Pampang Cultural Village: Celebrating Dayak Kenyah Heritage

TIMESINDONESIA, JAKARTA – The Pampang Cultural Traditional Village in Samarinda City became the centre of attention on June 20, 2024, with the opening of the 2024 Pampang Cultural Village Harvest Party and Anniversary. The event, held over four days, celebrated the vibrant Dayak Kenyah cultural festival.

The opening ceremony was officiated by the Regional Secretary of Samarinda City, Hero Mardanus Satyawan, who emphasized preserving local culture and traditions. Also in attendance was H Muslimin, Head of the Samarinda City Youth, Sports, and Tourism Office, highlighting the government's commitment to cultural activities and tourism development.

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The festival featured traditional events, art performances, handicraft exhibitions, and Dayak Kenyah culinary specialties. It served as a platform for showcasing and preserving cultural heritage while strengthening relations between locals and tourists, thus promoting economic growth through tourism. The high community enthusiasm and government support suggest that the festival could be a successful model for other regions.

Chopsticks, traditional weapons of the Dayak tribe. (FOTO: disporapar smd/TIMES Indonesia)

The Historical and Cultural Significance of Pampang Village

Pampang Village, located in Samarinda City, East Kalimantan, is a testament to the cultural diversity and history of the Dayak people. The village's formation dates back to the 18th and 19th centuries, when the Dayak people migrated from dense forests to more fertile areas, including what is now Samarinda City.

Situated by the riverside, Pampang became a hub for economic and social activities, led by traditional chiefs and community leaders who preserved cultural traditions.

Despite changes during the Dutch colonial period, the Dayak people in Pampang maintained their customs and traditions. Today, Pampang Village is a center for preserving Dayak Kenyah culture, with traditional ceremonies, dances, and handicrafts promoted as part of cultural tourism.

Dayak dance with hornbills. (Foto:Al Taufik/TIMES Indonesia)

The village's adaptation to modernization while preserving its traditions makes it a significant cultural tourism destination in Kalimantan.

The Harvest Festival: A Cultural Celebration

Every year, Pampang Village hosts a Harvest Festival, celebrating the Dayak community's produce, traditions, and identity. The 2024 Harvest Festival, from June 20 to 23, showcased cultural preservation efforts. The festival began with an opening ceremony, attended by Hero Mardanus Satyawan and H Muslimin, who praised the cultural richness and stressed the importance of tradition.

The Harvest Festival featured traditional ceremonies, including a rice-cutting ritual symbolizing gratitude to ancestors and gods. Traditional elders, dressed in colorful attire, performed dances and sang songs, passing cultural values to younger generations.

The festival also included Dayak Kenyah dance performances and a handicraft exhibition, where visitors could purchase local products like wicker weaving and wood carvings, each telling a story about Dayak life and beliefs.

Dayak Kenyah cuisine was another highlight, with dishes like yellow rice, grilled fish, and cassava leaf vegetables offering unique flavors and playing an important role in rituals and celebrations. The festival had significant social and economic impacts, strengthening community bonds and boosting the local economy through increased tourism.

Preserving and Promoting Dayak Kenyah Culture

The Harvest Festival in Pampang Village exemplifies how communities can preserve and celebrate their cultural heritage. The event honors the harvest and revitalizes traditions passed down through generations.

With government support and community participation, the Harvest Festival continues to highlight the rich Dayak Kenyah culture and solidify its place in East Kalimantan's identity.

The Pampang Cultural Village Harvest Party and Anniversary is more than just a festival; it is a celebration of the Dayak Kenyah community’s enduring legacy and vibrant traditions. By bringing together locals and tourists, the event not only showcases the unique cultural heritage of the Dayak Kenyah people but also fosters economic growth and social cohesion.

As Pampang Village continues to adapt to modern times while preserving its rich history, it stands as a model for cultural preservation and tourism development in Kalimantan and beyond. (Adv)

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