D. Zawawi Imron

Photo by Serge Ligtenberg

In the realm of Indonesia poetry, D. Zawawi Imron is known as the poet of “The Golden Sickle.” He was born in Batang-batang, Sumenep, Madura 1946—place where he lives and makes poems, and becomes a lecturer of Training College for Religion Teachers. Zawawi includes as a genuine autodidact person who holds on to write poems for almost three decades (30 years), and still. He is also known and being considerable at the beginning in the world of Indonesia poetry when Subagio Sastrowardoyo, one of the famous critics, had an attention to his poems. Subagio gave a special time to discuss Zawawi’s poem in “Pertemuan Sastrawan Nusantara” in Makassar, 1982.

He has already published his collections Semerbak Mayang (1997), Madura, Akulah Lautmu (1978), Bulan Tertusuk Lalang (1982), Celurit Emas (1986), Derap-Derap Tasbih (1993), Berlayar Di Pamor Badik (1994), Lautmu Tak Habis Gelombang (1996), Bantalku Ombak Selimutku Angin (1996), and Madura, Akulah Darahmu (1999). His poem, "Bulan Tertusuk Lalang", has been incarnated into film by the famous Indonesian movie director, Garin Nugroho. He also won the 1985 prize for Best Book. His collection of poems, Nenek Moyangku Airmata (1985) was awarded by the Department of Education and Culture (1987). In 1990, again Nenek Moyangku Airmata, and his other collection of poems, Celurit Emas (1986) were chosen by Center of Language Development as the best book of that year. The last book was published is Kelenjar Laut (2009).

Besides, Zawawi joined The Winternachten Oversea Poetry Festival in Jakarta; and in January 2002, again, he joined the Winternachten Poetry Festival in The Hague. He also wrote and collected Madura folklores such as; Ni Peri Tunjung Wulan (1979), Bagascara Ragapadmi (1980), Cerita Rakyat Dari Madura (1993). Recently, Zawawi remain lives in Batang-Batang, a small village in eastern Madura. ("Saswaloka")