The translationseaweedsJanuary 14 2009, 11:33:20 UTC
Firstly, one needs to understand what this form of literature ie: "Dikir Barat" actually is.
It is a poetic debate between two parties and each side square off verse after verse. So the first two lines are usually "filler" lines with references to classical malay legends. They may or may not be of direct relation to the last two lines of each verse which would be the "reply" to the previous verse's last two lines.
Much will be lost if a direct translation is used, so I have used a contextual approach instead:
Bermohon sembah sembah berhajat Hajat berasal kayangan puri Hamba puteri imbas berempat Turun bermalam serata negeri
I pray with the intent of petition, This prayerful petition originates from the realm of the heavens, I, maidservant of the princess, receives a vision whilst on all fours (in humble prayer), Of descending for the night to visit the whole country. ("descending" because as a servant of the princess, she is usually permanently in the palace high on the hills removed from the low country)
Re: The translationseaweedsJanuary 18 2009, 11:44:37 UTC
a lonely maidservant pining for her own life and love and seeking to leave indentured service to the palace ...
is a very common theme set in the bygone era of many cultures where monarchs held absolute rule and would indenture or "purchase" palace workers who lived in a "guilded cage" of the palace but with very little or no freedom.
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It is a poetic debate between two parties and each side square off verse after verse. So the first two lines are usually "filler" lines with references to classical malay legends. They may or may not be of direct relation to the last two lines of each verse which would be the "reply" to the previous verse's last two lines.
Much will be lost if a direct translation is used, so I have used a contextual approach instead:
Bermohon sembah sembah berhajat
Hajat berasal kayangan puri
Hamba puteri imbas berempat
Turun bermalam serata negeri
I pray with the intent of petition,
This prayerful petition originates from the realm of the heavens,
I, maidservant of the princess, receives a vision whilst on all fours (in humble prayer),
Of descending for the night to visit the whole country. ("descending" because as a servant of the princess, she is usually permanently in the palace high on the hills removed from the low country)
Sungguh terdengar ( ... )
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However, I am a bit lost still... what is the song about? Two lovers bickering? Hahaha...
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is a very common theme set in the bygone era of many cultures where monarchs held absolute rule and would indenture or "purchase" palace workers who lived in a "guilded cage" of the palace but with very little or no freedom.
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dikir = contraction from "dikir barat" the name of this kind of poetry.
gegegegege
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