A Poetry with various regional languages Becomes the Unifier in the Peace Village Book Launch

The eight female youths who wore black and white clothes walked to the Golden Ballroom podium, where the Nusantara event was held as well as the Peace Village book launch, at the Sultan Hotel and Residence, Jakarta, Friday (2/8).  Nervousness was shown on one of the girls’ face. She stood a little too close to the microphone but with full of confidence she loudly said…

Tak ngoladhi ponapa berna kole' tor pasera bengaseppo epon

(No matter what your skin color is and who your grandfather is)

Abdhina tor ajunan sadheje settong dhalem jeg jeghe pancasila

(We are one in the establishment of the Pancasila)

The young woman is Aisyah from Sumenep, who read a fragment of a poetry titled Indonesiaku Damai (My Peaceful Indonesia). Aisyah was one of the Youth Camp participants in Malang last December 13-16, 2018. Aisyah read Sumenep poetry in the opening of the book launch of the Standard Operating Procedures of 9 Indicators for Peace Villages/Kelurahans.

"Youth Camp alumni wanted to contribute to the Wahid's program by reading a poem in several different regional languages. The use of regional languages was conducted to show the diversity of Indonesia, explained Nailah (22), another girl who was a reader of the poem by Budiaman.

There are several regional languages used, namely Balinese, East Nusa Tenggaran, Jambi Melayu, Taliwang and Minang. For Nailah, the Peace Village book launch event was a venue to spread the spirit of female youth unity through poetry reading as well as a place to reunite with her alumni friends. "Thank God, I can meet again with my youth camp friends and be able to participate in this Wahid's event," said the girl, who lives in Depok.

This sweet-looking girl hoped that the existence of Peace Villages can change the mindset of the communities regarding tolerance, “Because tolerance is not only for those who are of different religions, but also those who have different understandings while still having the same religion," she explained concisely.

The same narrative was also conveyed by Inggit Larasati (23) from Nglinggi Village, who also took part in the poetry reading. Even the “Indonesiaku Damai” poem was made by a friend of Inggit, Budiaman (27), a UIN Yogyakarta student, who, according to her, is good at making poetry. "I asked Budiaman to write a peace poem for Wahid's event, and he immediately wrote it down," Inggit explained.

The spirit of harmony of these eight young women contributed to the Peace Village book launch event with maximum results despite short preparation time.

Here is the whole poem of Indonesiaku Damai brought by the Youth Camp female alumni:

Indonesia adalah tempat dimana beta berpijak

(Indonesia is the place where I stand)

Memberi beta kehidupan sejuk nan abadi

(Giving me an invigorating eternal life)

 

Kedamaian hatee teurasa syahdu

(Peace of heart feels serene)

Tempat bersatu tanyoe bersama tanpa kaloen perbedaan

(A place to be united together without seeing differences)

 

Tak ngoladhi ponapa berna kole' tor pasera bengaseppo epon

(No matter what your skin color is and who your grandfather is)

Abdhina tor ajunan sadheje settong dhalem jeg jeghe pancasila

(We are one in the establishment of the Pancasila)

 

Ingatlah kawan kito satu dalam merah putih

(Remember, my friend, we are one in red and white)

Semuo samo dalam balutan damai indonesia

(Everyone is the same, covered in Indonesia’s peace)

 

Saling miegan ten kel mragatang napi

(Insulting is not our culture)

Saling miegan nike ten je budaya kita

(Mutual hatred is not our character)

 

Bangunlah kau wahai pemudi

(Wake up, O, girls)

Nyalaek semangat persatuan pade bumi tercinte

(Ignite the spirit of unity on your beloved land)

 

Semate api kelenge anu berkobar

(Extinguish the blazing fire of hatred)

Sirami ke ai gering sebalong perangemu

(Shower it with water of your peaceful soothing behavior)

 

Damailah nagari wak majulah bangsa wak

Peace be upon my country,  proceed my nation 

Tunjukan pado dunia awak mampu rukun basamo

(Show the world we are able to live in harmony together)

Sampaikan pado dunia damainyo nagari ko

(Convey to the world how peaceful this country is)

Indonesia bersatu, rukun, dan damai

(Indonesia united, living in harmony and peace)

 

By: Ester Pandiangan