Let's Visit Betawi Cultural Arts Festival at Setu Babakan
Reported by Tiyo Surya Sakti | Translated by Nugroho Adibrata
The Betawi Cultural Village Area Management Unit (UPK PBB) holds the Setu Babakan Cultural Arts Festival. This event takes place in the village of MH Thamrin, Setu Babakan Betawi Cultural Village, Jalan Moch Kahfi II, Srengseng Sawah Urban Village, Jagakarsa Sub-district, South Jakarta
We want all the people who are present to remember their childhood
Setu Babakan UPK PBB Head, Imron Yunus said the event carried the theme "Kepala Kampung Nyunatin dan Akekah". The Setuju Babakan Cultural Arts Festival displays the games of youths in ancient times who were abandoned and various Betawi traditional processions which are starting to be forgotten.
"For Betawi traditional games there are several that we make, namely Galasin (one team guards a rectangular area that another team must maneuver past), Bakiak, Tok Kadal, Si Bolak Balik Balok, Ketupat weaving competition, and decorating Ondel-ondel (giant Betawi effigies), and making coconut flowers," he expressed, Friday (7/21).
New Year's Eve at Setu Babakan will Present Dangdut Artist Cici ParamidaHe explained it will take place from July 20 to 21, 2023 by involving participants from schools around Setu Babakan Betawi Cultural Village.
"Participants range from elementary to high school. Besides competitions, there are also 25 bazaar booths with various Betawi food, drinks, and souvenirs," he explained.
According to him, at the main event, Saturday (7/22) tomorrow, there will be a performance of the circumcision and akekah bride and groom processions, which are carried out as the circumstances of the circumcision party in the Betawi village in ancient times.
"Tomorrow, the story will start from the procession of the child playing, reciting the Koran, asking for circumcision, being bathed in a blanket and being thrown with iron sticks, until being paraded after the circumcision," he explained.
Hopefully, it could preserve and introduce Betawi culture to the wider community, especially the young generation.
"Anyway, tomorrow, we want all the people who are present to remember their childhood and hopefully this game can continue to grow in the midst of the times," he stated.
