FLIN 421 – Indonesian Literature

Gurindam & Wangsalan

 

Gurindam (2 line pantun):

 

kura-kura dalam perahu pura-pura tidak tahu	A turtle in a boat Pretending not to know
siakap senohong gelama ikan duri bercakap bohong lama mencuri	(various kinds of fish) If you speak lies, eventually you’ll steal
Sudah gaharu cendana pula Sudah tahu bertanya pula	After a joss stick, sandalwood also Already knowing, still asking

 

 

Wangsalan (Javanese proverbs)

 

Roning mlinjo Sampun sayah nyuwun ngaso	Leaf of mlinjo plant = so (name of the leaf) Already tired, asking for rest
Jenang gula Sing lali den elingna	Porridge sugar = glali = melted sugar Those who forget should be reminded
Roning kamal Mumpung anom megurua	Leaf of tamarind = sinom (name of the leaf) Take advantage of being young to learn

 

 

Wangsalan in macapat (Javanese poetry)

 

Jirak pindha munggwing wana   Sayèng kaga, wé rekta kang muroni   Sinambi kalané nganggur   Wastra tumrap mastaka   Pangiketé wangsalan kang sekar Pangkur   Baon sabin ing nawala   Kinarya langen pribadi

A kind of plant growing in the forest [= kesambi (forest plant)]   A bird trap [ = kala], red water which is enjoyed [= anggur ( wine)]   At the time when we are idle   A cloth for the head [= iket (turban)]   It suffices for me to compose a song in Pangkur meter   Several “bau” of rice field [= karya (unit of 4 “bau”)]   For my own enjoyment.

 

 

Wangsalan as a signal for a particular piece of music in wayang

 

(the dalang says: ) “…sinambi miyarhaksen yuda kanaka.”  = “...while listening to the fight with fingernails”

 

yuda kanaka / “fight with fingernails” =  kukur-kukur “scratching”

 

The gamelan knows to play the song “Pangkur.”