ABSTRACT
The Brunei Malay Sha’er is a lengthy poem composed of quatrains with rhyme scheme aaa bbb ccc, etc. Brunei Malay Sha’er were written in Jawi (Malay language written in Arabic script) and spoke of religious, socio-political, cultural or historical matters. The Sha’er Awang Simaun is the Brunei Malay origin and mode of being epic, and a quintessential part of the culture. Sha’er recitation was an important part of traditional Brunei Malay culture, but it has not previously been described in the literature. Sha’er composers used specific linguistic features such as a weak vowel harmony, to produce a recitable text; and reciters would modify a text as necessary in order to produce a pleasing sound. The Brunei Malay sha’er reciter’s art involves five main elements: (1) knowledge and total production of the basic sha’er line; (2) split-tone voice; (3) voice quality and timbre; (4) distinctive enunciation; and (5) a well-turned sense for the complex aesthetics involved in a recitation performance. Sha’er recitation is a learned skill; the student must perform according to precise technical criteria and be able to face a large and knowledgeable audience. Advanced instruction emphasises voice care, breathing techniques, and refinement of all aspects of performance. Though diminishing, Brunei Malay sha’er is still a living art.
