RRI.CO.ID, Subulussalam - The local heritage of Subulussalam City, Aceh Province was brought back to life through the opening of the 2nd Mungkahk Festival on Sunday, May 3, 2026. The traditional event, which centers on the art of catching fish with bare hands, drew hundreds of enthusiastic residents to the Joka Suka Makmur Pond in Simpang Kiri District.

Head of the Subulussalam Education and Culture Agency, Nasrul Padang, officially opened the festival, emphasizing the need to protect folk games from being lost to time. He noted that the event serves as a concrete step in maintaining the region’s identity for the younger generation.

"This cultural festival is a positive activity because Mungkahk is a habit of the Subulussalam people that has existed for a long time. We hope this game runs sportingly and, in the future, there must be a third festival," Nasrul said during the opening ceremony.

The festival featured participants from various backgrounds, ranging from elementary school students to the general public. Competitors were seen struggling in two designated ponds to catch snakehead fish (ikan gabus) and eels without the help of any tools.

Head of the Tourism Division at the Subulussalam Youth, Sports, and Tourism Agency (Disporapar), Zulkarnain, popularly known as Joel Jacko, highlighted the strategic value of the event. He explained that Mungkahk is more than a competition; it is a symbol of togetherness and a practice deeply rooted in the community's history.

Beyond the thrill of the catch, the tradition is believed to instill several core values, particularly honesty and patience, which are heavily emphasized for the student categories. The festival also promotes social cohesion by strengthening the bonds of mutual cooperation, or gotong royong, among the citizens of Subulussalam.

The event serves as a vital anchor for cultural identity, ensuring that these ancient habit remains relevant and vibrant in the modern era.

The high level of community interest was matched by strong political backing. The presence of local leaders, including the Deputy Chairman of the Subulussalam DPRK, Mukmin, underscored the legislative support for cultural character building in the region.

The atmosphere reached a peak during the men's and women's categories, where the sight of participants chasing slippery eels created a sense of joy and shared laughter among the spectators. Local authorities expressed their commitment to making the Mungkahk Festival a recurring highlight of Subulussalam’s cultural calendar. (Naura Sofia/Bambang MBKA)