Banjarmasin Revives Baayun Maulid Tradition Ahead of City’s 500th Anniversary

RRI.CO.ID, Banjarmasin - The Banjar community has once again preserved the hereditary Baayun Maulid tradition, held by the Banjarmasin City Administration in the courtyard of the historic Sultan Suriansyah Mosque on Sunday, September 6, 2026. Some 500 participants joined the event as a symbolic welcome to the 500th anniversary of Banjarmasin City, South Kalimantan.

This distinctive Banjar tradition blends cultural and religious values, that children are placed in swings while Quranic verses, salawat (praises upon the Prophet), and parental prayers are recited. The ritual is more than a ceremonial rocking of children, it is also an expression of gratitude and joy over the spread of Islam in Kalimantan.

The Banjarmasin City Administration, together with the community, is committed to elevating Baayun Maulid beyond a local heritage event at the Sultan Suriansyah Mosque, aiming to include it in the national cultural calendar.

“Thank God, the Baayun Maulid celebration coincides with the month in which we will commemorate Banjarmasin City’s 500th anniversary. Our hope is that, going forward, the Sultan Suriansyah Mosque will become an icon, not only of Banjarmasin, but of South Kalimantan, Kalimantan, and even Indonesia,” said Banjarmasin Deputy Mayor, Ananda, at the event’s opening on Sunday.

He noted that the Sultan Suriansyah Mosque stands as an important historical landmark, being part of Banjarmasin City’s early history, particularly in the development of Islam in the region. He expressed hope that Baayun Maulid can continue to be developed and incorporated into regional and national event calendars.

“We also hope Baayun Maulid becomes a scheduled event, not only for Banjarmasin City, but hopefully for Indonesia as a whole,” he said.

Addressing facility limitations, Ananda said the administration will work to upgrade supporting infrastructure around the mosque, including toilets and ablution areas. “We have conveyed this, if God’s willing it will be budgeted. At the latest by next year, if God’s Willing, there will be additions to the ablution area, toilets, and bathrooms,” he said.

Meanwhile, Head of Banjarmasin City’s Culture, Youth, Sports, and Tourism Agency, Ibnu Sabil, explained that the cap of 500 participants was set as part of the 500th-anniversary commemoration series.

“So, 500 participant slots were prepared by the Sultan Suriansyah Mosque committee. Coincidentally, the city’s anniversary falls in September, and the number 500 is part of the 500-year celebration of Banjarmasin City,” he said.

He added that participants are Banjarmasin City residents selected through coordination and committee meetings with subdistrict officials and other relevant stakeholders. Participation in Baayun Maulid is free of charge.

Sabil assessed that the tradition holds strong cultural and historical value, making it a candidate for expansion to a wider scale. “This is a culture, actually a hereditary tradition. Baayun Maulid is part of the tradition of expressing happiness over the emergence of Islam in Kalimantan,” he said.

Regarding further development, the office will coordinate with the South Kalimantan Provincial Administration, given that the Sultan Suriansyah Mosque also falls under provincial authority. These efforts are expected to open opportunities for Baayun Maulid to become a cultural agenda recognized at the national level.

He also apologized to the public for this year’s limited participant numbers, which were adjusted to the venue’s capacity.

“Next year, we will reconsider how to increase the number of participants, including ensuring that those interested can take part proportionally. For now, we are maximizing what the available space allows,” he said. (Annaila Azzahra-EN)