Fulan Fehan Festival Strengthens Cross-Border Friendship Through Likurai Dance

RRI.CO.ID, Kupang - Against the sweeping, high-altitude backdrop of the Fulan Fehan Savanna, thousands of traditional dancers moved in perfect unison on Saturday, transforming the rugged frontier of Belu Regency, East Nusa Tenggara into a vibrant arena of international camaraderie.

The annual Fulan Fehan Festival, held under the evocative theme Dance for Friendship, took center stage last weekend as a powerful display of cultural soft power, drawing high-ranking state officials and foreign delegations to the Indonesia-Timor Leste border.

The undeniable highlight of the festival was the breathtaking execution of a colossal Likurai Dance. Performing at the foot of Mount Lakaan, thousands of local dancers moved to the energetic, rhythmic beats of the tifa drums. The historical dance, traditionally performed to welcome returning warriors, was repurposed as a symbol of peace, weaving a story of shared ancestry across the Timor Island.

This year’s cultural showcase expanded its geopolitical footprint by welcoming official delegations from both Timor Leste and Australia, leveraging the performance to strengthen trilateral relationships and stimulate the local economy through grassroots tourism.

The strategic significance of the event drew strong praise from the government, with state leaders emphasizing that the festival successfully marries heritage conservation with international statecraft.

"Yesterday, I witnessed firsthand how the Fulan Fehan Savanna transformed into a sea of people, culture, and friendship. This wasn't just a performance, but a message that culture can unite us," East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Governor Melki Laka Lena said in an official statement received in Kupang on Sunday, June 28, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

The governor, who stood alongside Home Affairs Minister and Head of the National Border Management Agency (BNPP) Muhammad Tito Karnavian, noted that the mesmerizing performance serves as an effective global showcase for the region's living heritage.

"On this extraordinary expanse of savanna, thousands of dancers present the Colossal Likurai Dance. The sound of the tifa drums, footsteps, and meaningful movements bring the ancestral stories of Timor Island to the world," Melki remarked.

He added that the province's true strength lies within its social fabric. "NTT is not just about beautiful nature. NTT is about vibrant culture, friendly people, and traditions that connect the world."

In closing his commentary, Governor Melki reaffirmed the provincial government’s long-term commitment to scaling up the festival’s operational capacity, aiming to transform the border zone into a permanent fixture on the international travel map.

"I have conveyed to the Minister of Home Affairs that we fully support this festival in the future, ensuring it becomes even more successful. Congratulations to the Belu Regency Administration and the Belu community. We are committed to supporting this festival to continue running annually," he concluded. ***