117

The structure of poetry in the 
collection of Lawas Kusaremen 
Lawas Sia by Sanapiah Amin

Maghfiroh Fajrin
Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Email: fajrin.maghfiroh@gmail.com

Maman Suryaman
Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Email: maman_suryaman@uny.ac.id

Abstract
Various of lawas Sumbawa encountered a connotative meaning of speech 
and contains a philosophical element. Similarly, the studies that have been 
encountered before, more raised elements of symbols and meanings semantically 
and philosophically. To get the hidden side through the lawas, then the study 
will be used semiotics fitting to find out what kind of relationships that exist 
in the structural side of the old language with the meaning of culture. In this 
case the researcher tries to study the text from the aspect of lawas structure 
to know its relation with local culture. This is done to find out what kind of 
system relation signature exists in the old. These signs produce the meaning 
of denotation, connotation. Semiology in this research was used to know the 
structure of lawas, cultural form and cultural messages system contained in 
lawas. Lawas of Kusaramen Lawas Sia had the structure of poetry consisted of 
physical structure and inner structure. Lawas physical structures consisted of 

Journal of Social Studies (JSS) , ISSN: 1858-2656 (p); 2721-4036 (e)
Vol. 15. No. 2 (2019), pp.117-144, doi: 10.21831/jss.v15i2.25231. 117-144



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figurative languages; rethorical language, images and inner structures, among 
them the poet’s tone, poet’s attitude, and themes.

Keywords: Structure of Poetry, Phsycal Structure, Inner Structure, Lawas

Introduction
Lawas was the oral literature of Sumbawa that is passed down from 

generation to generation. Lawas was used to express themselves tau samawa 
(Sumbawa people). The shape of a pantun (traditional poetry) consisting of 4 
stanzas and can also be formed as a poem. The presence of words in the old is 
calculated from various aspects, both the meaning, the strength of the image, as 
well as its symbolic reach. Words in the old serves as a means of conveying ideas 
or expressing a sense, in addition to functioning as a medium that communicates 
the results of community community thinking through the poignant sense of 
poetry. In addition to the old, there are also other oral literature in the form of 
tuter (folklore), panan (puzzle), ama (proverb) (Kalimati, 2008: 75-76).

The existence of Sumbawa language, in fact, is minimal speakers, 
especially in the new generation in the era of modernization. Similar to facts 
experienced by other parts of Indonesia, universally the existence of regional 
languages began to decline. Deddy Mizwar as vice governor of West Java said 
that the embedding of language is very important and urgent. Indonesia as the 
second richest country in the world has almost 800 languages, 169 of these 
languages are now threatened with extinction due to the swift currents of 
globalization and have only speakers between 500 and 1000 people (Jakarta 
newspaper, 2/8/16).

The appreciation of society among young people today is very minimal, 
even many of them who do not understand the language of Sumbawa found in 
oral literature Sumbawa area or the song of his people. In this modern age there 
is a tendency of Samawa bases (Sumbawa language) sooner or later to be extinct. 
Literature works to develop the existence of regional languages and become one 
of the containers to develop local cultural wisdom, its existence is very close 
to the community and education. However, it is not very appealing to today’s 
teenagers. Departing from that, research on the old study of West Sumbawa 
becomes crucial thing if examined will be a lot of knowledge of language and 
culture.



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Lawas that will be researched by researchers derived from lawas class 
of Kusaremen Lawas Sia by Sanapiah Amin. This legendary writer is one of 
the poets of Sumbawa origin and the author of folklore in Sumbawa. Lawas 
Kusaremen Legas Sia classifieds were identified as having varied types, ranging 
from children, youth, and parents. In the old text affixed the connotation and 
content with cultural symbols that become icons of traditional and cultural 
traditions of Sumbawa. This is what attracts researchers to study the hidden 
meaning in lawas.

Various of lawas sumbawa encountered a connotative meaning of speech 
and contains a philosophical element. Similarly, the studies that have been 
encountered before, more raised elements of symbols and meanings semantically 
and philosophically. To get the hidden side through the lawas, then the study 
will be used semiotics fitting to find out what kind of relationships that exist in 
the structural side of the old language with the meaning of culture. In this case 
the researcher tries to study the text from the aspect of the old puis structure 
to know its relation with local culture. This is done to find out what kind of 
system relation signature exists in lawas. These signs produce the meaning of 
denotation, connotation, and myth. Semiology in this research is used to know 
the structure of old poetry, cultural form and cultural messages to be known 
form of sign system contained in old.

One component that can match or be variations of concepts in semiotics is 
the structural signs of poetry. As mentioned in the following quotation.Readers 
competent in semiotics may argue that there is no such thing as semiotics of 
resemblance. In this case, resemblance should be considered to be an umbrella 
term that covers various concepts, such as iconic, iconic signs, similarity, 
analogy, categorization, metaphors, mimesis, mimicry, onomatopoeia, and 
others (Maran, and Ester, 2010: 9).

The one mentioned in this term of semiotic concept is metaphor and 
categorization, it indicates that the physical structure of poetry includes a part 
of variation in peeling a text semiotics. By knowing the structure of poetry then 
later can be known relation signs such as what makes the sign system on the 
collection of lawas. Metaphors are included in the style of  figurative language, 
in essence the style of language has certain types as described by Keraf, (2010: 
129) that the style of language based on meaning is measured by the directness 
of meaning, ie whether the reference used still retains its denotative or existing 
meaning deviation. If the reference used still retains the basic meaning, then 
the language is still plain. But if there has been a change of meaning, whether 



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in the form of connotative meaning or has deviated far from its denotative 
meaning, then the reference is considered to have the style as intended here.

Regardless of the connotations of the two terms, we can use both terms 
in the same sense, that is, an evaluative or emotive language deviation from 
ordinary language, either in (1) spelling. (2) word formation, (3) construction 
(sentence, clause, phrase), or (4) application of a term, to obtain clarity, emphasis, 
decoration, humor, or any other effect. The trope or figure of speech thus has 
various functions: explaining, reinforcing, animating dead objects, stimulating 
associations, raising laughter, or for decoration (Keraf, 2010: 129.)

The field of linguistic studies dealing with a meaning of a particular 
speech symbol or concept is usually semiotics. Semiotics are commonly used in 
research related to structural texts such as poetry. Like the following quotation. 
With respect to the signifier/signified opposition (or expression/content) 
constituting any sign, there are three basic kinds of structural analysis one can 
perform, depending on whether the structure includes (1) only the signifier 
(e.g., an analysis restricted to the versification of a poem), (2) only the signified 
(e.g., a traditional thematic analysis), or (3) both the signifier and the signified 
(e.g., an analysis of the relations between the sounds and the meanings of the 
words used for rhyming in a poem) (Hebert, 2011: 13).

Lawas Sumbawa has many local icons and symbols that existed in the 
poet’s writing style in the form of tradition, daily activities and social value in 
the text. The old subject that the researcher sourced from the old collection 
of books “Kusaremen Lawas Sia” which interpret the culture of Sumbawa. It 
is also a special interest in researchers to explore the language and culture of 
Sumbawa that aims to bring the community and the next generation to the 
cultural heritage of the old oral literature itself. That stated was conclude 
research question, 1) how lawas physical structure contained in the collection 
of lawas Kusaremen Sia, 2) how lawas inner structure that was contained in the 
collocetion of lawas kusaremen sia, 3) how was myth in thecollection of lawas.

Literature Review
Semiology is a science of semiotics that learns about signs. As Allen puts it 

in the following quotation. What does Barthes mean by semiology? Sometimes 
referred to as semiotics, semiology is the general science of signs posited by 
Saussure in his lectures on linguistics published posthumously in 1915 as 
Course in General Linguistics. Saussure imagined a science that would be able 



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to read systematically all human sign systems. Semiology is therefore frequently 
used to refer to the analysis of signs other than those found in linguistic sign 
systems (Allen, 2003: 39).

There are several theories that Barthes discloses in structural semiotics. 
Zaimar (2014: 19) namely the theory of myth, singnikansi theory, and theory to 
find ideas/ideas, and how to spread it. Some of these categories are Barthes’s 
semiology system that has relationships with each other. In essence, the barthes 
semiology system consists of signifier, signified, and signification that are 
divided into two levels, namely denotation and connotation levels.

Semiotic analysis is related to the sign system. He describes a signifiant 
understanding of his signifies as a two-stage process. This is based on Barthes 
via Hoed, (2014: 85) then in terms of sign production, signifiant called 
expression (E) (expression, disclosure), and signifie as contenu (C) (content or 
concept). For Barthes the relationship (relation or R) between E (expression) 
and C (content) occurs in human cognition in more than one stage that can 
be seen in Figures 1 or 2. This is the degree of denotation and connotation. 
The E-oriented secondary system is an expansion of terms of expression, while 
the contents are unchanged. By Barthes the phenomenon is called metabahasa 
and is represented as shown in Figure 1 where metabahasa occurs when the 
relationship (R) between E and C is explained using different E.

The secondary system which is oriented to C is the extension of the 
sign (content), while the marking facet has not changed. The connotation 
occurs when the R relationship between E and C is interpreted by developing 
its C-term, so that a new R is emerging which often corresponds to its primary 
system (Hoed, 2014: 159).

Figure 2. Konotasi

Historically, by inducing meanings that are apparently recoverable (even 
if they are not lexical), connotation establishes a (dated) Literature of the 
Signified. Functionally, connotation, releasing the double meaning on -principle, 



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corrupts the purity of communication: it is a deliberate “static,” painstakingly 
elaborated, introduced” into the fictive dialogue between author and reader, 
in short, a countercommunication (Literature is an intentional cacography 
(Barthes, 2002: 9). The statement explains that connotation is a marker whose 
function has multiple meanings, which makes secondary meaning in exposing 
a phenomenology or myth.

Because of the sign reading and meaning of the signifier. To help the 
meaning, it needs a gradual expansion of meaning. From Roland Barthes 
Signification Theory proposed can help understand myths. The Significance 
Theory was not much different from Ferdinand den Sausure’s proposed theory, 
it’s just that the theory of signification uses two stages with denotation and 
connotation terminology.Through the semiotics theory of roland barthes was 
expected to answer the relation of the sign system in poetry. This will answer 
how the sign system was in oral literature, lawas of Kusaremen Lawas Sia.

Methods
This research was qualitative descriptive research based on semiology of 

Roland Barthes approauch. The data source is the collection of lawas “Kusaremen 
Lawas Sia” by Sanapiah Amin, which is held by the West Sumbawa Regency 
Government. The unit of analysis of this study consists of, the physical structure 
of poetry in the form of images, figurative language, rhetorical language, and 
concrete words, then the inner structure of poetry in the form of poet’s attitude, 
tone, and theme.

Techniques of collecting data through written relics such as archives, 
literature, and so on, then record techniques hold data recording with the help 
of tabulation data. The stages of the research are 1) determining the sample 
purposively, 2) determining the unit of analysis, 3) categorize and coding, 4) data 
analysis will be done after data collection are completed 5) Compiling inference.

Poetry is a literary work that is generally the subject of analysis and 
criticism. This is because the contents of poetry that has aesthetic value that has 
a relationship with language and social culture. As Pickett discloses (2015: 72) 
poetry is similar to art in many respects. An interesting aspect of poetry is the 
textual and visual impact that have been many forms of criticism and analysis 
that have evolved over the years regarding his writing technique.

So, various techniques can be done to criticize and analyze a poem one 
of them with the field of semiology for example.Furthermore, poetry is formed 



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over the constructive structures. Suryaman and Wiyatmi (2012: 34) in general 
the basic material of poetry is the language. The language in question, semiotic, 
includes two types, namely signifier and signified. The element of poetry is a 
signifier, the element observed by the senses, such as hearing  and or vision. They 
include sounds, words, lyrics, verses, and typography. The sign is the meaning 
of the marker. There is a searchable meaning in the dictionary. However, there 
are many meanings that need interpretation. Elements of poetry markers are 
elements whose meanings need interpretation.

According to Waluyo (2015: 118) the structure of poetry was built by 
two main structures namely, the physical structure consisting of diction, 
imagination, concrete word, majas, persification, and typography; and inner 
structures consisting of tones, themes, feelings, and messages. The physical 
structure of poetry is the medium of expression of the inner structure.

This referential analysis method was consisted of references to poetic 
structures consisting of physical structure and inner structure.

1) Conduct text analysis to get data by reading and recording the data and its 
code into the data card.

2) Determining the unit of analysis, Unit analysis is the smallest component 
of the text where the event is examined and the characterization of the 
variables (categorical properties). Unit of analysis to be taken in the form 
of physical structure and inner poetry in the old text in accordance with 
research problems.

3) Determination of the sample will be done purposively. Sampling is adapted 
to the data criteria referring to the subject of the study. Sampling will be 
incorporated into the analysis unit ie leksia.

4) Categories and codes, is to categorize data according to label of data 
segment referred. Then, each category will be identified according to the 
unit of analysis and coded data on each finding and then record.

5) Data analysis will be performed after data collection is completed. Data 
analysis will be done in accordance with the instrument provisions of the 
researcher and assisted by the data analysis table.

6) Arranging inference, ie making conclusions on the data analysis conducted 
by researchers. From the results of the analysis will be presented description 
of the findings and explanations that answer research questions. The 
compilation of references will be explained by the table of research results 
to facilitate the reading of the results.



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Results and Discussion
The results of this study and findings were lawas of Kusaramen Lawas Sia 

had 1) the structure of poetry consisted of physical structure and inner structure. 
Lawas physical structures consisted of figurative languages; rethorical language, 
images and inner structures, among them the poet’s tone, poet’s attitude, and 
themes.

1. Physical Structure

a. Figurative Language and Rethorical Language

The style of language in this lawas there were two, namely the 
style of rhetorical language and figurative or figurative style of language. 
Both styles of language are categorized as a style of language that has 
an indirect meaning, or according to Keraf (2010) style of language 
based on the meaning measured from the directness of meaning, ie 
whether the reference yag still retain the meaning of denotatifnya or 
existing deviations. First, the figurative language contained in lawas 
of  Kusaremen Lawas Sia were personafication, metaphor, and simile. 
However, the type of figurative language that dominates the text is the 
style of the metaphorical  language. Second, retorichal language in 
lawas of Kusaremen Lawas Sia was conssited of tautology, irony, and 
hiperbol. The language styles contained in lawas of Kusaramen Lawas 
Sia averages use meanings that deviate from their denotative meanings. 
There are a number of figurative languages dominated by metaphors 
and similes, while the style of rhetorical language is dominated by 
ellipsis. This indicates that the people of Sumbawa often use figurative 
language in the phrase. Can be seen from the following of this citation 
of lawas verse.

1) Methapor

Lawas “Buya Rejeki”

Kusumping kemang sudasa Iring 
ning sikir seribu Teno’ rungan 
kuerana
*(Buya Rejeki/7/)

Translition

I caught the interest of Sudasa
Accompanied by a thousand re-
membrance Listen to me later



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In lawas of buya rejeki stanza second, explained about editing 
a girl is a fortune which was likened to the hard work in process. 
But all that is not escaped from gratitude with the expression of 
dhikr and prayer. The signs that emerged from the old is the start 
of the audiotory image that utilizes the sense of hearing evidenced 
from the phrase “listen to me later”. Then, the figurative language 
that exists is a metaphor, because it represents an object to express 
the purpose of its expression, the flower of arts.

2) Personification

The following four bosses of stanosis have the structure of 
ellipsis language poetry, due to the dense language structure.

Lawas Badosa

Kemano peseku aku
Angin rasa 

basarungan 
Lemanoto ling 
napeno

*(Badosa 4/9)

Translation

Whispered to me
The wind often tells the story
Not to be known by the 

crowd

Can be seen, the persona language style of the word “wind”. 
The word wind is like a human being,that was to say a story, 
while the word whispering is usually done when what was said 
does not want to be known by many people. The meaning of the 
connotation is the concealment of sensitive things symbolized by 
the wind, because the true wind can not be seen but felt. The word 
wind tells the style of persona language because the nouns that 
seem to be turned on like human beings characterize the language 
of speech personaficatin or replace humans with objects. So, things 
seem to be able to tell a story, but in essence he likened humans.

3) Simile

Unlike the case with the following quote of humble polish. 
The quotation indicates the existence of the divine



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Lawas “Polak Hajat”

Nomanda kalako kuada
Mara umak tampo ilang
Kabali bintu rasate
*(Polak Hajat/2/7)

Translation:

Nothing useful I exist 
Like the waves 
hempas lost

The upside down slams 
the heart

The signifier on the polak hajat text was located on the 
second line. The sign is the style of the simile language, affirmed 
by the word “like” indicating the comparison of a useless person 
with crashing waves. Through the description of the structure of 
poetry it can be explained “There was no use I exist” signified the 
desperation and pessimism of the things faced. In the sentence 
clearly compare two things namely the comparison of self with the 
waves.

4) Tautology

Lawas “Sangila”:

Kutakal rip pancarpati 
Semanmo katoan 
rungan

Kaseli anak tungining
*(Ngining/1/4)

Translation:

I sat on the shade of starch
Do not look for news from 

the shoot of the poor 
child

The rhetorical language of tautology between the old stanzas 
and the old man in stanza 7 which together link about pancarpati. 
This indicates that the subject of pancarpati becomes a sign of 
reflection.

Lawas Sangila

Kubungkak luk angkang 
baremang

Ai mata lalo niri
Totang kemang pancarpati
*(Sangila/7/4)

Translation

Leaves the 
front face 
unmoved Tears 
falling down 
Remember the

flower starch



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Pancarpati was likened to a comfortable place, the tautology 
sentence in both texts is a reinforcement or emphasis on the term 
pancarpati. In the old Ngining mentioned pancarpati is a place 
bernanung, in the old text Sangila, mentioned pancarpati is 
a missed flower. These two things are the same object with the 
meaning of different purposes. First, pancarpati is a kind of henna 
planted commonly planted in front of the house or in the villages, 
the second pancarpati is a place bernanung. This is actually the 
same aim at the essence of a comfortable place that is home or 
village. The longing expressed in the legendary text of the sangila 
affirms that pancarpati is a comfortable place to lure.

5) Irony

Lawas “Bangka”:

Birulet nanga talulung 
Peno tubeling nalempat 
Aku kaleng kusia 
e…*(Bangka/3/6)

Translation:

Blue Talulung sea water
Many people say do not 

cross I said I would cross

Lawas of bangka explained that many of the dangers that exist in 
the middle of the sea, so many people say, especially in the sea 
Talulung, so who want to cross there prohibited by the elders. 
However, because of the individual’s individual courage, defeating 
all the words of danger, with the intention that he will still go. 
This statement is mentioned in lines 2 and 3 which celebrate the 
language of irony, meaning that it states that it is forbidden to 
cross, but it does the opposite or does not conform to the original 
statement.

6) Hiperbol

Lawas “Sangila”

Gila e parana genggang Lempat 

boa benrang bayan Jorong ning 

katantang ila

*(Sangila/1/4)

Translation

Very crazy strong body 

Cross the mouth of the 

Bayan river

Missed from shame

Stanza one on lawas of Sangila has a visual sign system that 
states a vision of the poet about the mouth of the bayan river that 



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someone passes. This old one also has a hyperbol-style language, 
ie rather exaggerated until mentioned very crazy. Marked by the 
phrase “very crazy body genggang” which means strong. sangking 
strong person to forget the shame, so that implied a sinidiran in 
this old.

7) Elipsis

Ellipsis is the omission of the word complement in the 
sentence. It was stated by Hee (2018: 11) ellipsis is not a single 
phenomenon and can take different forms of variety. Therefore, 
if the forms of Ellipsis are varied and if they represent several 
phenomena, it also implies a variety of phenomena in grammar. 
The citation of retorichal languge example in lawas Kusaremen 
Lawas Sia was in Buya Rejeki stanza ten. That citation mentioned 
about.

Lawas “Buya Rejeki”

Lamin dapat makaniat Serek 
bomong pina tapat
Kubayar nasar ko keramat
*(Buya Rejeki/10/4)

Translation

if it has been intend Tear off 
the janur make ketupat
I pay a vow to the grave

The physical structure contained in the lawas was the 
rhetorical language elispsis that has no subject sentence. That can 
be seen in line one and two. The sentence “lamin dapat mokaniat” 
has meaning “has been intend”, but the subject and object was not 
found or mentioned in the text. That stated, if in the tradition of 
the people of Sumbawa, got the thing that is intended to be fulfilled 
is the sustenance missed by the Almighty. It is usually appreciated 
in the form of gratitude. One form of gratitude is paying his vow to 
the shrine or the grave.

b. Imagery of Poetry in the collection of lawas Kusaremen Lawas Sia

The physical structure in the old Kusaremen Lawas Sia has 
several types. The structure in the form of images or images is a picture, 
namely the depiction of the senses used by the poet. The images used 
by poets in lawas Kusaremen Lawas Sia include visual imagery, auditory 
imagery, tactile imagery, olfactory imagery, kinesthetic imagery. 
Furthermore, the description described in old Kusaremen Lawas Sia 



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is dominated by visual and kinesthetic imagery. we can see from the 
example contained in the following quotation The interactions that 
often occur in livelihoods are at sea. Because the sea is the link to cross 
one island to another. Incoming ships usually contain merchandise or 
new merchandise. Here’s the old quote buya fortune. The social system 
that is reflected in this old form of trading activity. Relation to the old 
can be seen through the signs, one of which is the visual image, in the 
sentence bari 1. The sentence describes the golden vessel, the meaning 
is, the gold vessel is symbolized to be a source of search for sustenance 
because in addition to work as a voyage or crew screen, there people 
can do the buying and selling as well. Small sampan that anchored on 
the beach will be seen enthusiastic by the citizens because the signs of 
fishermen are bringing the source of fortune, especially if it comes is a 
large ship patterned gold as stated in the excerpt of the old text.

c. Concrete Words

Concrete words has the meaning the concret words like the 
noun in languistics. Concrete words in poetry was words that the senses 
can capture. It was stated by Waluyo (2010: 78) if the concrete words 
could present images. Its mean, concrete words in poetry is one form 
of symbol meaning in poetry. In the example, this following citation of 
lawas was describe  the meaning of poetry by symbol of concrete words.

Buya Rejeki

Balangantu adil boat
Pinane langsung ko kaba
Mana susa katawasi
*(Buya Rejeki/4/3)

Translation

Walking a fair man 
Footsteps directly to the 
Kaaba

Though hard to keep 
laughing

It was stated keywords contained in the old stanza is the Ka’bah 
is a place of worship of Muslims, while it means that if read with one 
sentence and the other is about a just person. Thus, its relationship 
with the cultural system is a matter of worship. The structure of poetry 
that existed in this old is almost complete, physical structure that there 
is even so complete, ranging from images in the form of kinestetik, 
evidenced through the word “walk”. Another is the figurative language 
metaphor is contained in the direct sentence to move the foot to the 



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Ka’bah means slelau worship. Then, on the inner structure all are met 
except the Tone factor and the theme is about spiritual belief, and 
the religious background of the Islamic poet. Islamic religion is very 
attached to the people of Sumbawa, see the customary law is based on 
Islamic law, it is this that forms many attitudes and customs that exist 
in the region Sumbawa. The form of the existing cultural system of 
worship, while the myth that can be studied is about people who have 
good personality, because of diligent worship.

2. Inner Structure

The inner poetry of lawas structure consists of poets, tone, and theme. 
The attitude of the poet is an expression of attitude that is motivated by certain 
factors.

1) Feeling

Poets attitude The most dominated in the old is the attitude of 
the poet by sociological and psychological, as this following citation 
that was describe poets attitude in one of lawas in lawas of Kusaremen 
Lawas Sia.

Lawas “Notang”

Mepang tumpan ae jawa
Adapang tana makasar
Ompapo bangka letelet
*(Notang/5/3)

Translation

Where to get Java rattan
It’s in the land of Napier
tired of this sail boat

Lawas notang stanza two was depicted the overseas outer regions, 
namely to the island of Java. It is characterized by a poetic structure 
that fills the old structural. In the following passage it is explained that 
a person is looking for Javan wood, but it is in Makassar. The poetry 
structure filled in stanza 2 consists of the kinesthetic physical structure, 
which can be proved beyond the phrase “Tired of this sailing boat” 
means conducting a voyage that clearly indicates the existence of a 
movement of activity. This can be attributed also to the inner poetic 
attitude of the poet, who knows the history of Javanese rattan with 
Sumbawa, but instead searches for Makassar. in this case, poets have an 
important role of sociological or psychological experience factors with 
societal attitudes. Then, just as with the first verse notes, themes relate 
to seeking sustenance.



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2) Tone

The tone is the poet’s attitude to his readers. Viewed through its 
tone, the poet much patronizes and dictates in the sense of advising the 
reader. Not to forget also the element of religion became a lot of things 
touched on the theme, related to the customary law of the people of 
Sumbawa adheres to Islamic law.

Lawas “Ngining”:

Mariga cina ling siding
kadu lalo bolang lonto
Maras lampa tuliseno
*(Ngining/4/4)

Translation:

Mariga Chinaon the side
Try going roots
Happy to meet

The event described by the Cina mariga analogy mentioned in 
old ngining. Mariga Cina was a kind of medicinal plant that grows in 
the yard or is intentionally planted. Mariga Cina was a drug that has 
long roots and become the keyword of the old lawas. Mariga china is 
likened to someone who is recommended to connect the relationship 
termed by root roots. Lawas is a private theme of the community, using 
the style of personafikasi language that revives the Chinese mariga 
objects as human beings. The relationship with Chinese mariga is a 
plant that is likened to grow itself and is desirable to be planted in 
many places so that many also get the usefulness as a medicine. Mariga 
china in this case likened to people who live alone. The poet’s tone of 
old is patronizing, because based on the background of the poet whose 
sociological experience is mature, the poet seems to remind the private 
readers of the Sumbawa people that care, so it is necessary to keep the 
relationship. Through struktual relationships are used as markers, then 
the signature is the attitude of kinship, namely the form of care among 
fellow to connect the relationship to the neighbors and the community 
broad.

3) Theme

Themes was clearly defined in all lawas texts. Lawas theme of 
Kusaremen Lawas Sia was to seek sustenance, spiritual belief, social 
interaction, personal community, mutual cooperation, welfare, 
economy, marriage, kinship, love story, and education.

Here was another lawas threw about his honestness and not lie. 



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It was likened to a flower stem spell.

Lawas “Kemang”

Puti mora jontal utan
Nongka kupendek ling bola
Gayo batang bunga eja
*(Kemang/1/5)

Translation

White as clean as Utan palm
Never play lie
It is said to be like a flower spell

A clean white like a palm tree likes the sanctity that wants to 
show that there is no lie and the perpetrator was completely honest 
with what was done. It was said to be like a flower spell. Once lawas 
explanation. Seeing the signs of this lawas physical structure was 
consisted of visual imanji present in the first and third rows. The poet 
sees a white and clean lontar supposedly as a flower, suggesting that the 
poet’s background was based on his psychological and psychological 
experience. Then, he also affirmed with the concrete word of spelling 
meaning a beautiful flower of a kind of kantil flowers, or kenanga 
flowers that are considered very beautiful by the people of Sumbawa. 
Many were mentioned in lawas term was symbolized to a woman. In 
connection  with the explanation of the physical structure earlier, the 
theme in this lawas was a love story, it was proved by the expression of 
praise for a woman who is so holy and good temperament. So there is 
interest in a woman in question.

The phrase reflected a cultural attitude of an honest person. 
Sumbawa people more often use the proverbs and poetry if expressing 
love  or innuendo to someone with a  polite and honest attitude. That 
is the myth that existed in this lawas want to show the behavior of 
people who have good personality is clean and sacred likened to lontar  
clean and beautiful flower spell.  From  that  stated  and  many  sign  in 
the text, the conclude was about love expression, it mean the lawas of 
Kemang theme was love story.



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The structure of poetry in the collection of Lawas Kusaremen ...(Maghfiroh Fajrin, Maman Suryaman)

Table Result of Poetry Structure of Lawas Kusaremen Lawas Sia

Category Sub Category Varian Data sources
a. Phsycal 

Struct ure
1) Imagery 1. Visual

2. Auditory
3. Kinesthetic
4. Tactile
5. Olfactory

Notang2,5, Buya 
Rejeki3,4,7,8,9,11, 
Sangila3,1,5,7 
Ngining1,4,6,7, 
Rara1,4,5,6,
Bola1,3,5,8, 
Bangka2,3, 

Polak Hajat2,6,9, 
Kapincuk2,4,5
,Puntisang5,1,4,3
Sate batemu7 , Balong 
KSB5,
Batana Emas3 Balong 
Bajatu3,4,6,7, 8,9, 
Lawas Nyorong2 

Marari3, Balong 
Parange3,9, Rara2,5 

Polak Pet7,8,
Roro3, 
Kemang1,2
Puti
Kuning1,5,6,
Mantung3,4,
Kemang 
Nika1,2.3,4,7,
Nesal2,Badosa4,
Baguru2
Kewa
Nene3,
Parenang Kubir3
,Durhaka6



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Journal of Social Studies (JSS), Volume 15, Number 2, 2019: 117-144

Category Sub Category Varian Data sources
Figurative 

language
Alegori
Metaphor
Personafic ation
Simile

Notang1,,
Buya
Rejeki3,4,7,
Sangila3,1,5
Ngining4,
Rara1,6,
Bola1,5,
Polak
Hajat2,6,
Kapincuk1
,Puntisang1,
3,4, Harlah
IV2, Batana
Emas2,
Sedia
Sedo1, Desa
Susa9,
Lawas,
Marari3,
Rara2
,Polak
Pet8,Roro3
Kemang1
,Puti
Kuning5,
Mantung3
Kemang
Nika1,2.3,4,7,
Nesal2



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The structure of poetry in the collection of Lawas Kusaremen ...(Maghfiroh Fajrin, Maman Suryaman)

Category Sub Category Varian Data sources
Concrete 

words
Lantung
Ka’bah
Bunga melati, bunga 

eja
Anggur bawean
Ayan
Daun Pisang
Nene’Kaji
Daun Lontar

Notang2,5,
Buya
Rejeki3,4,
Sangila7
Ngining1,4,6,7, ,
Kapincuk2,4,5
,Puntisang5,1,4,3
Nyorong1,
Balong
KSB5, Sedia
Sedo1
Balong
Parange9,
Kemang1,2,
Puti
Kuning1,5,6
Mantung3,4,
Kemang
Nika3,4,7



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Journal of Social Studies (JSS), Volume 15, Number 2, 2019: 117-144

Category Sub Category Varian Data sources
4)  Reth

oric al lang 
uage

a) Tautology
b) Irony
c) Hyperbol
d) Elipsis

Notang2,
Buya
Rejeki4,8,9,10
,11,12, 7
Ngining1,4,6,
kemang1.2,
Rara1,4,5,6,
Bola5,
Bangka4
Polak
Hajat2,6,9,1,7,
Kapincuk2,4
,Puntisang1,
34,5
Balong
KSB5,7,
Batana
Emas1,
Sedia Sedo1
Durhaka1,6,
Balong
Bajatu3,4,6,7,
8,9, Marari3
Balong
Parange3,4,
Rara5,
Polak Pet7,
Puti
Kuning1,5,6,
Mantung3,4,
Kemang
Nika1,6,
Badosa4,1,
Baguru1,



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The structure of poetry in the collection of Lawas Kusaremen ...(Maghfiroh Fajrin, Maman Suryaman)

Category Sub Category Varian Data sources
Inner 

Structure
1) Feeling a) Social and 

Psychological 
Experience

b) Education and 
Employme nt

c) Age
d) Religion

Notang1,5,
Buya
Rejeki3,4,7,10
,11,12,
Sangila1
Ngining1,4,6,
7, Rara1,4,5,6,
Bola1,Bang
ka2,3,4
Polak Hajat2,6,7,9,
Kapincuk2,4
,5,1
,Puntisang1,
4,3
Sate batemu7 ,
Nyorong1,
Balong KSB5,7,
Batana Emas3,1,2,
Balong Bajatu3,4,6,7,
8,9, Harlah KSB IV2,
Sedia Sedo1, Desa
Susa9,
Marari3,
Balong Parange3,9,4
, Rara4,5,
Polak Pet7,8,
Roro3,
Kemang1,
Puti Kuning1,5,6
Mantung3,4,
5, Kemang 

Nika1,2.3,4,7,6
,Nesal2,Badosa4,1,
Baguru2,1
KewaNene3,
Parenang Kubir3
,Durhaka6,1



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Journal of Social Studies (JSS), Volume 15, Number 2, 2019: 117-144

Category Sub Category Varian Data sources
1) Tone a) Patronize

b) dictate
c) Working
closely with
the Readers

Ngining1,4,6,
Rara4,
Bola3,8,
Bangka2,4
Polak Hajat7,
Kapincuk1 ,
Badosa1
,Kemang
Nika2,
Baguru1,
Balong
KSB7 ,
Harlah KSB
IV2 Batana
Emas2,3,
Sedia
Sedo1,
Balong
Bajatu4,9
Lawas
Nyorong2 ,
Polak Pet7



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The structure of poetry in the collection of Lawas Kusaremen ...(Maghfiroh Fajrin, Maman Suryaman)

Category Sub Category Varian Data sources
2) Theme a) Seeking

Sustenance
b) Spiritual
Trust
c) Daily
Intercourse
d) Private
Society
e) Gotong
Royong
f) Prosperity
g) The
economy
h) Marriage
i) Kinship
j) The Story
of Love
k) Education

Notang1,2,5,
Buya
Rejeki3,4,7,8,
9,10,11,12
Sangila1,3,5,7
,
Ngining1,4,6,
7, Nesal2,
Rara1,4,5,6,
Bola1,3,5,8,B
angka2,3,4 ,
Polak
Hajat2,6,7,9,
Kapincuk2,4
,5,1
,Puntisang1,
4,3,5, Sate
batemu7 ,
Nyorong1,
Balong KSB5,7,
Batana Emas3,1,2,
Balong
Bajatu3,4,6,7,
8,9, Harlah KSB IV2,
Sedia Sedo1, Desa 
Susa9,
Marari3,
Balong Parange3,9,4
, Rara2,5, Polak 
Pet7,8,
Roro3, Kemang1,2, 
Puti Kuning1,5,6 
Mantung3,4, 
5,1, Kemang 
Nika1,2.3,4,7,6
Badosa4,1, Baguru2,1 
, Kewa Nene3, 
Parenang Kubir3
,Durhaka6,1, Lawas 
Nyorong2, Marari3



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Journal of Social Studies (JSS), Volume 15, Number 2, 2019: 117-144

The signs in semiology were usually symbolic materials, objects, and 
images. As Bouzida’s search (2014: 1003) the marker has the material nature 
of whether the sounds, objects, or drawings of his concept of a marker are 
an extension of what Saussure describes though he disagrees with it in some 
respects, it is also impossible to separate it. from the signified that they have 
associative properties.

The first result of the research is, the structure of poetry consists of 
physical and mental structure. the physical structure in lawas of Kusaremen Lawas 
Sia had several types. The structure in  the form  of  images  or  images  was a 
picture, namely the depiction of the senses used  by the poet. The images was 
used by poets in lawas Kusaremen Lawas Sia includied visual imagery, auditory     
imagery, tactile imagery, olfactory imagery, kinesthetic imagery. Furthermore, 
the description described in old Kusaremen Lawas Sia is dominated by visual 
and kinesthetic imagery.

Then, the style of language in this lawas there are two, namely the style of 
rhetorical language and figurative or figurative style of language. Both styles of 
language are categorized as a style of language that has an indirect meaning, or 
according to Keraf (2010) the style of language based on the meaning measured 
from the directness of meaning, ie whether the reference yag still retain the 
meaning of denotatifnya or existing irregularities. The language styles contained 
in lawas of kusaramen lawas sia averages use meanings that deviate from their 
denotative meanings. There are a number of figurative languages dominated 
by metaphors and similes, while the style of rhetorical language is dominated 
by ellipsis. This indicates that the people of Sumbawa often use figurative 
language in the phrase. Furthermore, concrete words, its function is as a 
keyword or affirmation of intent in lawas text. Some nouns and places become 
parts affirmed by poet as symbols and signs in the connotation language used. 
Among them, such as flower spell, jabal hood and others.

The second structure of the poetry structure is the inner structure. Among 
them are the attitude of the poet (feeling), tone (tone), and theme (theme). First, 
the attitude of the poet is an element of inner attitudes that many appear in the 
text. Some of them are motivated by elements of sociological and psychological 
experience of poets as cultural and Sumbawa indigenous people. A strong 
religious background element in the poet’s self as well as the age-old link that 
has been half a century more. The second is Tone. Viewed through its tone, the 
poet much patronizes and dictates in the sense of advising the reader. Not to 
forget also the element of religion became a much-touted thing in the theme, 



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The structure of poetry in the collection of Lawas Kusaremen ...(Maghfiroh Fajrin, Maman Suryaman)

related to the customary law of the people of Sumbawa adhering to Islamic law. 
Third, the theme is clearly affirmed in all lawas texts. Lawas theme of Kusaremen 
Lawas Sia was to seek sustenance, spiritual belief, social interaction, personal 
community, mutual cooperation, welfare, economy, marriage, kinship, love 
story, and education.

Conclusion
The results of this study and findings were lawas of Kusaramen Lawas Sia 

had the structure  of poetry consisted of physical structure and inner structure. 
Lawas physical structures consisted of figurative languages; retore language, 
images and inner structures, among them the poet’s tone, poet’s attitude, and 
themes. It was stated that lawas was the result of people’s thinking on a high-
level pattern because the community had known the analogy, thus describing 
the advanced and adaptive society.

Lawas text Kusaremen Lawas Sia had a poetry structure consisting 
of physical structure and inner structure. It states that lawas is the result of 
people’s thinking is in a high-level pattern because the community has known 
the analogy, sehigga describe the advanced and adaptive society. In addition, the 
structure of images in the old text that is dominated by visual imagery in the 
form of images of vision and kinestetik in the form of motion. The geographical 
conditions of the Sumbawa region surrounded by mountains, oceans and rice 
fields are the objects of visual and motion imagery depicted by community work 
as sailing fishermen, farmers, timber workers, and everyday patterns of active 
daily behavior. This can be seen from the poetry structure that dominates the 
labeling of lawas Kusaremen Lawas Sia was the style of metaphor language and 
the attitude of the poet. Therefore, it is concluded, the myths in the old most of 
the stages start from the identification of the structure of poetry. Judging from 
the use of many language styles, it is also concluded that the people of Sumbawa 
tend to use parables and figurative language in expressing their intentions. It is 
also often encountered in everyday life.

Acknowladgements
Literary works are part of the cultural spirit of society, so it was lawas that 

reflects the life of the community. Seeing the fact of the lack of appreciation 
of society and the present generation with the work of lawas literature, this 
research is expected to be the motivation and awaken the public in general will 



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Journal of Social Studies (JSS), Volume 15, Number 2, 2019: 117-144

pntingnya local literary works as a cultural heritage for future generations. This 
is also overwhelmed by Mujib’s opinion, as a regional cultural actor who grew 
up in the old family of poets that the old facts are currently troubling, because 
the teenagers and children are still lay with the old production, it could be a 
time the old poet will be lessened its existence.

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