What Is Bila Bulan Menegur Salam Majas?
What is Bila Bulan Menegur Salam Majas?
Bila Bulan Menegur Salam is a unique figure of speech in the Malay language, also known as a majas in literary terms. It is used to describe a situation where two people are sharing a greeting, but one person is being more polite than the other. The phrase literally translates to “when the moon greets the salutation”, and is often used to describe a situation where a person of higher status is showing respect to a person of lower status.
Origins of Bila Bulan Menegur Salam Majas
The phrase is thought to have originated in 15th century Malay literature, and is believed to be derived from an old proverb. The proverb reads “When the moon greets the salutation, the sun must follow.” This proverb is used to describe the respect that is expected in a hierarchical society. It is also used to show that those of higher status should be humble and show respect to those of lower status.
Uses of Bila Bulan Menegur Salam Majas
The phrase is often used in modern day Malay literature to describe a situation where one person is showing respect to another. It can also be used to describe a situation where one person is being humble and showing respect to another. The phrase is used to emphasize the importance of humility and respect in any situation.
Examples of Bila Bulan Menegur Salam Majas
A good example of the phrase being used is in the Malay novel “Buku-Buku” by author Anuar Zain. In the novel, a poor man is invited to the wedding of a rich man, and is greeted with respect by the bride and groom. The poor man is humbled by the gesture and comments “Bila Bulan Menegur Salam” as a way of showing his appreciation.
Conclusion
Bila Bulan Menegur Salam is a unique figure of speech in the Malay language, also known as a majas in literary terms. It is used to describe a situation where two people are sharing a greeting, but one person is being more polite than the other. The phrase is used to emphasize the importance of humility and respect in any situation and is often found in Malay novels.
