Do not miss the variety of Indonesian cultural festivals in 2017
Arts, music, festivals, sports, culture and more. We bring you unmissable events and dates for your diary from Indonesia.
Baliem Valley Festival 2017, Jayawijaya, August 8–10
This annual festival brings together all the diverse tribes from the highlands of Wamena and Baliem Valley in the Jayawijaya Mountains, Papua.
A feast for the eyes, the tribes will perform a tribal-war simulation featuring groups of 30–50 warriors, accompanied by traditional Papuan pikon music.
www.baliemfestival.com
Waterman’s Week Bali 2017, August 26–September 2
Waterman’s Week Bali is a 10-day celebration and collective effort to improve the environmental conditions of the island’s rivers, coastlines and oceans.
Events include water sports challenges, free- diving competitions, clean-ups on reefs and beaches, underwater movies and mermaid photoshoots.
Dieng Culture Festival 2017, Central Java, August 4–6
The mist-shrouded highlands of Dieng Plateau in Central Java is hosting its annual culture festival.
The three-day event presents leather-puppet wayang shows and a lantern- releasing ceremony and culminates with the unique ritual of Ruwatan Anak Gimbal, or the ceremonious shaving of Dieng children’s dreadlocked hair at the 7th-century Arjuna Temple complex.
www.dieng.id
Tomohon International Flower Festival 2017, North Sulawesi, August 7–12
The annual Tomohon International Flower Festival will bloom again in the city of Tomohon, an hour’s drive from Manado, North Sulawesi.
Now in its seventh year, the festival will be highlighting seven natural wonders of Tomohon: seven mountains, seven lakes and seven waterfalls. www.indonesia.travel
Pasa Harau Art and Cultural Festival, West Sumatra, August 25–26
The Pasa Harau Art and Cultural Festival will highlight the traditions of the Minangkabau ethnic group of the West Sumatran highlands.
In Harau Valley, about an hour’s drive from Bukittinggi, visitors will be treated to Kroncong and Sijobang music performances, Silek Lanyah martial art, the Arak Riang ceremony and much more.
www.indonesia.travel
Pati Ka Du’a Bapu Ata Mata Ritual, Ende, August 14
August 14 is a sacred date for the Lio people of Flores. Every year, the Lio people make the pilgrimage to Kelimutu’s crater lakes, which are believed to be the final resting place of their souls.
To honour their ancestors, the Lio people present food offerings, chant and pray to express gratitude and ask for blessings for the coming year.
www.florestourism.com
