"All the activities we showcase here are a generational legacy that grows and develops in the community," the Head of the Culture, Tourism and Sports Office of Central Bangka, Zainal, explained here on Sunday.
The festival, which took place at the Tapak Antu Beach, Batu Belubang Village, showcased several competitions and traditional games such as displaying betet birds (Psittacula alexandri), pangkak igik karet, collecting clams activity ngeremis, the province's traditional dance rudat, recreational sports adu kerito surong, celebratory tradition nganggung, and the parade of 1,000 telur khatam.
"This activity is being held until October 31, 2022, and the public is very enthusiastic about participating in this, especially in the kerito surong competition and the betet competition," he said.
Meanwhile, Central Bangka District Head Algafry Rahman said that the Selawang Segantang Festival is a platform for the community to express their artistic and cultural creativities.
"This is a place for people from all walks of life to express art and culture, while increasing the attractiveness and love for regional culture and traditions," Rahman said after attending the festival.
He said that the festival implementation aimed to preserve the traditional arts and culture of the region.
Furthermore, he expected that the festival can be held more attractively next year, to attract more tourists visiting Central Bangka.
"Thus, the Selawang Segantang Festival not only aims to preserve regional culture, but also has an impact on the tourism and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) sector," he said.
According to the Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Ministry, Nganggung is one of the traditions carried out in the Bangka Belitung's Malay community.
Nganggung is the custom of bringing food to one large meeting place, usually to a mosque, surau (Islamic assembly building), langgar, and field during Islamic observances such as after the Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha prayers.
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Translator: Ahmadi, Kenzu
Editor: Sri Haryati
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