Daren Kanderang Tingang Festival Revitalizes Cultural Pride in Dusun Hilir

RRI.CO.ID, Barito Selatan - The quiet atmosphere of Mengkatip Village in the Dusun Hilir Subdistrict, South Barito, Central Kalimantan transformed into a vibrant cultural arena as the Daren Kanderang Tingang Cultural Festival was held on Saturday, April 18, 2026.

The event served as a critical platform for the community to showcase and safeguard local Dayak traditions, with a particular focus on the intricate art of rattan weaving and traditional folk games.

The festival drew a diverse crowd of participants and spectators from across Central and South Kalimantan, including delegations from Palangka Raya, Buntok, Tabalong, and Banjarmasin. This broad participation highlighted the event’s significance not just as a local celebration, but as a regional hub for cultural exchange.

“This festival is a vessel for preserving local culture, especially weaving crafts and traditional competitions that are characteristic of the community,” said the Acting District Head of Dusun Hilir, Hidayat, in a statement released on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

He further emphasized that the synergy between the administration, the public, and private sectors, specifically PT Adaro Indonesia and PT BUMA, is essential for boosting both cultural conservation and the welfare of local MSMEs.

The festival's itinerary was packed with activities designed to bridge the generational gap, including weaving workshops tailored for students and youth. Traditional sports also dominated the program, featuring Lawang Sekepeng (traditional martial arts), Besei Kambe (reciprocal rowing), Menyumpit (blowpipe skills), and Mengaruhi (the art of catching fish with bare hands).

The modern addition of photography contests and a cultural fashion show provided a contemporary lens through which to view ancient customs.

Representing the Regent of Barito Selatan, Assistant III of the Regional Secretariat Eko Hermansyah noted that the festival reflects a profound sense of communal pride. “The administration hopes that the youth of Dusun Hilir will grow to love tradition more, master weaving techniques, and feel proud to use local products,” Hermansyah remarked.

Corporate partners also highlighted the festival's role in fostering social cohesion. CSR Department Head of PT Adaro Indonesia, Iwan Ridwan, observed that the event mirrored the beautiful complexity of the region's heritage.

“Our presence here demonstrates extraordinary diversity. Differences do not prevent us from guarding our ancestral heritage,” Ridwan noted, comparing the social harmony of the event to the various motifs found in traditional local weaving. ***