Page 98 - BAB I-V ADATMINANG

2. Proverb

Regarding the definition of petitih, there are many
different opinions, including the following, that the first and

second lines in a 4-line pantun are called proverbs, if their

contents are related to natural laws. Meanwhile, in the third and
fourth lines, which describe the essence of the gatherer's

intention, it is called petitih.
However, in addition to the above opinion, Navis argues

that: "If the proverb is a sentence of natural law that humans
interact with, then petitih is a law that must be lived by humans

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in their association with nature"
As explained above, the proverb contains teachings or
sentences that describe natural laws relating to humans. And

petitih is a law that must be lived by fellow human beings in
their association with nature. Therefore, between the proverb

and petitih there is a close relationship both in terms of form
and in terms of the order of thought.

In speech petitih is often said after (following the

proverb). And no petitih is spoken before the proverb. If we
look at our opinion that petitih is always beside the proverb,

then petitih is the main complement of the proverb. Example:

You are a mandakai

56 AA Navis, Alam Takambang Becomes a Teacher, p. 257