The Deepest Meaning of The Song “Gundhul Pacul” (Report Writting 02)
- Rofidatul Hasanah
- Sep 9, 2017
- 3 min read
In conveying a kindness or the advice of the ancients mostly conveyed through the art to be easily accepted by the people. One of them is through song or in Javanese language called tembang. likewise has been done by Sunan Kalijaga, a scholar who spread the religion of Islam in the island of Java. In releasing goodness, he uses a song containing short lyrics that are easily sung by all circles, especially children, so that unwittingly something good has been taught since childhood. that song is Gundhul Pacul or a bald head Hoe. Gundul Pacul song has only three lines of lyrics with meanings that exist in every word used. Sung with joy because this song is intended for children. To make this song more popular by children, usually at the level of kindergarten education this song is taught along with simple dance.
The first line in this song contains the lyrics Gundhul-gundhul pacul, gembelengan or a bald head hoe, not careful , they are mean Gundul or a bald head, Bald is a hairless head. The head is the symbol of honor and glory of a person, while the hair is the crown of the emblem of the beauty of the head. Thus, baldness is a crownless honor. Pacul is a hoe, an agricultural tool made of quadrangle iron plate, a symbol of the small peoples who are farmers. The Javanese say that the hoe is papat kang ucul or four things are missing, with the notion of a person's glory is highly dependent on four things, that is the way of a person who uses his eyes, nose, ears, and mouth. The eye is used to see the difficulties of the people, the ear is used for hearing advice, a nose is used to smell the good fragrance, and the mouth is used for fair speech. if they do not use these four things well, their honor will also be lost. Then, Gembelengan or Bubbles means "big head, arrogant, and playful" in using his honor. Thus, the meaning of this phrase is that a leader is not really a crowned person, but a person who carrying a hoe to hoe or it’s mean a person who always seeking prosperity for his people. However, people who have lost the four senses will change his attitude to be arrogant.
The second phrase of this song is Nyungi-nyunggi wakul kul, gembelengan or bring a basket (overhead) with no heart. nyunggi wakul or carrying the basket above is symbolized as the enforcement of the people's mandate. But when carrying the basket, his attitude is arrogant heart.
The third and last phrase of this song contains the lyrics Wakul ngglimpang segane dadi sak latar or The basket rolled over, the rice spilled over the yard. Wakul ngglimpang or basket rolled symbolizes the mandate of the people fell, due to the arrogant attitude when carrying the mandate. Segane dadi sak latar or the rice spilled over the yard symbolizes the results obtained to be messy and in vain, then the rice can not be eaten again or they attitude have not beneficial to the welfare of the people.
Finally, through the song is expected to give understanding to the children, if they become leaders, they must carry out the mandate as well as possible and put the needs of the people first. so that the mandate can not only be a respectable theirselves, but also will give happiness to everyone.
References :
https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gundhul_Pacul
http://www.damniloveindonesia.com/explore/detail/2-durga-/606/nggak-sembarang-gundul,-ini-lho-makna-lagu-gundul-gundul-pacul
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yrejb09G30