Betawi Village Decoration Festival Reflects Strong Local Cultural Preservation

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – The Rawa Belong area in Palmerah District, West Jakarta, once again stands as a strong testament to the preservation of local culture. This was demonstrated through the Betawi Village Decoration Festival, held on Wednesday, June 10, 2026.

During the festival, residents of Rawa Belong showcased the authentic atmosphere of a traditional Betawi village, featuring murals of the iconic Gigi Balang traditional Betawi house ornaments, traditional Betawi culinary delights, and performances of Cingkrik Pencak Silat. This initiative represents a concrete effort by the local community to preserve their cultural heritage amid the growing influence of foreign cultures and rapid technological advancement.

The festival also served as evidence of the community’s commitment to maintaining local wisdom and cultural identity in preparation for the 500th anniversary of Jakarta, which will be commemorated on June 22, 2027.

As quoted by kabarbetawi.id, the Betawi Village Decoration Festival received an enthusiastic response from the public. Since early morning, people from all walks of life, from children to the elderly, flocked to the venue to enjoy the various cultural performances. In addition to experiencing the Betawi-themed decorations, visitors were able to sample traditional foods such as kerak telor (Betawi-style spiced omelet), Betawi dodol, Bir Pletok (a traditional non-alcoholic Betawi beverage), and many other local delicacies.

Beyond serving as a form of entertainment, the festival also carried significant educational value. Several cultural communities and local leaders provided younger generations with insights into the history, traditions, and philosophies embedded within Betawi culture. Through these activities, organizers hope that the public will gain a deeper appreciation for and love of their regional cultural heritage.

With the successful implementation of the Betawi Village Decoration Festival, Rawa Belong has once again reaffirmed its role as one of the centers for the preservation of Betawi culture in Jakarta.

The Head of Palmerah Urban Village, Uki Elianto, reaffirmed his commitment to supporting various cultural preservation activities involving local communities. He stated that the festival represents active public participation in maintaining Jakarta’s cultural identity.

According to him, cultural preservation is not solely the responsibility of the government but requires the involvement of all elements of society to ensure that cultural values remain alive and are passed on to future generations.

“Collaboration between the government, neighborhood administrators, and residents is the key to preserving local cultural identity amid urban development,” Uki said.

Meanwhile, a Public Figure from Rawa Belong, West Jakarta, Abdul Manaf, affirmed that preserving Cingkrik Silat is a pivotal part of fostering the cultural identity of the Rawa Belong community. As a successor of the Betawi martial arts tradition, he conveyed that he has been teaching silat since the 1990s through the Cingkrik S3 (Sholat, Sholawat, Silat) Martial Arts Training Center.

“This martial art is not about showing off strength, but about preserving Betawi traditions,” Abdul Manaf said. According to him, traditional martial arts also provide economic benefits for the community, ranging from “Palang Pintu” cultural performances to opportunities to become martial arts instructors and judges.

Meanwhile, as Jakarta approaches the commemoration of its 500th anniversary, the Jakarta Provincial Government continues to make preparations and improvements across various sectors. This five-century milestone represents an important opportunity to strengthen Jakarta’s position as a global city while remaining firmly rooted in cultural values and local wisdom.

To celebrate the city’s 500th anniversary, Jakarta is preparing a range of strategic initiatives, including strengthening urban infrastructure, improving environmental quality, digitizing public services, and developing the creative economy sector. These transformations are aimed at making Jakarta not only economically advanced, but also a comfortable city to live in, with a strong cultural identity.

In addition, efforts to reinforce Jakarta’s image as a global city are being pursued through the development of public spaces, preservation of cultural heritage, and the organization of various community-based activities. The celebration of Jakarta’s five centuries is expected to become a new momentum for the city’s growth, further strengthening its position both nationally and internationally.