  3. Mundinglaya di Kusumah
  4. Aria Munding Jamparing
  5. Banyakcatra
  6. Badak Sangorah
  7. Badak Singa
  8. Bima Manggala
  9. Bima Wayang
  10. Budak Manjor
  11. Budug Basu /Sri Sadana / Sulanjana
  12. Bujang Pangalasan
  13. Burung Baok
  14. Buyut Orenyeng
  15. Dalima Wayang
  16. Demung Kalagan
  17. Deugdeug Pati Jaya Perang / Raden Deugdeug Pati Jaya Perang Prabu Sandap Pakuan
  18. Gajah Lumantung
  19. Gantangan Wangi
  20. Hatur Wangi
  21. Jaka Susuruh
  22. Jalu Mantang
  23. Jaya Mangkurat
  24. Kembang Panyarikan / Pangeran Ratu Kembang Panyarikan
  25. Kidang Panandri
  26. Kidang Pananjung
  27. Kuda Gandar
  28. Kuda Lalean
  29. Kuda Malela
  30. Kuda Wangi
  31. Langla Larang
  32. Langga Sari
  33. Langon Sari
  34. Layung Kumendung
  35. Liman Jaya Mantri
  36. Lutung Leutik / Ratu Bungsu Karma Jaya
  37. Malang Sari
  38. Manggung Kusuma
  39. Matang Jaya
  40. Munding Jalingan
  41. Munding Kawangi
  42. Munding Kawati
  43. Munding Liman
  44. Munding Mintra
  45. Munding Sari Jaya Mantri
  46. Munding Wangi
  47. Nyi Sumur Bandung
  48. Paksi Keling / Wentang Gading
  49. Panambang Sari
  50. Panggung Karaton
  51. Parenggong Jaya
  52. Raden Mangprang di Kusumah
  53. Raden Tanjung
  54. Raden Tegal
  55. Rangga Sawung Galing
  56. Rangga Gading
  57. Rangga Katimpal
  58. Rangga Malela
  59. Rangga Sena
  60. Ratu Ayu
  61. Ratu Pakuan
  62. Ringgit Sari
  63. Senjaya Guru
  64. Siliwangi

Related Research Articles

Indonesian National Revolution armed conflict and diplomatic struggle between Indonesia and the Dutch Empire

The Indonesian National Revolution, or Indonesian War of Independence, was an armed conflict and diplomatic struggle between the Republic of Indonesia and the Dutch Empire and an internal social revolution during postwar and postcolonial Indonesia. It took place between Indonesia's declaration of independence in 1945 and the Netherlands' recognition of Indonesia's independence at the end of 1949.

Majapahit empire based on the island of Java from 1293 to around 1500

The Majapahit Empire was a thalassocracy in Southeast Asia, based on the island of Java, that existed from 1293 to circa 1500. Majapahit reached its peak of glory during the era of Hayam Wuruk, whose reign from 1350 to 1389 was marked by conquest which extended through Southeast Asia. His achievement is also credited to his prime minister, Gajah Mada. According to the Nagarakretagama (Desawarñana) written in 1365, Majapahit was an empire of 98 tributaries, stretching from Sumatra to New Guinea; consisting of present-day Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, southern Thailand, East Timor, Sulu Archipelago and other parts of the Philippines, although the true nature of Majapahit sphere of influence is still the subject of studies among historians.

Nyai Roro Kidul Indonesian goddess of the sea

Nyai Loro Kidul is an Indonesian goddess of the sea. She is the Queen of the Southern Sea in Javanese and Sundanese mythology.

Sukabumi Regency Regency in West Java, Indonesia

Sukabumi Regency is a regency (kabupaten) in southwestern Java, as part of West Java province of Indonesia. The regency seat is located in Palabuhan Ratu, a coastal district facing the Indian Ocean. The regency fully encircles the administratively separated city of Sukabumi. Covering an area of 4,161.00 km2, the regency is the largest regency in West Java and the second largest regency Java after the Banyuwangi Regency in East Java. The regency has a population of 2,434,221 with a large part of it living in the northeastern part of the regency that encircles Sukabumi City, south of Mount Gede. A plan to create a new regency, the North Sukabumi Regency is currently waiting for the approval of the central government.

Indonesian literature

Indonesian literature, is a term grouping various genres of South-East Asian literature.

Salakanagara kingdom is the first historically recorded Indianised kingdom in Western Java This Kingdom existed between 130-362 AD. A relatively modern literature in the 17th century Pustaka Rajya Rajya i Bhumi Nusantara describes salakanagara as being founded by an Indian merchant. However no historical records affirms this modern writeup on the ancient kingdom.

Ciung Wanara is a legend among Sundanese people, Indonesia. The folklore tell the legend of Sunda Galuh kingdom, the origin of Pamali River's name as well as describe the cultural ties between Sundanese and Javanese living in western part of Central Java province.

Sunda Kingdom Former kingdom in Indonesia

The Sunda Kingdom was a Sundanese Hindu kingdom located in the western portion of the island of Java from 669 to around 1579, covering the area of present-day Banten, Jakarta, West Java, and the western part of Central Java. The capital of Sunda Kingdom has moved for several times during its history; shifted between Galuh (Kawali) area in the east and Pakuan Pajajaran in the west.

Pakuan Pajajaran

Pakuan Pajajaran was the fortified capital city of Sunda kingdom. The location is roughly corresponds to modern Bogor city in West Java, Indonesia, approximately around the site of Batu Tulis. The site is revered as the spiritual home of Sundanese people as it contains much of shared identity and history of Sundanese people.

Sri Baduga Maharaja or Sang Ratu Jayadewata was the great king of the Hindu Sunda kingdom in West Java, reigned 1482 to 1521 from his capital in Pakuan Pajajaran. He brought his kingdom greatness and prosperity.

Index of Indonesia-related articles

The following is an alphabetical list of topics related to the Republic of Indonesia.

The Battle of Bubat also known as Pasunda Bubat is the battle between the Sundanese royal family and Majapahit army that took place in Bubat square on the northern part of Trowulan in 1279 Saka or 1357 CE.

Ajip Rosidi author

Ajip Rosidi is an Indonesian poet and short story writer. As of 1983 he has published 326 works in 22 different magazines.

Amir Hamzah Indonesian poet

Tengku Amir Hamzah was an Indonesian poet and National Hero of Indonesia. Born into a Malay aristocratic family in the Sultanate of Langkat in North Sumatra, he was educated in both Sumatra and Java. While attending senior high school in Surakarta around 1930, the youth became involved with the nationalist movement and fell in love with a Javanese schoolmate, Ilik Sundari. Even after Amir continued his studies in legal school in Batavia the two remained close, only separating in 1937 when Amir was recalled to Sumatra to marry the sultan's daughter and take on responsibilities of the court. Though unhappy with his marriage, he fulfilled his courtly duties. After Indonesia proclaimed its independence in 1945, he served as the government's representative in Langkat. The following year he was killed in a socialist revolution led by the Communist Party of Indonesia and buried in a mass grave.

King Siliwangi

King Siliwangi or Prabu Siliwangi was a semi-legendary great king of the Hindu Sunda kingdom prior to the coming of Islam in West Java.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Noorduyn, J. (2006). Three Old Sundanese poems. KITLV Press.
  2. Sunda [ permanent dead link ]
  3. "Indonesian Classical Music from Sunda". www.asianclassicalmp3.org.
  4. Tamsyah, Budi Rahayu (1999). Kamus Istilah Tata Basa jeung Sastra Sunda. Pustaka Setia. pp. 175–176.