Cultural and Linguistic Reconnoitre of the Traditional Rhythmic Quatrains (Mukun) among Malays in Sarawak (Penelitian Budaya dan Linguistik terhadap Pantun Berirama Tradisional (Mukun) dalam Kalangan Masyarakat Melayu di Sarawak)

Sheela Faizura Nik Fauzi, Awang Rozaimie, Aiza Johari

Abstract


ABSTRACT


This ethnolinguistic study examines the linguistic context of bermukun, a traditional musical dance and rhythmic quatrains performance among the Malays of Sarawak. The cultural linguistic framework of the rhythmic quatrains (pantun or mukun) emphasises the dynamic relationship between language utilisation and cultural identity. This paper seeks to elucidate how language mirrors and shapes the cultural identity of Malays in Sarawak through a thorough examination of textual sources utilising the critical discourse analysis (CDA) paradigm. Three hundred sixty-seven mukun were extracted from bermukun-related publications to examine metaphors, idiomatic expressions, and narrative frameworks in mukun, explore the socio-cultural values inherent in these linguistic elements, and evaluate the influence of linguistic choices on the preservation and transmission of cultural identity. The findings indicate that mukun is abundant in metaphorical language, reflecting entrenched cultural values and social conventions. The employment of colloquial terms and conventional tales illustrates the Malay community’s collective memories and historical experiences. Moreover, this paper delineates linguistic patterns exclusive to mukun, underscoring its distinctive position within the wider linguistic context of Sarawak. These discoveries highlight mukun’s significance as a crucial cultural repository and stress the necessity for continuous preservation efforts to sustain its linguistic and cultural history.


Keywords: traditional quatrains; mukun; cultural identity; linguistic patterns; indigenous knowledge


ABSTRAK


Kajian etnolinguistik ini meneliti konteks linguistik bermukun, sebuah tarian muzik tradisional dan persembahan berbalas pantun berirama dalam kalangan masyarakat Melayu di Sarawak. Kerangka linguistik budaya pantun (mukun) menekankan hubungan dinamik antara penggunaan bahasa dan identiti budaya. Makalah ini bertujuan untuk menjelaskan bagaimana bahasa mencerminkan dan membentuk identiti budaya Melayu di Sarawak melalui penilitian menyeluruh terhadap sumber teks menggunakan paradigma analisis wacana kritikal (CDA). 367 mukun telah diekstrak daripada penerbitan berkaitan bermukun untuk meneliti metafora, ungkapan idiomatik, dan rangka naratif dalam mukun, meneroka nilai-nilai sosio-budaya yang terdapat dalam elemen linguistik ini, dan menilai pengaruh pilihan linguistik terhadap pemeliharaan dan penyebaran identiti budaya. Penemuan penelitian menunjukkan bahawa mukun kaya dengan bahasa kiasan, mencerminkan nilai-nilai budaya yang mendalam dan konvensi sosial. Penggunaan istilah kolokial dan cerita konvensional menggambarkan ingatan kolektif dan pengalaman sejarah kehidupan masyarakat Melayu. Tambahan pula, makalah ini menggambarkan corak linguistik yang eksklusif kepada mukun, menekankan kedudukan uniknya dalam konteks linguistik yang lebih luas di Sarawak. Penemuan-penemuan ini menekankan kepentingan mukun sebagai repositori budaya yang penting dan menekankan keperluan untuk usaha pemeliharaan berterusan bagi mengekalkan sejarah linguistik dan budaya mukun.

Kata Kunci: pantun tradisional; mukun; identiti budaya; corak linguistik; pengetahuan asal


Keywords


Keywords: traditional quatrains; mukun; cultural identity; linguistic patterns; indigenous knowledge

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