“It will also become a global cultural hub, rooted in tradition and driven by a unifying national spirit,” Head of the OIKN Authority Basuki Hadimuljono said in North Penajam Paser on Saturday when asked about the 2025 Nusantara Chopstick Festival held in Sepaku, North Penajam Paser.
The festival has been organized as part of efforts to preserve ancestral culture in Nusantara and is a part of the OIKN Authority’s official calendar, reflecting the potential and enthusiasm for cultural development, he pointed out.
The spirit of the Chopsticks Festival, held on August 1 and 2, 2025, in conjunction with the 8th Congress of the Indonesian Diaspora at the IKN, aligns with the OIKN Authority’s efforts to inventory and design a more structured cultural agenda for the new national capital.
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“This year, we’ve taken inventory of cultural festivals, chopstick festivals, and various other events. Considering the potential and enthusiasm, we’ll implement something better next year,” he said.
The Chopsticks Festival was attended by participants from various regions in Kalimantan, including East Kalimantan, North Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, and West Kalimantan.
Deputy for social affairs, culture, and community empowerment at the OIKN Authority, Alimuddin, informed that the festival also attracted participants from Brunei Darussalam.
He added that the festival is envisaged to become an annual event that draws participants from other parts of the world, such as Australia.
The chopstick is a traditional weapon of the Kalimantan people, particularly the Dayak community.
For the Dayak, the chopstick is not just a hunting tool, but also a symbol of strength, courage, and agility. Mastering it is a rite of passage in the national tradition and a mark of maturity.
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Translator: Nyaman Bagus Purwaniawan, Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
