Rasa Sayang

Rasa Sayang

The lyrics of the B section is based on the format of a pantun. The first two lines of the pantuns and have no other purpose than to set up a sound and rhyme pattern for the second couplet. The second couplet is the only meaningful part of a pantun.

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Rasa Sayang is a song that is normally sung at the end of a gathering or closing ceremony. The above performance took place at the end of a 5-day workshop at the University Sabah Malaysia. Terima kasih cikgu (thank you, teachers).

Teaching multi-cultural and world musics is more than teaching “music”. By having an in-depth understanding of the music of different cultures ourselves, we will be able to help students sing, play music and gain greater insights into the music of their own cultures as well as other cultures. Once our students have studied their culture’s music from this integrative approach, they will be better prepared to appreciate and respect music from another’s culture. We as music educators, have an important role as carriers of culture. We must present materials to our students through an anti-biased filter and advocate what Derman-Sparks has said, “Differences are good; oppressive ideas and behaviors are not.” (p. x)