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."