'MAPPANRETASI' FIESTA REFLECTS HARMONY IN LOCAL CULTURES

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, May 9 (Antara) - As a country with over 700 tribal groups speaking more than one thousand local dialects in 34 provinces, Indonesia is greatly rich in local cultures which blend the country into a big nation.         Each region has its own distinctive tradition and culture yet such a tradition and culture does not necessarily develop only in the region concerned. It can also develop in other regions showcasing the country's cultural harmony.         The 'Mappanretasi' maritime fiesta, whose peak event was attended by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) at Pegatan Beach, Tanah Bambu Sub-district, West Kalimantan, for example, is typically a Buginese traditional maritime festival from South Sulawesi.          The local people of Batulicin (capital of Tanah Bambu Sub-district) had organized the Mappanretasi maritime festival since late April in the Pegatan Beach to reflect harmony and to strengthen local cultures.          "Mappanretasi comes from the Buginese local language and consists of two words: 'mappanre' which means 'to feed' and 'tasi' which means 'sea'. It literally means to feed the sea. It is later known as a maritime fiesta. Although this tradition is descended by Buginese fishermen, the Mappanretasi tradition has been considered as the culture of all clans living in this region," Nahrul Fajeri, the head of Tanah Tumbu Sports, Youth Affairs and Culture Service, was quoted by dream.co.id online portal as saying recently.