The History of Indonesia's Pacu Jalur Festival in Kuansing, Riau

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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The cultural tradition of Pacu Jalur in Riau, Indonesia, has once again caught the public's attention, especially after a viral video of young rowers dancing and swinging their bodies on traditional boats surfaced on social media. Pacu Jalur is not just a rowing competition; it is an annual event full of cultural value and philosophy for the people of Kuantan Singingi (Kuansing).

Held regularly every year from August 23-26, Pacu Jalur is part of the popular festivities to commemorate the Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia. The race takes place at Tepian Narosa, Sungai Batang Kuantan, approximately 150 km from Pekanbaru. Every year, thousands of people, both domestic and international, flock to the race location.

The History of Pacu Jalur in Riau

According to the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism website, Pacu Jalur is a cultural tradition that has been passed down through generations by the Kuansing community for over a century. In the 17th century, the jalur was originally used as the main mode of transportation for residents along the Kuantan River.

Over time, the jalur boat has undergone significant developments. It has evolved from a mere means of transportation to a beautifully ornamented boat equipped with unique carvings, as well as crucial elements such as the mast (payu), the scarf (selendang), the middle pole (gulang-gulang), and the pennants (lambai-lambai), which serve as a special place for the steersman to stand.

These changes and developments have led to the tradition of holding a fast boat race, now known as the Festival Pacu Jalur. Initially, the competition was held to celebrate significant Islamic holidays, such as Eid al-Fitr. However, during the Dutch colonial period, Pacu Jalur was also used to commemorate the birthday of Queen Wilhelmina, which falls on August 31.

The Uniqueness and Philosophy of Jalur

This tradition, passed down through generations, holds deep meanings and philosophies, reflected in the process of making the boat and the movements of the dancers in Pacu Jalur. Making a jalur boat is not a simple task. Before felling a large tree, the community must first perform a ritual as a sign of respect and to ask for permission from the wilderness.

A single jalur boat can accommodate 50 to 60 people, known as "anak pacu," each with their own role. There is the Tukang Concang as the commander who gives orders, the Tukang Pinggang or the steersman, the Tukang Onjai who sets the rhythm by swaying their body, and the Tukang Tari or Anak Coki who stands at the front.

Interestingly, the position of Anak Coki is usually held by children due to their light bodies, allowing the boat to move swiftly. The movements of Anak Coki bear their own significance. They only dance in front of the boat when the boat they are on leads the race. Upon reaching the finish line, Anak Coki immediately prostrates in gratitude at the end of the boat as a sign of thanksgiving.

As reported on the Kuansing Digital website, this rowing competition uses boats made of hollowed-out wood, known locally as jalur. The wood is sourced from the forests of the Kuantan Singingi region. Not all wood can be used to make a jalur boat; it must meet specific criteria, particularly in terms of diameter and length.

Before felling the wood, the boat makers (jalur experts) first conduct a survey in the forest to find suitable wood. Upon finding suitable wood, they mark it. Some time later, the felling process takes place, but not without a ceremony. A special ritual is held first as a sign of respect and to ask for permission from the wilderness.

The philosophy behind this ritual demonstrates how much the ancestors of Kuansing respect nature. Even when felling a single tree, they consider its impact on the ecology of the forest. This teaches us the importance of maintaining a balance between tradition and environmental preservation.

Editor's Choice: Pacu Jalur: Ancient Indonesian Boat Race Goes Viral on Global Stage

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