Jember's Ancak Agung Procession Secures Two MURI World Records

The Ancak Agung Cultural Parade of Jember Regency, held on Saturday (22/8/2026), successfully recorded two records with the Indonesian World Records Museum (MURI), namely the Tallest Ancak Made from Suwar-Suwir Packaging and the Largest Ancak Agung Procession.

The two records were announced by MURI representative Ari Andriani during a joint prayer and shalawat event at Jember Square on Saturday evening.

According to a written statement from the Jember Regency Government, the record for the Tallest Ancak Made from Suwar-Suwir Packaging was achieved with an ancak measuring 3.7 metres in height, decorated with 1,600 packages or approximately 32,000 pieces of suwar-suwir. Meanwhile, MURI’s verification recorded 527 ancak taking part in the procession, surpassing the previous record of 449 ancak.

Ari said the two achievements were confirmed as world records because they highlight Jember’s local wisdom. Previously, the committee had proposed 1,000 ancak. However, due to the relatively short preparation time available, MURI set a minimum increase of 10 per cent from the previous record as the threshold for breaking the record.

“After we verified this morning, there were 527 Ancak Agung,” said Ari.

MURI challenged the Jember Regency Government to increase the number of participants to 1,000 ancak at next year’s event.

This year’s procession carried the theme “Preserving Tradition, Strengthening Ukhuwah, Elevating Jember’s Dignity”. Participants paraded ancak containing agricultural produce and traditional foods as a symbol of gratitude to Allah SWT and an expression of love for the Prophet Muhammad SAW.

The tradition also reflects the spirit of mutual cooperation and the richness of Jember’s agricultural produce. Various agricultural products and traditional foods were creatively arranged in the ancak, then paraded together as a form of preserving a tradition passed down through generations.

Hundreds of participants from regional government organisations, community health centres, sub-districts, villages, schools, and community institutions took part. In the competition among participants, SMPN 6 Jember won first place, followed by Roxy Mall in second place and SMPN 2 Jember in third place.

Jember Regent Muhammad Fawait said the achievement of two world records was not merely about numbers, but a momentum to preserve tradition and strengthen community mutual cooperation.

“This is not just about records, but how we preserve Jember’s traditions and community mutual cooperation. Next year we want it to be even bigger, with a target of 1,000 ancak. Hopefully this spirit will continue to grow and become a source of pride for the people of Jember,” said Fawait.