Kutai Folk Festival Called ERAU

Dear Steemian friends,
This festival is one of the oldest folk festivals in Indonesia. Taking place in one of the cities in East Kalimantan Province namely Tenggarong located in Kutai Kartanegara Regency. This festival has been held for decades, from year to year the show is getting more festive.

This traditional festival was originally just a traditional event that was done because of the people's party but now it is growing into an international festival, it is becaused there are some countries that participated in enliven this Festival. Those countries are India, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Kazakhstan, China and some other countries.

Erau word comes from the word Eroh which means noisy and crowded. This festival was first held during the first Kutai King named Aji Batara Agung Dewa Sakti who was then 5 years old celebrate the ceremony Tinjak Tanah and bathe to the edge of the river. And at the time of his coronation became king in Kutai Kartanegara, this ceremony back in the show.

The traditional festival of Erau lasts for a week. And during this festival Sultan Kutai is forbidden to Tinjak Tanah (step on the ground) or out of the house, and this festival can last more than 7 days if the public wants this festival to continue. The festival began at the time of the Tonggak Ayu (kinda milestone) built and afterwards held traditional ceremonies called Menjamu Benua as the opening ceremony. This ceremony as a request permission to the spirits of the guardian on the Continent so the event can take place smoothly. For 7 days this festival showing various kinds of events, such as dances, culinary festivals, art expo, fashion art, art performances from participating countries and also Dragon Boat festival.

There is also Beseprah event, which is a joint meal between the community and the family of Kutai Sultanate. The event was held in the palace yard. Mounted tents and deployed carpets 1 kilometer long for people who will join this party. Thousands of people will gather to eat together and free food is provided in this event.

On the 7th day, which is the last day of the festival a lot of crowds attending, the event starts from in the morning until in the afternoon. The ritual performed on the last day is Ngulur Naga (release the dragon for floated to the river). On this ritual performed a replica of the Dragon (tens of meters long) that will be paraded by the envoys of Kutai Palace. The Dragon is paraded from Tenggarong city to Anggana Pier, after that it is boarded to the boat for floated to the river.

This festival closed with the tradition of Belimbur. This tradition is the most awaited, that is to water each other. It was finally a water war, between the audience (visitors) and the local community.

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