RRI.CO.ID, Kutai Timur - The preservation of indigenous traditions has taken center stage in East Kalimantan as the Lom Plai Festival officially earned its place in the 2026 Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN) national tourism calendar.

This prestigious recognition from the Ministry of Tourism was formally presented to the East Kalimantan Provincial Administration, marking a significant milestone for the Dayak Wehea community in elevating local heritage to a national platform.

Speaking at the peak of the Embob Jengea festivities in Nehas Liah Bing Village on Thursday, April 23, East Kalimantan Tourism Agency Head Ririn Sari Dewi expressed deep appreciation for the indigenous community’s role in safeguarding the ritual's sanctity.

“The Lom Plai Festival is more than just a celebration. It reflects the noble values of the Dayak Wehea indigenous community, which are steeped in life philosophy. It carries messages of togetherness, respect for nature, and balance between humans and their environment,” Ririn said, as quoted by Antara.

The festival, a sacred post-harvest ritual of the Dayak Wehea tribe, serves as an expression of gratitude for a bountiful harvest and reverence toward ancestors.

The 38-day cycle of ceremonies began on March 23 with the Ngesea Egung, or striking of the gong, followed by the Laq Pesyai procession, when villagers traveled upstream along the Wehea River to collect forest fruits and rattan for ceremonial use.

In April, the community engaged in the Naq Jengea tradition, constructing temporary riverside huts in preparation for the festival’s climax. The peak celebration, known as Bob Jengea, featured a vibrant cultural parade with Hudoq dance performances and the Seksiang, a traditional mock naval battle staged on the river.

Ririn also highlighted the Ngelwung Pan ritual, in which indigenous women perform secluded spiritual rites beneath the ancestral homes of the Hepui lineage.

She emphasized that the combination of pristine natural landscapes and unique indigenous traditions makes Lom Plai a major tourism attraction, with strong potential to be developed into a premier cultural and ecotourism destination in East Kalimantan.

The festival will conclude on April 29, 2026, with the Embos Epaq Plai village cleansing ritual, intended to ward off misfortune and invoke blessings for the upcoming planting season.

Looking ahead, the East Kalimantan Provincial Administration reaffirmed its commitment to fostering sustainable tourism that strengthens local economies while safeguarding intellectual heritage.

“We hope that collaboration between traditional leaders and the local administration can continue to ensure the sustainability of this tradition as a national intellectual legacy. We envision the Lom Plai Festival remaining a regional identity and the proud face of East Kalimantan tourism on an international level,” Ririn concluded. ***