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A BRIEF TUTORIAL ON THE PANTUN

The Pandan Island is far from land
   Three peaks has the Daik Mountain
Though the body has rot in the sand
   The good deeds are never forgotten.
 
 

1.0 Introduction

The pantun (pronounced pun-tone) is believed to be uniquely Malay in origin.  It is the most popular Malay traditional poetry genre and is still very much alive today, playing important roles at occassions like weddings and other formal functions.  Many old-age pantuns are learned by-heart and can be fluently quoted by the Malays.

 

2.0 Structure

The pantun is different and interesting because of its unique structure.

 

2.1 Pantuns have even number of lines, the most popular being four-line pantuns.  Two-line pantuns are generally old pantuns which has been passed-down for generations.  There are also six-line pantuns and eight-line ones (both not very common and seldom written nowadays).

 

2.2 Four-line pantuns. 

For the purpose of this discussion, we will focus on the four-line pantuns.

 

2.2.1 The pantun must satisfy the following structural conditions:

 

(a)  The lines of the pantun must rhyme in alternate line position and on the last word, i.e. the last word of the first line must rhyme with the last word of the third line; the last word of the second line must rhyme with the last word of the fourth line. The rhyme is described as a-b-a-b.

 

(b)   Each line must be made of 8 to 12 syllabi or words parts (the best being 9 or 10). The number of words is immaterial.

 

Here is an example (a traditional love pantun in Malay).  Note the rhyming alternate lines:

 

Dua tiga kucing berlari
    Manakan sama kucing belang
Dua tiga boleh kucari
   Manakan sama puan seorang

 

2.2.2 The message that the pantun carries is contained in the second half, i.e. the last two lines. The first two lines simply act as the lead (or indicator) as to what is coming.  The most important role of the indicator is simply to serve as the "rhymer".  In the better pantuns, it also provides an indication of what message is contained in the last two lines.

 

The first two lines do make sense in themselves but have no relationship in meaning with the second half of the pantun.

 

This is the English translation of the above pantun (not retaining the rhyme):

 

Two or three cats a running
   They are not comparable to the cat with stripes
Two or three (people) I can find
   But there are not comparable to you.

Let us try to write a proper pantun (with the necessary rhyme) out of this:


Two or three cats are running on the land
   The cat with stripes is superior
Two or three (people) I can easily find
   But not comparable to you, my dear.

 
3.0 Composing A Pantun
You start by writing the last two lines to make your point (the message), thereafter you compose the first two lines to rhyme with the last two lines (normally you would use elements of nature for this). The first half and the second half of the pantun must NOT be continuous in meaning.
 
Eg., I want to tell a girl that I like her because of her sweet smile. I would start by writing the last two sentences of the pantun. This would be the "message" part of the pantun:
 
I like you, girl, you're beautiful
   Your smile is heaven to my two eyes.
 
Then I would compose the first two "indicator" or "rhymer" lines. Say, I use flowers:
 
Roses and daisies are plentiful
   Their beauties would in the morning rise

 Then I get the complete pantun by joining the rhymer and the message:
 
Roses and daisies are plentiful
   Their beauties would in the morning rise
I like you, girl, you're beautiful
   Your smile is heaven to my two eyes.

3.4 Visual Form
The pantuns are usually written as shown in the examples above, ie. left-justified with the second and fourth lines indented.

 

Drirwan/5.10.06