TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Pacu Jalur Festival, an annual boat race held in Kuantan Singingi, Riau, has recently captured global attention. This traditional Indonesian event went viral after a TikTok post from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, showed players mimicking the distinctive movements of a child at the boat's bow, with the caption, "His aura made it all the way to Paris."
Last year, the August race saw 225 boats, or "jalur" as they are known locally, compete. This year, the festival, which is part of the Kharisma Event Nusantara, is slated to take place from August 20-25, 2025.
The History of Pacu Jalur
According to the region's website kuansing.go.id, the origins of Pacu Jalur trace back to the 17th century, when the "jalur" served as the primary mode of transportation for villagers along the Kuantan River. Spanning from Hulu Kuantan Subdistrict upstream to Cerenti Subdistrict downstream, these long boats, capable of carrying 40-60 people, were essential for transporting both villagers and crops, such as bananas and sugarcane.
Traditionally, a "jalur" is crafted from a single, long tree trunk without any joints. Before felling a large tree for a "jalur," the entire community would perform a ritual to honor and seek permission from the wilderness.
Over time, the "jalur" evolved beyond simple transport. Boats began to feature intricate carvings of snake heads, crocodiles, or tigers on their hulls and prows. These decorated vessels, adorned with accessories such as umbrellas, ropes, shawls, central poles (gulang-gulang), and banners (where the helmsman stands), were exclusively used by regional leaders, nobles, and elders.
A century later, the "jalur" gained a new purpose: speed racing. What started as a local competition to commemorate Islamic holidays during the Dutch colonial era transformed into a celebration of Queen Wilhelmina's birthday on August 31st. Following Indonesia's independence, the race became an integral part of the country's Independence Day festivities.
The Heart of the Race: The Boat Racers
The Pacu Jalur race typically spans two to three days, depending on the number of participating "jalur." Each "jalur" boat, measuring 25 to 40 meters long, accommodates 45-60 rowers, known as "boat racers."
Every "jalur" crew has distinct roles vital to their performance: the "conchang" (signaller), the "pinggang" (helmsman), a dancer, and the "onjay," who sets the rhythm at the helm with their swaying body. Dressed in eye-catching, colorful costumes, their synchronized movements, coupled with the sound of cannons and encouraging shouts, create a mesmerizing cultural spectacle for onlookers.
Pacu Jalur's Global Recognition
Haji Roni Rakhmat, Head of the Riau Provincial Tourism Office, emphasized the Indonesian government's commitment to preserving this cultural heritage through continuous support for the annual Pacu Jalur Festival in Kuantan Singingi. He views the viral social media attention on the boat racers' unique movements as evidence of the universal appeal of local wisdom and its potential to thrive on the global stage.
"This phenomenon also presents a golden opportunity to further increase tourist visits to Riau and Kuantan Singingi, while also cultivating local pride in their own culture," Haji Roni said, as quoted by Media Center.
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