Friday, July 10, 2009

NOSTALGIA MINANGKABAU




"Ikolah Indang oi Sungai Garinggiang
Kami tarikan basamo-samo.
Sambuiklah salam oi sambah mairiang
Pado dun sanak alek nan tibo . . . ."

The above, for those uninitiated, is sung in the Minangkabau dialect of Western Sumatera. hearing it brings back memories (and tears) of my roots. My parents came from Muara Labuoh, a small village right in the mountain range, about 90 km from Padang, the capital city of the region. I used to hear my parents speaking with their friends in the dialect. Unfortunately, the children did not inherit the ability. Hearing the above song reminds me of my late parents especially of my father who was a true-blue Minangkabau through and through. May they rest in peace and be blessed. I miss them.
Translation of the above song (according to me!) :
"This is the Indang dance from Sungai Geringging (name of a village)
We danced together
Please accept our welcome
To all our guests attending our celebration . . "
Well something like that lah.

7 comments:

Naz in Norway said...

Kak N,
Believe or not...my kids could do this dance..haha! kelakar betul. In my wanting them to learn their Malay heritage, I have taught them the steps here in the living room. We had a lot of fun :D

Hjh Nazli Abbas said...

Hi Naz,

Alamak, great minds think alike! I like this song very much, still trying to figure out the movements so as to teach the makcik-makcik and nenek-nenek in my aerobic class. They will do it sitting on chairs of course, ramai sakit lutut!

Great job with your kids, Naz. Someday your family can do a performance of the dance somewhere in Norway? Dindin ba dindin oiii . .Kelakar ye.

louis said...

Thanks for this video of another facet of your culture. I have bookmarked it and will be enjoying the charming dance again and again.

Hjh Nazli Abbas said...

Hi Louis,

Thanks for visiting. I knew you'd like this video. Do enjoy it!

Temuk said...

Amat menghiburkan. Terima kasih. Salam bahagia.

Hjh Nazli Abbas said...

Sama-sama Temuk. Kita hendaklah sentiasa terhibur.

Terima kasih sudi singgah sini.

Unknown said...

Thank you for sharing these beautiful memories. I find your blog entertaining and thoughtful. Msg from Miki