Manage Culture Uniqueness to Attract Tourists, President Jokowi Instructs

President Jokowi and First Lady Ibu Iriana Joko Widodo attend the Sandalwood Horse Parade and the 2017 Tenun Ikat Sumba Festival in traditional attire, on Wednesday (12/7), in Southwest Sumba Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT)

Considering that Indonesia has 714 ethnicities spread over 17,000 islands, the country has advantages over some of the other nations because each tribe and region is unique and has different charm that could attract local and foreign tourists.

For that reason, President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo, wants the uniqueness to be managed well and the promotion to be massively conducted in an effective manner so that the tourists will flock to Indonesia.

Speaking of uniqueness, Sumba Island has its own Sandalwood horse which has traditionally been used as part of parade, and bridal dowry. “It is the symbol of a knight (brave),” President Jokowi said in a remarks in the Sandalwood Horse Parade and the 2017 Tenun Ikat (woven fabric) Sumba Festival in Galatama Field, Southwest Sumba Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), on Wednesday (12/7).

The other uniqueness of Sumba Island is a nose-touching greeting. Upon his arrival at the airport, President Jokowi was told by the Regent of Southwest Sumba about the tradition. “It symbolizes the breath of life,” the President added.

According to the President, both Sandalwood Horse Parade and the 2017 Tenun Ikat Sumba Festival which are held today are concrete examples on how the mother nature gives a local culture that becomes a potential tourism attraction.

Therefore, President Jokowi hopes those two events would not be conducted like fireworks which only spark once and die. The events should be followed up, so that we can think what can be done to preserve this culture so that the tourists will still visiting this area even though there is no festival.

In addition to that, the promotion must be done by using modern technologies. There are many social media platforms that can be used for promotion. We can also invite a blogger to visit Sumba to help the promotion. If it needed, we can find local or international film directors who want to direct a film which covers the beauty of Sumba. Thus, people around the world will know more about NTT,” the President said.

On that occasion, President Jokowi wore a Sumbanese traditional men attire which is called Kalambo and Kapaouta, and equipped with a Sumbanese traditional machete. For the record, Kalambo is woven fabric tied on the waist, and Kapaouta is traditional headband. Meanwhile, the First Lady wore Sumbanese traditional women attire which is called Paghe’e (woven fabric tied on the waist), and carried Kaleku (Sumbanese traditional bag).

On that event, President Jokowi also took his time to give quiz to the people attending the event with bicycle as the present for each correct answer.

Before leaving Galatama Field, President watched cultural attractions, Sandalwood horse parade, the making of tenun ikat, as well as greeted and had a groufie with the people.

Accompanying President Jokowi and First Lady Ibu Iriana Joko Widodo were Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Governor of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Frans Lebu Raya, and Regent of Southwest Sumba Markus Dairo Talu.

After lunch, President Jokowi, First Lady Ibu Iriana Joko Widodo, and the entourage left for Tambolaka Airport, Southwest Sumba Regency at 2 p.m. (Indonesia Central Standard Time) to visit Makassar, South Sulawesi.

(BPMI Setpres/ES) (RA/MMB/YM/Naster)