In 1976, I was the secretary of the Malaysian Indonesian and Singapore
student's association of Windsor University In Canada. Every year,
on International Day, we had a big event and countries provided ethnic food
and an item. The previous year, we did a Candle dance . Though I had never
danced this before, I had to, because there were very few girls, and as
the assistant liaison officer, I was made to do it. We didn't dance well,
but the lights made it very lovely to watch.
WE chose to sing that year. We sang the "Lenggang Lenggang Kangkung".
I did not know Malay and neither did most of us. The tune was catchy,
and our international guests LOL with our "Lenggang Lenggang Kangkung".
I wish we had some one explain to us and our audience. The tune
and the "Lenggang Lenggang Kangkung" never left me.
This
You-tube dance is probably how we would have danced and sang. It is not
professional, just look at the beautiful costume. They even got the
audience to dance.
(Indonesian Folk Song)
"It is very popular with children and adults alike. The topic is
about a water spinach which is a favorite dish of the people in
Southeast Asian countries…
Kangkung is a semi aquatic plant that grows on the river banks
or lakes in many countries in South-east Asia, of which Indonesia
is the largest since it consists of 17,000 islands and a population
of 240 million. It is called the Ipomoea Aquatica, or Water Spinach
and also known as Water Morning Glory, because it has flowers
that are similar to the morning glory in shape and color.
The phrase 'Lenggang kangkung' has also the meaning of being
leisurely and being idle or walking in a slow and peaceful gait."
about a water spinach which is a favorite dish of the people in
Southeast Asian countries…
Kangkung is a semi aquatic plant that grows on the river banks
or lakes in many countries in South-east Asia, of which Indonesia
is the largest since it consists of 17,000 islands and a population
of 240 million. It is called the Ipomoea Aquatica, or Water Spinach
and also known as Water Morning Glory, because it has flowers
that are similar to the morning glory in shape and color.
The phrase 'Lenggang kangkung' has also the meaning of being
leisurely and being idle or walking in a slow and peaceful gait."
I asked Sammy if the phrase, "Lenggang Lenggang Kangkung"
is describing a person strolling along or is it describing the water
spinach plant swaying.
He wrote, "It is describing both, and if you want to be exact,
you must mention the way the Kangkung, or water spinach
with its long floating stem swaying gently and in a leisurely
way on the rivers or lakes, gently swaying
s they are blown by the wind or moved by the
current underneath.
The word 'lenggang kangkung' literally refers to a person
who strolls leisurely and without a single care, as if he or
she owns eternity. This is a description of the peaceful
and serene life in the beautiful life in the villages of Indonesia."
*****
People dance while swaying their hips to this song.
http://youtu.be/BZFwIv3ZqIo
LENGGANG KANGKUNG (The Quests' version)
Live performance instrumental by The Quests,
at downtown Kota Kinabalu on City's Day on 11th Feb., 2012.
at downtown Kota Kinabalu on City's Day on 11th Feb., 2012.
This is an Indonesian folk song popularized by a Singaporean band, The Quests as an instrumental hits in the 60's.The Quests, a very popular band from Singapore in the 60's.
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