AA Navis

​Ali Akbar Navis, commonly known as AA Navis, was a prominent Indonesian author, poet, and humorist, known for his sharp wit and deep social commentary.

Navis showed signs of creativity from a young age. Before discovering his talents as a writer, he was an accomplished flautist and viola player. He was also a skilled painter. After graduating from the Indonesisch Nederlandsche School (INS) – a Dutch-language teachers’ school in Kayu Tanam – in 1945, he began work as head of production at a Japanese-owned porcelain factory.

His skill as a writer led to his appointment on the Central Sumatra Cultural Committee from 1953–55, and his good English language skills meant he was often asked to assist foreign scholars studying Minangkabau culture.

Navis rose to prominence with the short story Surau Kami in 1955, which was voted one of the three best stories of the year by the literary magazine Kisah. The story was considered very brave in criticizing religious piety that neglects social responsibility. His collection of short stories was released under the same title in 1956 and has since been translated into English, German, and Japanese.

Over the course of his career, Navis wrote 22 books, including short stories, novels, poetry, children’s stories, radio plays, and essays on cultural and social issues. He also contributed to five anthologies with other poets and eight anthologies abroad. His academic engagement was equally prolific, producing 106 papers later compiled in A Walk Along the Way.

Navis’s influence remains strong in Indonesia’s literary and cultural discourse. His novel Kemarau (Drought) explored the struggles of rural communities, while his short stories continue to be studied for their critique of Minangkabau traditions and Indonesian society. Recent academic discussions and student adaptations of his work—such as the performance of Bayangan by Andalas University students—underscore the enduring relevance of his ideas. Scholars have also highlighted how his stories can aid in understanding Indonesian cultural values, especially for language learners and international audiences.