In this two part article, ninotaziz attempts to explain the fascination the francophone world had with the Malay pantun and its bid to popularize it. Despite approval from the most renowned and respected poets in the literary world, the form sadly failed to take the world by storm. Yet in its beauty, nuggets of the Malay thought and culture survived 500 years of subtle resilience and quiet grace.
Part I
Jikalau
tidak karna bintang
Masakan bulan
terbit tinggi
Jikalau
tidak karna abang
Masakan
datang adek ke-mari
If not for
the stars above
Why would
the moon venture high
If not for
you, my only love
Why would I
venture nigh…
Read on here...
