The Poem of the Boat

vannour (69) in photography • 7 years ago (edited)

When I photographed this canoe, it reminds me of Hamzah Fansuri's "The Poem of the Boat".

O youth, know yourself:
this boat and your body
will live a little longer,
will be silent forever when death comes.

Then listen, knowing youth:
steer by a compass
as all ships steer--
the best road, the best way.

Trust that pointing needle
to lead you to water, to wood,
to guide your paddles to treasure,
to let your prow be swift.

I quote 3 verses that have been translated in English Burton Raffel's translation in his book "The Development of Modern Indonesian Poetry" by The Research Foundation of the State of the University of New York. This poetry originally in Pasai Malay or Sumatran Malay consists entirely of 40 verses. Please feel free to enjoy the whole poetry [LINK]

Hamzah Fansuri is a scholar, author, and writer who life In The 16th Century, a government official of the Kingdom of Aceh Darussalam's period. He is considered the first poet in the Malay world. Hamzah is his name while Fansur is toponyms.

Until now the Fansur toponymy is still uncertain, estimated to have disappeared in the 14th century, in the latest scientific study of @mapesa and @cisah experts team on epigraphy of gravestone found in Oboh village, Subulussalam Regency, Aceh, it can be concluded that Fansur's toponymy is located at the southwestern end of Aceh, the current Singkil Regency.

This is different from Dr E. Edwards McKinnon, a researcher who concentrates on archeology in Aceh.

Following recent seismological and archaeological research, there is increasing evidence to suggest that the long-lost site of ancient Fansur, a toponym often associated with the Barus region, may be found in the geographically strategically located bay of Pancu, a short distance west of the modern city of Banda Aceh. ^{[southeastasianarchaeology.com]}

Regardless of the debates of the experts, let's listen to a song whose lyrics are quoted from the poem of the boat by Hamzah Fansuri sung by Rafli an Aceh singer.

^{A brief reading list of Hamzah Fansuri: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamzah_Fansuri https://www.southeastasianarchaeology.com/2013/04/30/public-lecture-ancient-fansur-acehs-atlantis/#more-8456 http://www.persee.fr/doc/arch_0044-8613_1999_num_57_2_3521}

Camera	Canon EOS 7D
Lens	EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM
Location	Lhokseumawe
Photograph by	@vannour

photography photofeed photomatic blackandwhite poetry

7 years ago by vannour (69)

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fernandes (51) · 7 years ago

A boat may look ordinary, but when you attach a poem written by Hamzah Fansuri, a leading writer in the era of the Kingdom of Aceh Darussalam, it becomes extraordinary, because the poem contains a very deep meaning. It contains a message to humans not to be misguided in this life.

Thanks @vannour for sharing.

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deniandepa (50) · 7 years ago

a fairly complete post from various aspects, one photo but can be packed in several aspects, sides writing poetry and the history of a poet's figure is also depicted,an episode of life as illustrated in this post, hamzah fansuri journey
though only discussed in a short time, but can represent historical studies of some archaeologists, a sophisticated fusion and a learning for those who read it.

concluding with a song from Rafli kande making this post an episode of the life of a poet character whose name is still remembered to this day.

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herverisson (70) · 7 years ago

I enjoyed this poem :) Very moving! I'll remember that author :) Thanks!

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vannour (69) · 7 years ago

when the poem was translated in English there was some shift in meaning. Some translated words seem bland. Whereas several the words, it has a depth of meaning.