Manjujai: Social Functions, Local Cultural Values, and Universal Lullabies from West Sumatra, Indonesia

Abstract

Lullabies for children are a local and universal phenomenon in the world. Despite having local values, the lullaby phenomenon exists in almost all world cultures. The Minangkabau people in West Sumatra have a tradition of singing lullabies for children called manjujai. Manjujai slowly eroded and began to disappear due to the touch of technology and modernization. Manjujai, besides functioning as a children's lullaby, is also a medium for conveying messages, especially cultural and religious values, which are expected to be embedded in children's minds. The purpose of this study is to describe, reveal, and analyze the meaning of the function of Manjujai as a cultural expression of the Minang people, while at the same time connecting universal values that exist in children's lullabies in several other cultures. This paper is a qualitative descriptive research. The data is obtained by tracing the manjujai text. This research shows that manjujai text has three social functions: (1) conveying feelings, thoughts, and attitudes to life; (2) teaching cultural values through advice, messages, and hopes; and (3) presenting the beauty of language, feeling comfortable, calm, and prosperous, as well as generating a sense of comfort for children who listen. What all the lullabies in the world have in common is rooted in love, tenderness and care. Many lullabies have a peaceful, hypnotic quality. Weary bodies, rising black nights, difficulty closing eyes, and sleep are the three elements that form the universal backdrop for melodic and lyrical strands of lullabies around the world.