South Kalimantan Police Preserve Traditional Arts Through Madihin and Hadrah Competition

Banjarbaru (ANTARA) - The South Kalimantan Regional Police (Polda Kalsel) is preserving Banjar tribal arts through a Madihin and Hadrah competition, which drew 274 participants at the dr Murjani Field in Banjarbaru on Sunday.

“This competition is a tangible manifestation of the National Police’s commitment to safeguarding local wisdom, with the hope that the arts and culture in South Kalimantan will be cherished by the younger generations,” said South Kalimantan Police Chief Inspector General Dr. Rosyanto Yudha Hermawan.

Yudha acknowledged that traditional arts are currently vulnerable to being eroded by the times amidst the influx of foreign cultures that colour the lives of the younger generation.

Seeing the high level of enthusiasm from both the audience and participants, the Police Chief indicated that this cultural arts festival would become a recurring event on a larger scale.

“We also have our Dayak brothers and sisters present here today to enliven the event. God willing, next year we will also hold a competition for Dayak arts,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Provost Sub-division of the South Kalimantan Police, Adjunct Senior Commissioner Zaenal Arifien, who served as the organising committee, reported that the Madihin competition was participated in by 36 individuals, divided into 13 teams from the Police (precinct police forces) and 7 teams from the general public category.

The Hadrah competition was enlivened by 238 participants, consisting of 1 Police team and 13 teams from the general public.

Madihin is an oral literary art where performers play a percussion instrument called a ‘terbang’ while chanting lyrics in the Banjar language.

Hadrah, meanwhile, is a musical genre featuring the recitation of shalawat (prayers for the Prophet) performed in groups while playing the rebana (frame drum) accompanied by choreographed movements.