Si Tenggang's homecoming - by Muhammad Haji Salleh

1.	The poem has 6 stanzas.
2.	Literally the poem is a reflection of Si Tenggang's return to his homeland after his journey overseas. The journey has widened his perspective of life.He had learnt to to think differently and was eager to share his new-found knowledge with his people. He tried to convince them that nevertheless he is still a 'Malay' at heart and had never abandoned the Malay culture.
3.	Unfortunately, his people could not understand the change in him and they were afraid that his experience and knowledge will threatened their customs and familiar ways of life.
4.	Figuratively, the poem also explores the' symbolic journey' of the poet heart and soul. The persona is someone who is very much aware of his identity as a Malay even though he had gone overseas to acquire knowledge and experience. The new-found knowledge has broadened his perspective of life, yet, he still retains his Malay culture and identity. The persona feels that the Malay culture are already well defined and perfect, but he hopes to upgrade his people's way of life with the new knowledge that he had brought home.