Pantun

Pantun is a traditional form of Malay poetry widely found in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, and among Malay-speaking communities. It consists of a four-line stanza, or quatrain, in which the lines are typically of similar length and cadence. The form is traditionally divided into two parts: the sampiran, or opening lines, which present imagery from nature or everyday life, and the isi, or content, which delivers the message, sentiment, or advice.

The rhyme pattern of pantun is commonly described as ABAB, though regional and performative variations exist. The sampiran lines set up a figurative picture, while the isi lines carry the actual meaning or compliment, often requiring readers or listeners to make a mental connection between the two halves. Pantun relies on concise expression, metaphor, and wordplay, with attention to sound and rhythm in spoken performance.

Themes in pantun are diverse, including love, friendship, nature, fortune, and moral or social advice. It is frequently used in social occasions such as weddings, courting exchanges, celebrations, and community gatherings, where it may be recited or exchanged in a playful, witty manner. In addition to oral use, pantun appears in written literature and is taught in schools as part of cultural heritage, helping to preserve language, aesthetics, and traditional customs.

Historically, pantun originated in the Malay archipelago and developed through centuries of oral and literary traditions. It remains an enduring element of cultural identity in Malay-speaking communities and continues to influence contemporary poetry, music, and performance.