[ARTIKEL] 13 Aug 2021

Independence activities in various regions in Indonesia

For the people of Indonesia, August is a special month to celebrate Independence Day. In addition to being commemorated with a flag ceremony, other activities in various regions are also diverse and have their own uniqueness.

Not only decorating and decorating villages and residences with various knick-knacks, some areas also often hold other traditions that make the celebration more lively. Activities to fill independence in each region are usually adapted to the local culture itself and have been held and preserved for generations.

Some of the activities to fill independence, for example, are as follows:

1. Tirakatan Tradition, Java

Tirakatan is a mandatory tradition that is usually carried out every night on August 16. This event is usually attended by elders and village officials, as well as local residents. The arrangement of the program includes reading poetry or remembering the services of heroes, a moment of silence, praying together, and then continuing with a meal together in one village. Tirakatan is usually done by people in the area of ​​​​the island of Java, but tirakatan is also carried out in other areas by the Javanese because they transmigrate, so that their culture is brought and preserved there.

2. Dragon Boat Rowing Competition, Banjarmasin

Dragon Boat Rowing is a typical game of Banjarmasin City, this tradition often enlivens the atmosphere of August. The Dragon Boat Rowing Competition has been held since 1924, this rowing competition is routinely held every year on the Martapura River, Banjarmasin City. This rowing competition is not only used as entertainment when welcoming the anniversary of independence, but also as a means to find seeds for reliable rowers.

3. Telok Abang Festival, Palembang

The word 'telok' means 'egg' while 'abang' means 'red color'. In practice, residents boil chicken eggs or duck eggs and then give them red food coloring and then stick them on a boat or other vehicle. At this time, Telok Abang is also starting to be developed in the form of children's toys such as toy planes, toy boats and various other types of toy creativity to celebrate independence.

4. Jampana Parade, Bandung

The Jampana parade or stretcher parade was carried out by several people carrying stretchers containing the creations of residents in turn, accompanied by traditional and contemporary music. The stretcher in this parade is not just one, but there are dozens. The produce that is on the stretcher will then be contested by the parade participants and residents who witnessed the parade. Then, the food that is also on the stretcher will be eaten together.

5. Peresean, Lombok

Peresean is a traditional art of the Sasak people of Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. This tradition brings together pepadu from various corners of Lombok to compete for agility and attack each other armed with rattan and shields made of cow or buffalo skin. This event is still a tradition that is always carried out every time we welcome the Indonesian Independence Day. This event contains the meaning of brotherhood and chivalry of a man who is tested through this game.

6. The Pacu Kude Tradition, Aceh

This tradition that has been carried out by the people of Aceh is a folk game that existed during the Dutch colonial period which was usually played after harvest. After Indonesia's independence, precisely in 1956, this game was officially taken over by the local government. Since then, the government and the people of Aceh have considered Pacu Kude a symbol of the people's struggle for independence. This competition must be followed by children to teenagers aged 12 to 20 years.

This is an article about unique activities and traditions to fill independence in each region. There are still many other traditions that exist in various regions in Indonesia. Besides being sacred and adrenaline-pumping, each of these activities also has a deep moral message about the struggle for the independence of the Republic of Indonesia.

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