Returning Home (Village)
Throwback 2022. Since mama (grandmother) passed away some 40 years ago, we stopped speaking Baba Malay at home. I lost not only my mama but along with her our language – an important part of who we are.
Everyday we are bit by bit being displaced through media, new technology, immigration. Who we are is being slowly eroded. Speaking our mother tongue is like speaking the language of our heart. It helps us connect with our roots, understand our culture, and appreciate our traditions. It identifies us and helps us know who we are.
From Jan to Nov 2022, mum and I took Baba Malay lessons. For our graduation, we each made a 3-5 minute presentation. Mine tells of a fascinating little story in the Bible of how the use of mother tongue language calmed a brewing riot and also made the arresting officer stop in his tracks to listen to the accused.
I made my first attempt at writing a panton (Baba poetry).
Angin yang lalu boleh butakan
Rumah tangga tak boleh tuggair
Ayer tetap tak boleh putuskan
Adat Baba mesti lah ajairThe relationships of no importance (passing wind) we can ignore
Our family we cannot change
A tight relationship can never be severed (water cannot be hacked)
The ways/culture of the Baba we must teach
Since taking up lessons, mum and I have started speaking Baba a lot more at home. I feel like crying just saying this. It’s like we have Balik Kampung (come home) to Chakap Baba (Speak Baba).
The presentation is spoken in Baba Malay – I made this version with English text for non-Baba speakers.
I turned the graduation speech into a digital story. Don’t miss the bonus at the end of the video. Enjoy! 😉