13 juni 2011 08:48

Palang Pintu Festival, A Way to Preserve Betawi Culture

Jakarta, Indonesia - For the sixth time, Jakarta Capital City Government is holding the Palang Pintu festival again which this time is held on Saturday (6/4) until Sunday (6/5) tomorrow. To facilitate resident and tourist, the event held on Jl Kemang Selatan, Mampangprapatan, South Jakarta.

The Palang Pintu Festival aimed increasing tourism and culture art, especially Betawi cultural. This event is also to commemorate the 484th anniversary of Jakarta and it was opened formally by Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo. Society interest seems high to attend this annual event. They are also enjoying various events and foods in the event.

Before opening the festival, Fauzi Bowo also must pass through doorstop which guarded by Betawi warriors. The contests of rhyme and martial art (silat), showed as part of the doorstop procession which usually showed during wedding ceremony held by Betawi society.

According to him, Palang Pintu Festival is known as an area which still has the original of Betawi residents, especially Kemang that is known as Betawi area. "The festival is one of the ways to preserve Betawi culture, especially in Kemang which is famous with Betawi people areas," he expressed after opening the festival, Saturday (6/4). Fauzi added that although this time Kemang has been modern, but the Betawi residents must maintain its culture.

South Jakarta Head of Cultural Department Ahmad Syaropi expressed that the festival implementation is planned by people who care with Betawi culture. “This is conceptualized and implemented by society. We only give support," he expressed. Evaluation will be conducted after the festival.

The festival is showing a variety of Betawi arts such as, traditional orchestra, heck festival, rhymes, tanjidor music, avenged drum and Betawi dance. Besides traditional art, there are also entertainments from other bands. If you want to look for souvenirs, there are 500 stands of unique handicrafts.

Meanwhile, traffic flow from southward such as Jl Ampera or Jl Benda towards Mampang (Jl Bangka Raya or Jl Prapanca Raya) directed through Jl Kemang Timur towards Jl Kemang Utara or can through alternative road such as Jl Pangeran Antasari, etc.

Whereas, traffic flow from northward (Jl Bangka Raya) towards southward (Jl Ampera or Pejaten Raya) can through Jl Kemang towards Jl Kemang Timur or through Jl Kemang Selatan towards Jl Pangeran Antasari towards Jl Puri Mutiara, etc.

Source: http://www.beritajakarta.com

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