Pantun Sunda
Encyclopedia
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 used to be recited during an evening-length performance. A single performer relates the tales 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 memories of historical events the stories often contain mythical elements. Pantun were not written down, the bards often being illiterate, in many case blind. Originally they had a sacral character, as was clear from the offerings, until recently made at the beginning of the recitation and also from the content of the introductory part of the story, called rajah; this was an invocatory song, imploring the help of divine figures to ward off bad influences. The form of the pantun was not strictly fixed; however, the dominant language from employed in most pantun was 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).
Currently there are not so many Pantun Sunda shows because there is no regeneration for reserving the music genre especially when radio
has been a household appliance in West Java
.
literally tradition; only late in the nineteenth century were the first pantun put down in writing, at first mainly on the initiative or instigation of Western (Dutch
) person, in the beginning usually in cacarakan script. 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).
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).
Sundanese people
The Sundanese are an ethnic group native to the western part of the Indonesian island of Java. They number approximately 31 million, and are the second most populous of all the nation's ethncities. The Sundanese are predominantly Muslim...
oral narrative performance interspersed with songs and music played on a kacapi
Kacapi
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.Word kacapi in Sundanese also refers to santol tree,...
, a kind of zither. A pantun used to be recited during an evening-length performance. A single performer relates the tales 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 memories of historical events the stories often contain mythical elements. Pantun were not written down, the bards often being illiterate, in many case blind. Originally they had a sacral character, as was clear from the offerings, until recently made at the beginning of the recitation and also from the content of the introductory part of the story, called rajah; this was an invocatory song, imploring the help of divine figures to ward off bad influences. The form of the pantun was not strictly fixed; however, the dominant language from employed in most pantun was 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).
Currently there are not so many Pantun Sunda shows because there is no regeneration for reserving the music genre especially when radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
has been a household appliance in West Java
West Java
West Java , with a population of over 43 million, is the most populous and most densely populated province of Indonesia. Located on the island of Java, it is slightly smaller in area than densely populated Taiwan, but with nearly double the population...
.
Transcription of pantun stories
Pantun being typically oral text, they were not written down in the SundaneseSundanese people
The Sundanese are an ethnic group native to the western part of the Indonesian island of Java. They number approximately 31 million, and are the second most populous of all the nation's ethncities. The Sundanese are predominantly Muslim...
literally tradition; only late in the nineteenth century were the first pantun put down in writing, at first mainly on the initiative or instigation of Western (Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
) person, in the beginning usually in cacarakan script. After the establishment of Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
, Sundanese
Sundanese people
The Sundanese are an ethnic group native to the western part of the Indonesian island of Java. They number approximately 31 million, and are the second most populous of all the nation's ethncities. The Sundanese are predominantly Muslim...
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
West Java
West Java , with a population of over 43 million, is the most populous and most densely populated province of Indonesia. Located on the island of Java, it is slightly smaller in area than densely populated Taiwan, but with nearly double the population...
(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).
In the Sanghyang Siksakanda ng Karesian
Sanghyang Siksakanda ng Karesian
Sanghyang siksakanda ng karesian is a didactic text, providing the reader with all kinds of religious and moralistic rules, prescriptions and lessons. The title means something like “Book of rules for the state of resi ”. This texts is preserved in the National Library in Jakarta and identified as...
, 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).
List of Pantun Stories
Based on Budi Rahayu Tamsyah in his book "Kamus Istilah Tata Basa jeung Sastra Sunda", there are pantun stories as follow- Ciung WanaraCiung WanaraCiung Wanara is a legend among Sundanese people, Indonesia. The legend is history record of Sunda Galuh kingdom. The legend describe the culture tie between Sundanese and Javanese living in western part of Central Java province.-Source:...
- Lutung KasarungLutung KasarungLutung Kasarung is a Sundanese folklore from West Java, Indonesia. Set in the Pasir Batang kingdom, it tells the tale of a magical lutung who helped a beautiful princess, Purbasari Ayuwangi, when her older sister attempted to rob her of her status as crown princess.The theme and moral of the...
- Mundinglaya di Kusumah
- Aria Munding Jamparing
- Banyakcatra
- Badak Sangorah
- Badak Singa
- Bima Manggala
- Bima Wayang
- Budak Manjor
- Budug Basu /Sri Sadana / Sulanjana
- Bujang Pangalasan
- Burung Baok
- Buyut Orenyeng
- Dalima Wayang
- Demung Kalagan
- Deugdeug Pati Jaya Perang / Raden Deugdeug Pati Jaya Perang Prabu Sandap Pakuan
- Gajah Lumantung
- Gantangan Wangi
- Hatur Wangi
- Jaka Susuruh
- Jalu Mantang
- Jaya Mangkurat
- Kembang Panyarikan / Pangeran Ratu Kembang Panyarikan
- Kidang Panandri
- Kidang Pananjung
- Kuda Gandar
- Kuda Lalean
- Kuda Malela
- Kuda Wangi
- Langla Larang
- Langga Sari
- Langon Sari
- Layung Kumendung
- Liman Jaya Mantri
- Lutung Leutik / Ratu Bungsu Karma Jaya
- Malang Sari
- Manggung Kusuma
- Matang Jaya
- Munding Jalingan
- Munding Kawangi
- Munding Kawati
- Munding Liman
- Munding Mintra
- Munding Sari Jaya Mantri
- Munding Wangi
- Nyi Sumur Bandung
- Paksi Keling / Wentang Gading
- Panambang Sari
- Panggung Karaton
- Parenggong Jaya
- Raden Mangprang di Kusumah
- Raden Tanjung
- Raden Tegal
- Rangga Sawung Galing
- Rangga Gading
- Rangga Katimpal
- Rangga Malela
- Rangga Sena
- Ratu Ayu
- Ratu Pakuan
- Ringgit Sari
- Senjaya Guru
- Siliwangi