RRI.CO.ID, Bekasi - A massive flotilla of at least 700 local fishing boats crowded the waters off Pantai Bahagia Village in Muaragembong Subdistrict, Bekasi Regency, West Java, on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, to conduct the sacred larung sesaji (sea offering) ritual for the traditional Nadran sea festival.

The dynamic maritime procession marked the triumphant return of the historical seafaring tradition, drawing immense public enthusiasm after economic hardships forced a cancellation the previous year.

"The total number of boats participating in the Muaragembong sea festival tradition this year is around 700 to 800 vessels," said Chairman of the Nadran 2026 Organizing Committee, Rasim, as quoted by Antara.

Rasim explained that the fleet journeyed three kilometers from their departure point at Muara Bendera Hamlet out into the open sea, where a buffalo head was ceremonially submerged in waters reaching over a dozen meters deep. The ritual serves as a profound expression of gratitude from the coastal community to Almighty God for the marine harvest they rely on.

Beyond offering thanks, the nadran festival acts as a vital cultural vehicle to preserve ancestral knowledge and safeguard local wisdom for younger generations.

"And through this activity as well, the fishermen hope to continuously receive blessings through abundant catches so they can support their families, because the sea is the primary source of livelihood for these fishermen," Rasim added.

The 2026 festival stood out as the most vibrant celebration in recent memory. Community participation spiked dramatically after the event was suspended in 2025 due to widespread fuel and gas shortages that prevented fishermen from operating their vessels.

"This year, thank God, it is highly lively and the participants are much more enthusiastic. We last held this in 2024; in 2025 we did not host it because many fishermen simply could not go out to sea at that time," Rasim recalled.

However, the committee chairman revealed that this year's massive cultural showcase was funded almost entirely out of pocket by the coastal community itself, pointing out a stark lack of institutional backing from regional authorities.

"Almost every year there is no support from the administration, everything is self-funded. Our hope is that the administration will care more about traditions like this," Rasim asserted.

He also utilized the cultural gathering to shed light on systemic supply chain challenges that continue to cripple small-scale fishing operations across Bekasi, specifically the persistent scarcity and inflated prices of subsidized fuel (BBM) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

"Our primary obstacle is fuel, because it is often difficult to obtain and the price is high. This includes LPG, which is also scarce, even though many of our smaller fishing boats now rely on LPG for their engines," Rasim concluded. ***