A. Samad Said

Translated Verison of ‘Unggun Bersih' by A Samad Said

 

Clean Bonfire

Abused by embers, we're all getting ill -

to call out to the message of independence,

We manage still democracy,

as brilliant as the sun yearning for the desire of sincere self-regard.

 

We've long been restless - democracy is wounded;

we've long been wounded - democracy is ill.

A supercilious democracy, disgusted us;

A strong voice of liberty, we desired!

 

Two centuries ago, Samuel Adams exclaimed

(in Boston where tea was poured into the blue sea):

We don't need a loud fluffy cheerleading

What we need is just an eminent bonfire.

 

Let's light up that sacred bonfire;

Let's spread out that sacred flame.
(Adapted from: Here and Edmund Yeo's Film Director Web)

 

The Bersih Fire 
As the coals that molest us rage higher
we shout still the message of Merdeka
for democracy as bright as the sun
as pure as dignity our purpose is one

Deep is our worry – as democracy’s wounds
long is our sadness – as democracy’s woes
at arrogant democracy we scorn
for a strong free voice we dream

Two centuries ago Sam Adams decreed
in Boston was tea poured into blue seas
no need for riotous shouts full of ire
only for a truly heartfelt fire

Alight now the sacred fire
spread afar raging higher.

(Another Translation taken from Edmund Yeo's Film Director Web and Here.)

 

 

Themes:

This poem talks about true freedom and the falsehood of democracy. The word "Merdeka" used represents a freed slave and indepandence. 

 

The title has great significance. Bonfire represents a large fire used to burn rubbish as a part of a celebration. The fire on one hand seems to mimics the burning of forests/deforestation due to modernization. On a figurative/connotative level, it also represents the burning of corruption and lies. It is interesting how "Unggun" means clean. The fire is described to be "sacred", "heartfelt" and "eminent" which are all positive traits associated to the burning fire. Clean Bonfire is a paradox as bonfires are made of rubbish which contrasts with clean. This paradox parallels with the idea of democracy which is mean to represent freedom and equal rights for all but eventually it is corrupted politically. This is supported by evidence from the poem that says that "democracy is wounded... democracy is ill".

 

"Kita" means the collative "we" pronoun and is repeated throughout the poem. This contrasts with the poem "The dead crow" which has more "I" pronouns. The "we" represents a collective community that works together to fight against democracy.

 

Style: 

The Style of the poem is Free Verse which connotes a sense of freedom. It nicely compliments the message of the poem which is to fight for freedom and away from the structures that are held up by political corruption.

 

Using the symbol of the fire helps to paint a visual image for readers. The use of figurative language adds more meaning to words and also create spend when it is being read as it is not long winded. 

 

This poem is accompanied by an audio track. Both the oral reading of the text and the background guitar playing reflects a calm and melancholic state. This reflects themelancholic tone demanded by the poem. 

 

Social and Political Issues:

The political issues here are screaming from every line. It is interesting how the poems says "no need for riotous shouts full of ire" and talks about the power of coming together as a community and not accepting all these corrupted views. 

 

The poem points at the Boston Tea Party, which points to the concerns of breaking away from being submissive slaves to the corrupted political system.