Bakar Tongkang Ritual: Chinese Ancestral Tradition Endures in Bagansiapiapi

Residents of Chinese descent performed the Bakar Tongkang ritual in Bagansiapiapi, Rokan Hilir, Riau, on Wednesday (1/7/2026). The annual ritual, which commemorates the history of the arrival of Chinese ancestors in the region, has been designated by the government as a national tourism agenda. Before the tongkang is burned, prayers are offered as an expression of gratitude, as well as hopes for safety, blessings, and prosperity for the community that has preserved this tradition for generations. The wooden tongkang that is burned symbolises the ship that once brought the Chinese ancestors to Bagansiapiapi. The tradition serves as a reminder of the journey, courage, and the beginning of a new life that subsequently flourished in Riau. Beyond being a cultural ritual for the Chinese community, the Bakar Tongkang has also been established as a national tourism agenda. Amidst the festivities, this tradition continues to preserve historical memory while strengthening cross-generational and cross-cultural togetherness.