As promised, here is the lyrics of the meaning song of the previous publication.
First of all, i'm going to leave the history of this song:
The song is made by Sunan Kalijaga (something like a sultan/crown-prince at that era) at 15th century ancient Java, where he resides in kingdom of Demak and at that time, the influence of Islam is very rapidly spreading across Java Island with the famous 'wali songo' (nine envoy) spearheading it's religion influence. this Sunan Kalijaga is one of this Wali songo and he as one of the envoy, try to spread islam with art and culture native to java, so basically he tried to mix islam with Java culture (remember that Islam is actually from Middle east and thus they need to 'adapt' it with local culture for it to be accepted). The reason he try to influence the local people there via art and culture is because the existing dominant religion at that time is Hinduism-Buddhism and it would be hard to adapt islamism through violence or other means, so he resorted to Art and Culture. The song itself is the proof that Sunan Kalijaga is trying to mix Islam and Javanese culture which start by javanese song in the early and late part of the song and then the arabic islam song in the middle part of the traditional song.
Lir Ilir, Lir ilir (wake up, wake up)
Tandurane wus sumilir (all the crops have been blossoming) --> something like 'ready to harvest'
Tak Ijo Royo-royo (all so green)
Tak sengguh temanten anyar (just like newlyweds)
Tak sengguh temanten anyar (just like newlyweds)
Tak sengguh temanten anyar (just like newlyweds)
Bocah angon bocah angon (the shepherd, the shepherd)
Penekno Blimbing kuwi (go climb that starfruit tree)
Lunyu-lunyu penekno (even if it's slippery, do climb it)
kanggo mbasuh dodot iro (to wash your clothes)
kanggo mbasuh dodot iro (to wash your clothes)
dodotiro, dodotiro (your clothes, your clothes)
Kumitir bedah ing pinggir (it's ripped in the sides)
Dondomono, Jlumatono (Sew it, weave it)
Kanggo sebo mengko sore (to see someone in the afternoon)
mumpung padhang rembulane (while the moonlight is shining brightly)
mumpung jembar kalangane (while you have the time)
Yo surak o surak iyo (shout with a shout "yes")
This song is his masterpiece which is remembered by ages to come. It's 500 years old.
Once more I would like to thank my penpal friend Edwin for the help in the research of all of the information that I have here.
"Jer Basuki Mawa Bea" are the words
emblazoning the emblem of East Java. Translated. they mean that achievements
are only won through sacrifice. This is certainly an appropriate motto,
especially for the people of Surabaya. the 'City of Heroes'. whose history of
struggle against foreign invaders is well known. Surabaya itself is the
commercial and administrative capital of East Java, a thriving business and
industrial centre and the province's main port. Second only to Jakarta in size
and importance, the city has a population of around 2.5 million residents. From
the port area of Tanjung Perak ferries leave regularly for Madura, and air
services to and from Surabaya's Juanda Airport connect the city with Jakarta,
Yogyakarta, Bali and other parts of Indonesia.
Surabaya is a
progressive capital undergoing rapid change. Former negative reports about the
city from foreign visitors are thus clearly unwarranted today. In fact,
Surabaya now enjoys the reputation as being the cleanest city in Indonesia,
equipped with every modern facility and offering a standard of accommodation to
suit every taste and budget.
Surabaya is located at
the centre of the northern coast of East Java Province, bounded to the north
and east by the Java sea, the district of Gresik in the west, and by the
district of the Sidoarjo in the south. The topography is mainly flat at about
3-6m above sea level, but in the west, two low ridges from west to east have an
elevation of about 20-30m above sea level. The lower hill slopes have tended to
be occupied by low income groups because of the low cost of site development.
The high ground has become popular for high income group settlement, now that
there are good access road and water supply.
The tropical climate has
two main identifiable seasons. The dry season generally lasts from May to
October, and the wet or rainy season from November up to April. The heaviest
rains normally occur between December and January. Wind velocity normally ranges
from 3 to 20 knots and is relatively constant throughout the year. The mean
annual rainfall is 1,321 mm, and the highest monthly mean rainfall is about 260
mm, usually in January. The lowest temperature, usually in February, is about
25.5 Celsius and the highest temperature is 33.0 Celsius in October. The
average annual temperature is 27.8 Celsius.
Surabayas dominant
roles, both national and regional, have changed little since it emerged as a
major administrative and trading centre of the East Indies in the early 18th
century. The development of urban Surabaya since this time has therefore been
related to study growth to meet increasing demand, rather than any change in
role or function. Since the governments 1960s city policy, Surabaya has
functioned as an industrial, commercial, maritime, education and government
city. This multi-function policy has required Surabaya to provide land for
industrial areas and infrastructure support facilities.
Commercial trading in
Surabaya has an important role for the development of Eastern Indonesia, and
especially for East Java. The primary trade activities covering the large area
from the port in the north to the city center is wholesale trading of products.
TOURIST PLACES TO VISIT
House of Sampoerna - Museum
Description:House of Sampoernais a museum
dedicated to Indonesian history of Cigarette Smoking and Clove Trading
(especially for Sampoerna brand, the utmost recognizable and biggest integrated
tobacco-cigarette company in Indonesia). Built in 1864 and was actually a VOC
building for trading commodities, this museum is renovated on 2003 which is
also the 90th anniversary of
the H.M Sampoerna. In 2003 as well, the museum is renovated and changed it’s
function from operating site (to roll traditional cigarettes) to half
museum/half operating site. Nowadays, this tourist destination is still fully
accessible to tourists who wants to know the history of Indonesian cigarette industry
whilst watching thousands of female workers roll traditional cigarettes also
known as ‘kretek’ (SKT/ Sigaret Kretek Tangan). Entrance is free and tourists
is welcome anytime since the museum opens 24/7. Free Surabaya Sightseeing tour
is also available here.
Balai Kota - The City Hall
Description:
The city hall, while isn’t as popular as other tourists destination in
Surabaya, is still a great place to take photos and visit either in the noon or
at night. Located strategically in the center of the city, the Balai Kota (or
City Hall in English) is a local playground for Surabayan’s citizen since the
fountain never stops and the view gets better at night. Whatever it is, if you
look for a real Surabaya feeling, this city hall might be your key to
understand what it means to be a Surabaya citizen better. If lucky, you could
meet and take a picture with our Mayor, mrs. Tri Rismaharini which is one of
the top mayors in the world listed last year (2015) by the City Majors
Foundation.
Monumen Tugu Pahlawan - Heroe monument
Description:
Perhaps one of the most popular tourist spot in Surabaya since the 41,15 meter
monument is really hard to miss when you’re in Surabaya.
Monumen Tugu Pahlawan
(Heroes monument) is a must-visit for any kind of tourists in Surabaya since
you can’t say you have visited Surabaya without visiting this momument. Inside,
you will find national heroes statues, a museum dedicated to history of
Surabaya citizen fighting against Allied forces in late WW2 period, park, and
many more. If you’re someone who love history, this is your place. Located also
in the middle of the city, the museum only cost 5000 rupiah ( 0,45 USD/ 0,4
Eur) to visit. Definitely a cheap yet still great way to spend time in
Surabaya. If there is one place to understand why Surabaya is called “Heroes
City”, this is the place.
Merdeka atau Mati - Freedom or Die
Image of the Monumen tugu pahlawan’s Museum where the meaning of it is that the people had a choice, and their choise was to live free.
Jembatan Suramadu - Bridge in East Java
Description: A new bridge in East java
made to connect Surabaya and Madura Island. Surabaya is in Java island and
Madura island is in north-east of Java island. Since Madura People and activity
are growing drastically each year, a bridge is made to connect these two
island. The Suramadu Name comes from “Sura” from Surabaya and “Madu” from
Madura. A great place to visit, but watch out for street thugs using
motorcycles who lingers near this bridge.
Pantai Kenjeran - Beach
Description:
a Beach located in East Surabaya, Pantai Ria Kenjeran (or Pantai Kenjeran for
short) is a place to relax, eat great seafoods you will never find in any part
of the world, and visit mangrove plantations reachable by boat from this beach.
While it’s not suitable for swimming activities due to high pollution in the
beach, this place is still great to buy souvenirs related to the sea, try some
great foods, and get a glimpse of how Surabaya citizen have fun. Foodies will
definitely love this place.
TRADICIONAL MUSIC
I asked my friend Edwin if he could send my tradicional music of Indonesia, to what he said: "Each major island has it's own traditional music and musical instruments. There's no national traditional music here in Indonesia since we are so diverse." He after send me the music on the left and the other on the botton and explained to me that: "Both are 'lir ilir', one of the most popular traditional Javanese music with a lot of meaning."
Javanese Music, NOT Indonesia.
Later in another post I'll write down the meaning of the lyrics of the song that my friend Edwin is going to translate so I can share with all of my Visitor.
To end this publication I want to thank Edwin Santoso for all the Help, for sharing with me all the history and the fantastic tourist spots in his city.
Edwin at times was my snail mail friend and we shared lots of postcards with each other, so last but not least: just a memory:
At times i did some Snail Mail Exchange with people all over the world. I must say that , Asia has been the Continent that most has fascinated me.
I want to share all the different cultures that I have been leaning with the world.
In this Blog I will share with you opinions and lifestyle of people from diferent countries in Asia and some photos of the place where they live and some cultural music.
