Sunda Ngariung: 22-Day Sundanese Cultural Festival Launched at Bogor Botanical Gardens
A young girl squealed with delight, asking her mother to push her higher on the swing. Nearby, a pair of children played on a seesaw. This area served as a playground for kaulinan (traditional games). Elsewhere, in bamboo saung (non-permanent structures), a group of women were engrossed in learning batik making. In bamboo bale-bale situated among traditional Sundanese houses, families of visitors dined together, enjoying authentic Sundanese cuisine in the open air with a cool breeze. This is a snapshot of KULTURA Sunda Ngariung, an innovation from the Bogor Botanical Gardens (KRB).
PT Mitra Natura Raya, the manager of KRB, has made a breakthrough by presenting KULTURA Sunda Ngariung, a cultural edutourism programme that combines performing arts, cultural exhibitions, interactive workshops, traditional cuisine, and educational activities into an open experience that educates the public about Sundanese culture at the Bogor Botanical Gardens. The programme runs daily from 20 June to 12 July 2026, from 08.00 to 16.00 WIB, in the Kenari II area of the gardens. Throughout the programme, visitors can enjoy various Sundanese cultural experiences each day, including traditional games, Sundanese traditional houses, cultural installations, traditional transportation tools, traditional weapons, a showcase of local produce, and various educational activities suitable for all family members.
KULTURA also features an interactive workshop area developed in collaboration with local creative practitioners and artisans from West Java. Through this collaborative programme, visitors can participate in various educational activities that highlight traditional skills and Sundanese-based creativity. Available workshops include making miniature Leuit (traditional rice barns) from bamboo with MQ Art Bamboo, shrink paper crafting with Jelina Creative, flower arranging with a Sundanese cultural touch with Cannie Gift & Florist, and West Javanese batik motif making with Batik Handayani.
Meanwhile, the performing arts programme serves as a main attraction every weekend. Visitors can watch Wayang Golek performances featuring stories such as Gatot Kaca Gugur, Rahwana Gugur, Hanoman Tandang, and Cepot Jadi Raja. Additionally, there are sendratari (dance dramas) themed around Sangkuriang, Hanoman Obong, Dyah Pitaloka Citra Resmi, and Sulanjana, as well as angklung performances, kecapi suling celempungan music, traditional Sundanese dance, and Sundanese traditional ceremonies. The cultural experience is further enriched by the Ngariung Sunda area, which presents a variety of authentic Pasundan cuisine, from traditional snacks to dishes that are part of everyday Sundanese life. The programme also opens up space for local MSMEs and artisans to introduce their cultural products to a wider audience.
According to PT Mitra Natura Raya’s President Director, Marga Anggrianto, KULTURA is part of an effort to bring cultural education into public spaces through an interactive approach that is easily accessible to all levels of society. KULTURA was born from the development of the ‘Sunset di Kebun’ programme, previously known as a creative space for arts and education aimed at young people. Recognising the importance of cultural preservation as part of national character building, KULTURA was then developed into a new intellectual property (IP) focusing on the preservation of Nusantara culture through a sustainable edutourism approach. Carrying the theme ‘Sunda Ngariung’, this first edition of KULTURA highlights the Sundanese philosophy of life: Silih Asih (mutual love), Silih Asah (mutual sharpening), and Silih Asuh (mutual care). These values are translated into various cultural experiences that invite visitors to learn, interact, and directly experience the richness of Pasundan culture within the natural landscape of the Bogor Botanical Gardens.
Marga Anggrianto also explained that KULTURA is part of the company’s commitment to providing a tourism experience that goes beyond mere tourism services, offering added value in the form of education and the preservation of Indonesian cultural identity. ‘KULTURA: Sunda Ngariung is not just a cultural performance. It is a space for interaction between the community and the cultural heritage that forms our national identity. We want to provide a direct experience that allows culture to be enjoyed, learned, and passed on to the next generation,’ Marga stated at the opening on Saturday (20/6). He added, ‘As a conservation area and an educational tourism destination, the Bogor Botanical Gardens has a strategic role in bringing together nature, science, and culture in a fun learning ecosystem.’
On the same occasion, PT Mitra Natura Raya’s General Manager of Events, Abi Irawan, explained that the Sunda Ngariung concept was chosen because it represents the spirit of togetherness, which is one of the main characteristics of Sundanese culture. ‘The Sunda Ngariung concept highlights the value of togetherness that is a hallmark of Sundanese society. We want to create a space where families, children, communities, tourists, and culture enthusiasts can gather, learn, and enjoy culture in a warm and pleasant atmosphere,’ said Abi Irawan. According to him, KULTURA is not only designed as a seasonal event but also as the first step in a long-term journey that will showcase other Nusantara cultures in the coming years. As a sustainable cultural platform, KULTURA is designed to present the richness of Nusantara culture in rotation each year. After featuring Sundanese culture in 2026 with the theme ‘Sunda Ngariung’, KULTURA will continue its journey by showcasing Balinese culture in 2027, Kalimantan culture in 2028, Betawi culture in 2029, and eventually a grand celebration of Nusantara culture.