Wau Bulan

Wau Bulan

Lyrics, With Traditional Kelantanese Edition
Eh wah buleh, eh wah buleh
Wah buleh teraju tigo
Eh wah, eh wah, eh wah buleh
Wah buleh teraju tigo

Ini maleh samo-samo
Samo-samo bersuko-rio
Ini maleh samo-samo
Samo-samo bersuko-rio

In formal Malay (translation in brackets)
Eh wau bulan X 2
("wau bulan" is a specially shaped kite)
Wau bulan teraju tiga
("teraju tiga" describes the 3 strings attached to the body of the kite, joined to a single string for flying)
Ini malam sama-sama
(tonight, all of us together)
Sama-sama bersuka-ria
(together, we all have a good time)

Dikir Barat Performance

Performance

Dikir Barat performance always change form time to time. In 1930s dikir barat was perform during wedding ceremonies at open spaces near their houses. It was also known to be performed during special occasions. But in the early 1950s, competitions were held where the audience must buy tickets to watch the performance. In the performance the "awok-awok" must sit cross-legged in two or three rows. The "juara" and "tukang karut" must sit in front the "awok-awok".

Tukang Karut

Tukang Karut is the most important person in the dikir barat team. His job was to recite poems on the spot according to the topics given for the performance. The victory of the team depend mostly on the tukang karut.

Juara

Juara is the second most important person in the performance of the dikir barat team because his job was to sing about the specific topic before the tukang karut plays his part to continue reciting the theme.

Awok-Awok

Awok-awok is a group of chorus singers which consists of teenagers. The job of the awok-awok was to repeat together few songs given by the Juara and Tukang Karut. Combination of the voices of the awok-awok which was very powerful leads to the success of the team.

What Is Dikir Barat?

Dikir barat is a style of call and response singing originating in Kelantan. It is well known throughout the Peninsular Malaysia through local television and performing groups. A dikir barat group, which may be of any size, is led by a tukang karut who makes up poems and sings them as he goes along. The chorus echoes in response, verse by verse. Dikir barat groups usually perform during various festive occasions, and their poems are usually light entertainment and may be about any topic, but are not religious in nature. The chorus traditionally consists of all men, but modern groups, especially those performing on television, often include women. Traditionally, no musical instruments are used, the singing being accompanied instead by rhythmic clapping and energetic body movements. Some groups however do use a pair of frame drums or rebana, a shallow gong and a pair of maracas, for accompaniment.

Puspa Wiraja Dikir Barat Group

The Dunearn Dikir Barat Group, Sri Kelana was established in 1980 since the with the aim of promoting an interest and appreciation of the art of dikir barat among Malay students. Since its establishment it has won numerous accolades in dikir barat competitions organized by Nanyang Junior College. The group was the defending champion in the Inter-School Dikir Barat Competition for there consecutive years in 1981, 1982 and 1983. However, the group was less active when the school shifted to its new premises at Bukit Batok West Avenue 2. In 1997, the dikir barat group was revived to its former glory with the name, Puspa Wiraja and has been in existence until the present day. The new group Puspa Wiraja has also taken part in numerous dikir barat competitions and was the runners-up in the W2 Cluster Inter-School Dikir Barat Competition in 2002 and 2003. With greater commitment and enthusiasm of its members, we hope to soar to even greater heights in years to come.

Introduction

The Dikir Barat was formerly song of fishermen. It was sung in groups by fishermen to the sounds and rhythms of paddling oars to soothe away tired limbs and waning spirits in their quest for God's bounties on this earth. The words of the song are sprinkled with humour, light teasing and bantering, expressing fishermen's grief and happiness; the pains beside joys of life. The dikir barat is created from the calming melodies of the song tries to capture these scenes and feelings through movements and expressions of its graceful presentation.