Ketupat Festival 2026 Sumenep Celebrates Madurese Tradition at Lombang Beach

RRI.CO.ID, Sumenep - In a vibrant display of cultural preservation, the Sumenep Regency Administration in East Java has transformed the traditional Eid al-Fitr celebrations of 1447 Hijriah into a competitive showcase of local craftsmanship through the 2026 Ketupat Festival.

Held at the scenic Lombang Beach on Thursday, March 26, 2026, the event seeks to bridge the gap between ancient Madurese customs and the modern era. Ketupat is a traditional rice cake made by cooking rice inside a pouch woven from young palm leaves, resulting in a compact, firm block of rice.

Head of the Sumenep Culture, Tourism, Youth, and Sports Agency, Faruk Hanafi emphasized that the festival is more than just a holiday attraction. While monitoring the festivities, he noted its role in fostering social cohesion among the local population.

"In addition to strengthening the bonds of friendship while maintaining cultural heritage so that it remains sustainable, this activity is also intended to maintain the values of togetherness and mutual cooperation that have so far grown and developed in the community," said Faruk in Sumenep, as quoted by Antara.

The festival saw hundreds of participants, largely comprised of civil servants (ASN) from within the Sumenep Regency Government, demonstrating high enthusiasm as they crafted intricate varieties of rice cakes unique to Madurese identity. These included the topa’ sangoh (provision ketupat), topa' toju' (sitting ketupat), topa’ kope’ (fish-shaped ketupat), and the distinct topa’ jharan, which is woven to resemble a horse.

According to Faruk, the 2026 Ketupat Festival, which has become a staple of the local government's annual calendar, was divided into two distinct competitive categories: a weaving competition and a culinary creation contest. While the creative weaving of the coconut leaves was open to the general public, the task of developing innovative menus based on ketupat involved regional officials, employees, and local hotel and restaurant owners.

Hanafi highlighted that the festival serves a dual purpose by acting as an economic catalyst for the coastal region while grounding the community in its roots.

"In addition to preserving the culture and traditions that already exist in the community, we are also holding this ketupat festival in order to encourage the improvement of the residents' economy," Faruk said.

By positioning the event as an educational tool, the local administration expressed its hope to ensure that the younger generation remains connected to their regional identity. Through the rhythmic weaving of leaves at Lombang Beach, Sumenep aims to ensure that its cultural legacy remains resilient against the passage of time. ***