Enjit-Enjit Semut

"Enjit-Enjit Semut is a traditional children song that comes from the area of Batanghari, Jambi Province in Sumatra, Indonesia. Traditional songs from Jambi usually resemble poems." -Lin

The chorus is sometimes chanted alone as part of a game.

Game Instructions:

Two or more people play in a circle. Each person puts a hand on top of the hand of the player next to them while pinching the hand beneath theirs until all of the hands are stacked one on top of the other. It sort of looks like ants on top of each other. Then they start chanting the chorus over and over. After each line, the hand on the bottom goes up to the top. 

To download the easy alphanotes and chords sheet music, look here. Enjoy!

Lyrics: 

 

enjit enjit semut

siapa sakit naik atas
enjit enjit semut
siapa sakit naik atas

enjit enjit semut
siapa sakit naik atas
enjit enjit semut
siapa sakit naik atas

dualah tiga kucing berlari
mana nak sama si kucing belang
dualah tiga bolehku cari
mana nak sama dik oii
abang seorang


pisanglah emas dibawa belayar

masak sebiji di atas peti

hutanglah emas boleh dibayar
hutang lah budi dik oii
di bawa mati

enjit enjit semut
siapa sakit naik atas
enjit enjit semut
siapa sakit naik atas


enjit enjit semut

siapa sakit naik atas
enjit enjit semut
siapa sakit naik atas

dualah tiga kucing berlari
mana nak sama si kucing belang
dualah tiga bolehku cari
mana nak sama dik oii
abang seorang

pisanglah emas dibawa belayar
masak sebiji di atas peti
hutanglah emas boleh dibayar
hutang lah budi dik oii
di bawa mati 

English Translation 

enjit enjit semut who is sick of going upstairs
enjit enjit semut
who is sick of going upstairs enjit enjit semut
who is sick of going upstairs
enjit enjit semut
who is sick of going upstairs Two or three cats ran
Where do you want the striped cat
Two or three I can find
where do you want the same dik oii
a brother golden bananas are brought to sail cook one on a crate gold debt can be paid
Debt is your kindness
taken to death enjit enjit semut
who is sick of going upstairs
enjit enjit semut
who is sick of going upstairs enjit enjit semut who is sick of going upstairs
enjit enjit semut
who is sick of going upstairs Two or three cats ran
Where do you want the striped cat
Two or three I can find
where do you want the same dik oii
a brother golden bananas are brought to sail
cook one on a crate
gold debt can be paid
Debt is your kindness
taken to death