One of three stories prepared for the Kutai Page
One of three stories prepared for the Kutai Page
checked EJK
Erau Festival expected to boost tourist industry
The Regency of Kutai Kartanegara in East Kalimantan is holding
a grand party. This will be no ordinary affair as the event --
the Erau Festival 2003 -- will involve thousands of artists and
performers, beginning on Saturday and lasting for 10 days.
The Zapin International Festival will also be held in
conjunction with Erau. Zapin or jepen is the traditional Malay
dance of the people of Kutai. The festival will involve five
countries, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines
and Indonesia. China will hold a lantern festival as part of the
celebrations.
Coordinating Minister of Public Welfare Jusuf Kalla is
scheduled to launch the Erau festival -- of which the highlight
will be a dance performed by 1,100 dancers -- while 500
volunteers will form a configuration.
Traditional and modern music will entertain the guests, and
fireworks will adorn the night sky on Sunday.
The festival will incorporate dance performances, traditional
and modern theater, concerts, art and handicraft exhibitions,
cultural displays, a boat festival and a carnival. The events
will be held at different locations, including the town of
Tenggarong, the Mahakam River, the Kedaton (or Palace of Kutai
Kartanegara) and the Kumala resort island.
Participants are expected to come from all over the country,
as well as from Kutai and its surrounding areas, including the
Dayak.
"Erau Festival is not just about entertainment or art and
cultural activities. It is about unity and peace," the regent of
Kutai Kartanegara, Syaukani HR, said.
"This is an event where people can get to know each other, to
respect each other and to promote friendship and peace," he
added.
Minister of Tourism and Culture I Gde Ardhika enthusiastically
supports the event, hoping that Erau Festival and the Zapin
International Festival will help promote domestic and
international tourism.
Kutai is developing its tourism industry to safeguard itself
against dwindling natural resources in the regency, such as coal,
oil and gas.
"Sooner or latter, natural resources will no longer be
sufficient. Therefore we are now working hard on the development
of three sectors: human resources, agriculture and tourism,"
Syaukani said.
A total of Rp 2 billion was spent on the festival last year
and more money is needed this year. The regency administration
has invited private sectors to contribute; so far about Rp 2
billion has been accumulated.
Erau means revelry and the festival itself is held to
commemorate the 221st anniversary of Tenggarong, the capital of
Kutai Kartanegara regency, which is located 45 kilometers from
Samarinda, the provincial capital.
According to the legend, it was initially dedicated to Aji
Batara Agung Dewa Sakti, a baby boy, sent to the earth by the
gods in a golden ball. The gods entrusted the baby to a village
head who had long wished to have a child. Another village head
miraculously attained a baby daughter, when she was found
floating amid the foam of the Mahakam River. She was named Putri
Karang Melenu. When Aji Batara was five years old, so the legend
says, the people held a festival lasting 40 days. Aji Batara
later became the first King of the Kutai Kartanegara Kingdom
(1300-1325) and married Putri Karang Melenu.
Even though Erau Festival is rich in cultural activities, the
organizing committee always looks for new ways to attract more
visitors. Last year, it also hosted Keraton Festival III, while
this year the committee invites foreign countries to take part in
the Zapin International Festival.
The Kutai Kartanegara regency has been making great efforts to
boost tourism in the area. The Kutai Palace was rebuilt, old
roads expanded or repaired, and new buildings constructed. A
star-rated hotel with 60 rooms as well as a bridge -- dubbed the
local Golden Gate Bridge -- were inaugurated last year.
Another project is the development of the 76-hectare Kemala
Island resort, located in the middle of the Mahakam River,
Tenggarong.
A giant statue Lembusuana -- a mythical creature symbolizing
the regency -- and almost as big as Singapore's Merlion statue,
stands on the island overlooking the river.
Trillions of rupiah were allocated for the resort project,
which commenced in 2000. The resort's facilities will include a
fantasy theme park like the one in Ancol, North Jakarta. Although
construction is still underway, the resort is already open to the
public. Tourists can spend the night, enjoy the magnificent view
from a 75-meter high sky tower, ride in a cable car, or ride a
water bike around the island's man-made lake. Those who like
adventures should take a trip along the Mahakam River in the
Dragon Cruiser, which can accommodate 150 passengers.
There is also an 18.5 hectare conservation area. A walk along
the area's 64-meter canopy bridge -- at 30 meters above the
ground -- is an exciting experience. Five trees -- over 150 years
old and more than 50 meter high with a diameter of more than two
meters -- support the bridge.
"We want to sell Kutai Kartanegara as a tourist destination,"
Syaukani said. "Indonesia is not only Bali and Java, but also
Kutai Kartanegara."