Pontianak’s Cannon Tradition Echoes Along the Kapuas

RRI.CO.ID, Pontianak - The banks of the Kapuas River, West Kamimantan, trembled on Thursday night, March 19, 2026, as seven massive wooden cannons were ignited in a powerful display of heritage. The Meriam Karbit Exhibition, held at Darsyad Alley in Southeast Pontianak, marked the thunderous arrival of Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah, drawing adrenaline-seeking crowds to witness a tradition that has defined this city for centuries.

More than just a loud celebration, the carbide cannon tradition is a symbol of Pontianak’s cultural identity. In 2016, it was officially recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Ministry of Education and Culture, and it remains the centerpiece of the "Land of the Equator" during the Lebaran holidays.

This year’s exhibition held special significance. Pontianak Mayor Edi Rusdi Kamtono noted that despite differences in the determination of 1 Syawal between the government and Muhammadiyah, the spirit of the cannons remained a unifying force.

“Praise be to God, tonight we continue to hold the opening of the Carbide Cannon Exhibition. Hopefully, as usual, the boom of these cannons marks the end of Ramadan and we welcome Eid al-Fitr,” the Mayor said, as quoted by Infopublik.id on Monday, March 23, 2026.

He further explained that the cannons embody the philosophy of gotong royong (mutual cooperation). From the manual labor of submerged storage to preserve the logs to the collective effort of firing them, the process is entirely community-driven.

“Inside there are values of friendship and togetherness. Even though there is an element of competition between groups, it remains in the spirit of kinship,” Edi added.

The scale of this year's event was immense, featuring 229 cannons spread across 42 locations along the Kapuas River, including the districts of South, Southeast, and East Pontianak. Some of these traditional weapons boast diameters exceeding 80 centimeters, carved from massive logs that are kept underwater for months to maintain their structural integrity and sound quality.

The exhibition has caught the attention of national travelers and digital creators. Bedah, a content creator from Tanjung Pinang, Riau Islands, shared her amazement after hearing the boom for the first time.

“The atmosphere is extraordinary, not just for the unique booming sound, but also for the togetherness of the community. Traditions like this are rarely found in other regions,” she remarked, noting the potential for the event to become a global tourism magnet.

Mayor Edi expressed hope that the tradition would continue to evolve into a sustainable economic driver. By refining the presentation of the exhibition, the city aims to attract more international tourists to the riverside.

“Every year we evaluate so that this activity gets better and is able to push the economic growth of the community,” he concluded.

For the people of Pontianak, Eid is simply incomplete without the signature roar of the carbide cannons echoing across the water, a sound that signifies both the end of the fast and the enduring strength of their community. ***