KBRN, Bengkulu: The people of Enggano Island, one of Indonesia’s outermost islands, uphold an annual tradition that remains untouched by time: the Pahpe ritual, held every August 18.

According to Enggano Tribal Chief Milson Kaitora, also known as PABUKI, the Pahpe ritual is a form of gratitude for the island’s agricultural abundance.“The meaning of the Pahpe ritual is to give thanks for the plentiful harvests on Enggano Island and to pray to the ancestors for continued prosperity and protection from misfortune,” he explained.

The ceremony takes place at Bak Blaw Beach in Meok Village, where residents bring traditional Enggano produce such as fish, bananas, coconuts, and sweet potatoes.

The sweet potatoes are pounded and mixed with grated young coconut, wrapped in leaves, while the fish is prepared separately. The tribal chief then arranges these offerings on a wooden pole, which is adorned with a white flag to mark the beginning of the ritual.

After the ceremonial setup, the community, including the tribal chief, gathers for a group prayer. The offerings are then shared and consumed together. The ritual concludes with a symbolic tug-of-war using a rattan rope.

“In the past, this ritual was purely an offering to the ancestors, as there was no formal religion. Today, we still honor that tradition, but we also hold a communal prayer afterward, led by a Muslim,” Milson said.

According to local belief, the direction in which the rattan rope snaps during the tug-of-war predicts the region of the island that will enjoy a bountiful harvest. A break to the west signals prosperity in the western part of Enggano, while a break to the east foretells abundance in the eastern region.

Enggano Island spans approximately 400.6 square kilometers and is home to around 4,500 residents. Located about 100 kilometers southwest of Sumatra in the Indian Ocean, it is part of North Bengkulu Regency in Indonesia.

The island comprises six tribes and six villages, all of which participate in preserving its cultural heritage.

Milson hopes that the Pahpe ritual will continue to be practiced and passed down through generations, ensuring that Enggano’s ancestral traditions are not lost to the passage of time. ***

Translator: Misni Parjiati

Editor: Lasti Martina