Zawawi Imron is a poet and cultural figure from Madura, widely known as “The Poet of the Golden Sickle.” Born in Sumenep, Madura, on April 3, 1946, Zawawi gained national recognition in Indonesian literature after participating in the Ten Cities Poets Gathering at Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta, in 1982. His works reflect a harmonious blend of Islamic spirituality, humanistic values, and the local wisdom of Madura, conveyed through language that is both lyrical and profound. His poetry collection Bulan Tertusuk Ilalang (The Moon Pierced by Grass Blades) inspired filmmaker Garin Nugroho to produce a feature film of the same title. His poetry book Celurit Emas (The Golden Sickle, 1986) received an award from the Jakarta Arts Council, and in 2012, he was honored with the Anugerah Seni (Art Award) from the Government of the Republic of Indonesia for his dedication to literature. That same year, he also received the S.E.A. Write Award from the Royal Family of Thailand. Beyond poetry, Zawawi is also active as a preacher and cultural speaker, promoting moral and spiritual values through both spoken and written literature. His poems have been translated into various languages, establishing him as one of the most important voices in modern Indonesian literature and spirituality.
