"Pesta Riang Nusantara" Culture at MRT Jakarta

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Pesta Riang Nusantara is an interactive installation exhibition showcasing Indonesia’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. The program is a collaboration between the Ministry of Culture (Kemenbud) and MRT Jakarta to commemorate Indonesia’s Independence Day.

The exhibition offers visitors an opportunity to explore Indonesia’s cultural richness through various public spaces at MRT Jakarta, featuring replicas of traditional snacks, traditional games, and musical instruments from across the country.

According to information from the @warisanbudayaindonesia Instagram account, Pesta Riang Nusantara presents Indonesian culture in a more interactive way that is closer to people’s everyday lives. The installation also serves as an effort to foster greater pride in Indonesia’s cultural heritage.

One of the cultural installations visited by the VOI team was the traditional game of Dakon, also known as Congklak. Dakon is recognized as part of Indonesia’s Intangible Cultural Heritage and has a long history of being played in various regions across the country.

The game is believed to have been known since the height of the Majapahit Kingdom, although some accounts suggest that Dakon developed during the Dutch colonial period. To this day, the game remains known and is still played as one of Indonesia’s traditional games.

Dakon is generally played by two people using a board with several holes and small seeds or counters. Players take turns moving the counters from one hole to another according to the rules of the game.

Strategy is an important part of Dakon, as players must carefully determine which hole to choose. The game can therefore help develop counting skills, strategic thinking, decision-making, and patience.

Beyond entertainment, Dakon also carries various cultural and social values. The game promotes honesty, sportsmanship, responsibility, adherence to rules, friendship, openness, as well as the ability to interact and cooperate with others.

The inclusion of Dakon in Pesta Riang Nusantara not only introduces the traditional game to the public but also demonstrates how Intangible Cultural Heritage can be presented in an interactive format, making it more accessible and appealing to younger generations.