This is a story of a friend attending a Malay wedding with a Japanese tourist.
See how two customs deliver their "buahtangan"
“Ari atu saya ke rumah orang kahwin sama seorang Jepun” Ia memulakan cerita.
“Sebelum kami pergi orang Jepun atu betanya apa patut ia buat di majlis atu. Apa pakaian dipakai. Saya pun memberitahu serba sedikit majlis perkahwinan orang Melayu” Saya terus mendengar.
“Saya membari tahu teman Jepun atu, bila ke majlis orang kahwin biasanya tamu yang datang dijamu. Sebelum jamuan ada ziarah keluarga pengantin. Mun pengantin lelaki, pengantin atu sendiri ikut sama berziarah. Mun pengantin perempuan keluarganya saja yang berziarah. Selesai berziarah baru sama-sama mengaminkan doa selamat”
“Orang Jepun atu bertanya apa perlu dibawa. Jika ada derma berapa harus diberi. Atau bolehkah membawa hadiah ? Kawan saya jawab, dua dua boleh. Bawa hadiah pun boleh, menghulurkan wang pun boleh.”
“Mun menghulurkan derma atu seangkat-angkat hati. Maknanya berapa saja yang digerakkan hati. Kalau dalam keadaan biasa, dua puluh ringgit atu manasabah. Jika lebih terpulang pada buget” Si kawan atu terus becerita pengalamannya menyampaikan maklumat pada orang Jepun. Ia mengambil nafas sebentar. Ani peluang saya bertanya.
“Ada apa-apa yang inda kena ?
Kawan saya atu senyum saja. “Saya memerhatikan cara orang Jepun atu bersalam. Ia berdiri kemudian membongkok sedikit. Lapas atu baru ia mengunjuk dermanya.” Kawan saya terus bercerita.
“Biasa jua orang Jepun membari hormat cam atu. Kenapakan ? Dermanya beribu-ribu ringgitkah ?” Saya mencelah.
“Nah cuba Aji liat cara Jepun ani besalam. Ia berdiri, kemudian tunduk sedikit, bersalam. Lapas atu baru ia menyampaikan buah tangannya. Cuba Aji bandingkan dengan cara orang kitani menyampaikan derma”
Saya inda tau apa yang dimaksudkan oleh teman pencen saya. Lain sekali penelitiannya. Mungkin ani yang menjadi fokas ceritanya.
“Sama jua kitani macam Jepun atu. Besalam dan menyampaikan derma” ulas saya pendek.
“Inda sama Ji. Orang Jepun terang-terangan menyampaikan derma. Kitani mengunjuk sarung surat cara berselindung di sebalik salam”
Rupanya atu yang hendak disampaikan oleh teman pencen atu. Soalnya, apa isunya ? Saya memandang mukanya minta penjelasan. Ia mengerti.
“Saya concern mengenai cara orang kitani menyampaikan sarung surat derma atu bah. Mungkin saya terpengaruh dengan iklan anti rasuah”
Di sana rupanya puncak cerita si kawan pencen ani. Artinya ia takut budaya bersalam sambil mengunjuk sampul surat derma atu menyamai cara-cara orang memberi rasuah. Ia mahu telus. Salam dulu baru unjukkan derma.
Monday, May 25, 2009
MANILA POLICE
Hari Ulangtahun Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei pada 31hb Mei mengingatkan saya pada soal senjata. Dan ini pula ada kaitannya dengan sebuah berita dalam akhbar baharu-baharu ini yang melaporkan sembilan puluh peratus dari anggota polis di Manila tidak cekap menembak. Ertinya sasarannya sering tidak mengena.
Saya tidak pernah memegang pistol kerana tidak ada kepentingannya. Saya hanya melihat pelbagai jenis pistol melalui gambar dan cerita-cerita wayang. Payahkah menuju sasaran ? Mungkin juga. Awda pasti pernah melihat cerita-cerita wayang di mana adu tenaga menggunakan pistol. Tidak kira cerita itu wayang Hindustan, wayang Melayu, wayang Filipina atau wayang orang putih, setiap kali ada pertelagahan menggunakan pistol, jarang mangsa rebah dengan sekali tembak. Mesti ada tembak menembak dulu sebelum ada yang menjadi mangsa. Tidak tahulah sama ada babak itu senghaja dipanjangkan bagi menimbulkan rasa cemas penonton atau memang bagitu keadaannya; payah untuk menumbangkan sasaran dengan menggunakan pistol. Malah ada babak di mana jarak penembak dengan sasaran bagitu dekat. Oleh kerana orang yang ditembak itu adalah hero dalam cerita, ia tidak cedera. Kalaupun cedera, sasarannya sipi dan hanya mengena pada anggota badan yang tidak membahayakan. Saya tidak tahu kepantasan peluru keluar dari muncong pistol. Tapi bagitulah, ada kalanya seorang hero mampu mengelak tembakan pistol waima dari jarak dekat.
Berlainan dengan cerita-cerita koboi pada zaman dulu. Kepantasan menembak menjadi penentu samada seorang itu seorang hero atau sebaliknya. Sebarang pertelagahan atau dispute ditentukan dengan aksi pantas mencapai pistol dan menembak musuh. Lihat betapa kemampuan seorang koboi menewaskan lawannya. Walau mereka melangkah dua tiga tapak, bila mereka segera menoleh secara berdepan, mereka mampu menggunakan pistol secara tepat dan cepat. Sesudah itu pistol diputar-putarkan dan disarongkan di pinggang.
Saya tidak pernah memegang pistol kerana tidak ada kepentingannya. Saya hanya melihat pelbagai jenis pistol melalui gambar dan cerita-cerita wayang. Payahkah menuju sasaran ? Mungkin juga. Awda pasti pernah melihat cerita-cerita wayang di mana adu tenaga menggunakan pistol. Tidak kira cerita itu wayang Hindustan, wayang Melayu, wayang Filipina atau wayang orang putih, setiap kali ada pertelagahan menggunakan pistol, jarang mangsa rebah dengan sekali tembak. Mesti ada tembak menembak dulu sebelum ada yang menjadi mangsa. Tidak tahulah sama ada babak itu senghaja dipanjangkan bagi menimbulkan rasa cemas penonton atau memang bagitu keadaannya; payah untuk menumbangkan sasaran dengan menggunakan pistol. Malah ada babak di mana jarak penembak dengan sasaran bagitu dekat. Oleh kerana orang yang ditembak itu adalah hero dalam cerita, ia tidak cedera. Kalaupun cedera, sasarannya sipi dan hanya mengena pada anggota badan yang tidak membahayakan. Saya tidak tahu kepantasan peluru keluar dari muncong pistol. Tapi bagitulah, ada kalanya seorang hero mampu mengelak tembakan pistol waima dari jarak dekat.
Berlainan dengan cerita-cerita koboi pada zaman dulu. Kepantasan menembak menjadi penentu samada seorang itu seorang hero atau sebaliknya. Sebarang pertelagahan atau dispute ditentukan dengan aksi pantas mencapai pistol dan menembak musuh. Lihat betapa kemampuan seorang koboi menewaskan lawannya. Walau mereka melangkah dua tiga tapak, bila mereka segera menoleh secara berdepan, mereka mampu menggunakan pistol secara tepat dan cepat. Sesudah itu pistol diputar-putarkan dan disarongkan di pinggang.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
INDONESIAN MAID
Today is the departure of our Indonesian maid (amah) . Officially she was my son’s maid. But occasionally she came to my house to help cleaning my rooms and backyards. Of course we paid for the service besides her getting the monthly salary from my son.
We were a bit sad to see her leaving us. She was a good maid. Not that she didn’t want to continue working in Brunei after four years with us. But she told us, her children want her to be with them. She has two children below five years old. This is a big consideration. As ordinary people from remote kampong in Jawa (she said she had to travel by bus almost 2 days from Jakarta before arriving at her home) she needs money. But family comes first. So reluctantly she said she wanted a break. So this was a departure for good. We promised her, we would welcome her if she decides to come to Brunei again.
The maid brought back four bags. One of the bag contained chocolates and food stuff for her children. I was sure the baggage would be excess. But we just cannot say anything. I can imagine when she arrives at home. Every family member would be waiting for her for any small gifts; gifts from Brunei.
At airport, my cucu cries for our maid. We told her, untie is going back to be with her children in Indonesia, to work in bendang. My cucu said she wanted to go with untie to bendang. She kept on crying and didn’t want to let go our maid. The younger sister also cried. She wanted our maid to cradle her. This is understandable. The maid came four years ago when the older cucu was two month old. The younger one was in her upbringing since her birth.
We hoped our maid would be safe in her journey back to be together with her family in Indonesia.
We were a bit sad to see her leaving us. She was a good maid. Not that she didn’t want to continue working in Brunei after four years with us. But she told us, her children want her to be with them. She has two children below five years old. This is a big consideration. As ordinary people from remote kampong in Jawa (she said she had to travel by bus almost 2 days from Jakarta before arriving at her home) she needs money. But family comes first. So reluctantly she said she wanted a break. So this was a departure for good. We promised her, we would welcome her if she decides to come to Brunei again.
The maid brought back four bags. One of the bag contained chocolates and food stuff for her children. I was sure the baggage would be excess. But we just cannot say anything. I can imagine when she arrives at home. Every family member would be waiting for her for any small gifts; gifts from Brunei.
At airport, my cucu cries for our maid. We told her, untie is going back to be with her children in Indonesia, to work in bendang. My cucu said she wanted to go with untie to bendang. She kept on crying and didn’t want to let go our maid. The younger sister also cried. She wanted our maid to cradle her. This is understandable. The maid came four years ago when the older cucu was two month old. The younger one was in her upbringing since her birth.
We hoped our maid would be safe in her journey back to be together with her family in Indonesia.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
BAJAU
There is a local Brunei perambahan “Kaya-Kaya Bajau.” If we refer to race distribution in Brunei, Bajau is not mention as indigenous group. Bajau is one of the 30 different ethnic races in Sabah with over 80 local dialects. The Bajaus are known for their many skills, from farming rice to rearing water buffaloes and making boats to riding horses. They are established mostly in Sabah’s coastlines, near the sea which is a central part of their culture. A peaceful lot, the Bajaus often put on shows demonstrating their awesome skill in horse-riding and handling for visitors during the annual ‘Tamu Besar’ Festival in Kota Belud.Sabah
But why Kaya-Kaya Bajau ? This is something to do with observation by old generation when Sabah was part of Brunei Empire. According to abis orang tetua the Bajaus have a unique habit: If they have money they’ll spend until no more in their hands. If somebody has the same habit (though he’s is not a Bajau) that person would be called Kaya-Kaya Bajau. Are the Bajaus have this habit in this modern days? Not likely nowadays. Some are rich and prosperous with lot of share in big establishments and money in banks. So what perumpamaan we’re to refer when confronting this group of people who spend vigorously until they’re broke ?
But why Kaya-Kaya Bajau ? This is something to do with observation by old generation when Sabah was part of Brunei Empire. According to abis orang tetua the Bajaus have a unique habit: If they have money they’ll spend until no more in their hands. If somebody has the same habit (though he’s is not a Bajau) that person would be called Kaya-Kaya Bajau. Are the Bajaus have this habit in this modern days? Not likely nowadays. Some are rich and prosperous with lot of share in big establishments and money in banks. So what perumpamaan we’re to refer when confronting this group of people who spend vigorously until they’re broke ?
Sunday, May 3, 2009
MENJEJAK KAMPUNG
Menjejak Kampung just concluded this afternoon. Kongru to organizers. As mantan RTB staff, I went for the visit on the 1st and 2 day. I manage to jot down a few stories for my Katak Atas Tempurung column. I cannot squeeze my time on 3 day (today). but did tune to Harmoni FM this afternoon. Must be syok when Mukun was held at kampung. I could imagine DJ-DJ and orang kampong went for the joget dance on stage.
Yesterday I was interviewed life on National FM (if I was not mistaken). The DJ asked me to comment on language spoken by Radio DJ. My understanding was the Malay usage. Well, I know they have a tough time. Just imagine how many words they utter in one hour… in a day. It should be 100 perfect. No mistake, no error. That’s what their stakeholders want.
But I was a bit “girigitan” when DJ makes simple mistakes. Examples – mereka-mereka when referring to many people. Mereka is already plural. Why repeat mereka-mereka. Some cannot differentiate between “pedalaman” and “pendalaman” Pedalaman is interior – and don’t be mistaken with pendalaman which means to deepen. The difference is only on “n” . One with “n” and another without “n”.
Another phrase which is supposed to be a doa. Semoga awda sampai ke distinasi yang dituju. Distinasi is enough. Distinasi means the place u want to go. Don’t repeat.
Yesterday I was interviewed life on National FM (if I was not mistaken). The DJ asked me to comment on language spoken by Radio DJ. My understanding was the Malay usage. Well, I know they have a tough time. Just imagine how many words they utter in one hour… in a day. It should be 100 perfect. No mistake, no error. That’s what their stakeholders want.
But I was a bit “girigitan” when DJ makes simple mistakes. Examples – mereka-mereka when referring to many people. Mereka is already plural. Why repeat mereka-mereka. Some cannot differentiate between “pedalaman” and “pendalaman” Pedalaman is interior – and don’t be mistaken with pendalaman which means to deepen. The difference is only on “n” . One with “n” and another without “n”.
Another phrase which is supposed to be a doa. Semoga awda sampai ke distinasi yang dituju. Distinasi is enough. Distinasi means the place u want to go. Don’t repeat.
ON "MELAYU"
I’m reading a book, Saya Pun Melayu by Zaid Ibrahim.
I also read Ke Luar Jendela by Dato Hassan Ahamd.
…and Blogging To Unblock by Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
These writers talk about Melayu.
Last month I attended a forum organized by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Brunei.
The speakers talked about Bahasa Melayu linked to SPN 21.
“Melayu Rojak” is the inn thing, they said…. And they were worried.
I also attended a forum on Adat Istiadat Diraja Brunei
I came across various blogs that touched on Melayu.
It made me confused
Last month I sit in front of TV when Malaysia PM announced his new Cabinet.
Reading Saya Pun Melayu my mind went back to yesteryears in 60ies when I was in STAR
The harmonious environment of rural Malay students…
I remember Chegu Roslan Ahmad teaching us Malay, sometimes talk in English,
And Mr Lee teaching English giving examples of poor rural Malay families.
My mind flies to late 50ies, when I was in Darjah Enam.
Those years, I bought exercise books from PGGMB shop. The cover was the map of Persekutuan Tanah Melayu.
I seldom see the words again.
Except when travel by train from Johor Bharu to Kangar or Kota Baru
There is train named Keretapi Tanah Melayu.
Where are those words, Tanah Melayu ?
My prayer that Melayu stay permanently in Brunei.
with Melayu Islam Beraja.
I also read Ke Luar Jendela by Dato Hassan Ahamd.
…and Blogging To Unblock by Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
These writers talk about Melayu.
Last month I attended a forum organized by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Brunei.
The speakers talked about Bahasa Melayu linked to SPN 21.
“Melayu Rojak” is the inn thing, they said…. And they were worried.
I also attended a forum on Adat Istiadat Diraja Brunei
I came across various blogs that touched on Melayu.
It made me confused
Last month I sit in front of TV when Malaysia PM announced his new Cabinet.
Reading Saya Pun Melayu my mind went back to yesteryears in 60ies when I was in STAR
The harmonious environment of rural Malay students…
I remember Chegu Roslan Ahmad teaching us Malay, sometimes talk in English,
And Mr Lee teaching English giving examples of poor rural Malay families.
My mind flies to late 50ies, when I was in Darjah Enam.
Those years, I bought exercise books from PGGMB shop. The cover was the map of Persekutuan Tanah Melayu.
I seldom see the words again.
Except when travel by train from Johor Bharu to Kangar or Kota Baru
There is train named Keretapi Tanah Melayu.
Where are those words, Tanah Melayu ?
My prayer that Melayu stay permanently in Brunei.
with Melayu Islam Beraja.
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