Dance Flash Mob 2025
"Cuk Mak Ilang”
"Cuk Mak Ilang” is one of the most beloved folk songs from South Sumatra, especially Palembang. Playful and poetic, it is built in the form of pantun—traditional Malay quatrains that weave together humor, longing, and wisdom.
Behind its cheerful rhythm and catchy refrain, “Cuk Mak Ilang, Mak Ilang Jaga Batu”, lies a deeper story of yearning. The verses speak of everyday life: songket cloth from Palembang, tropical fruits, the flowing river, yet between the lines, they express emotions of love, loss, and the ache of separation.
For the people of South Sumatra, this song is more than entertainment. It is a cultural mirror, preserving the art of language, the beauty of music, and the values of community life. For those far from home, Cuk Mak Ilang becomes a vessel of memory, carrying the sound of the Musi River, the sparkle of Palembang’s songket, and the warmth of their homeland.
To hear Cuk Mak Ilang is to be reminded of where we come from. It celebrates identity, awakens nostalgia, and keeps alive the spirit of South Sumatra for generations to come.