Muna holds Kaghati Kolope competition to preserve ancient kites

The Muna Regency government in Southeast Sulawesi, through Liangkabori Village, held the ‘Kaghati Kolope’ Kite Festival in the Liangkobori Cave cultural heritage area as an effort to preserve the traces of civilisation in the form of ancient kites. Head of the Muna Regency Tourism Office, LM Masrul, stated on Sunday that the festival is an important moment to reintroduce local traditions to the younger generation so they are not eroded by the times. ‘This Kaghati Kolope kite is an ancient kite. Its historical traces are clearly recorded at the Liangkobori Cave site, where there are prehistoric wall paintings depicting people flying kites,’ Masrul said. He mentioned that the uniqueness of the Kaghati Kolope lies in its materials, which have been entirely sourced from nature for generations. Dried forest tuber leaves (kolope) are used as the main body material, bamboo for the frame, and pineapple fibre or tree bark fibre for the string. ‘Apart from its historical value, this tradition is also full of profound philosophy regarding the harmony between humans and nature, the spirit of mutual cooperation, and the strengthening of regional cultural identity,’ he said. Masrul explained that the Kaghati Kolope competition includes several assessment criteria, such as the natural aspect, where all materials used must be entirely traditional, as well as flying ability and the accessories used on the kite. ‘There are seven traditional kites and around 20 creative kites participating,’ he explained. He expressed hope that consistent preservation of the Kaghati Kolope would not only maintain the existence of Muna’s ancestral culture but also be promoted as a strategic cultural tourism attraction. One participant, Laode Sainal, said the process of making a single kite could take days. ‘This kite uses kolope leaves taken directly from the forest by craftsmen. The time it takes to make one depends on skill. Some can finish in a day, but others need up to five days. The kite I am using took five days to make,’ Laode said.