West Sulawesi has a unique tradition every August, which also commemorates Indonesia's birthday. Every August 17th, we will see many interesting celebrations in various villages and remote areas of West Sulawesi. Call it a cultural parade, which a number of other regions in this country may rarely do. Sometimes residents also express their gratitude for Indonesia's birthday by holding a number of competitions, ranging from sack racing, to decorating a rickshaw, to the famous sandeq boat race to foreign countries. However, the current generation may not be familiar with him.

Decorate the rickshaw
This tradition is interesting because it combines creativity and local wisdom. Especially in many areas in West Sulawesi, rickshaws are still very popular as an alternative means of transportation. The way residents and pedicab drivers decorate this mode invite laughter. Some have succeeded in transforming this three-wheeled vehicle into an army tank. Not only the shape, but also the patterns and colors that adopted the soldiers' striped uniforms. There are also those who dress their rickshaws with colorful plastic flowers, crepe paper, and brightly colored fabrics so they look lively. The procession of ornamental rickshaws not only pleases the audience because it is photogenic, but also indirectly improves the economy of the drivers. During the carnival, this ornamental pedicab usually travels to villages.

Sayyang Pattudu
In a number of areas in West Sulawesi, carnivals of ornamental rickshaws are usually held together with pattudu or horse dancing attractions. In fact, this tradition used to be done as a form of gratitude for parents because their children have already learned the Koran. But in the end, many people also hold pattudu at big events, such as the anniversary of Indonesia and West Sulawesi. Even the Sayyang Pattudu Festival has recently been held regularly every August to maintain the local wisdom of the Mandar tribe. In one celebration, the usual 40 horses are included in the procession. On top of the horse sits a young woman in traditional Mandar clothes, who is paraded while being covered with a tambourine. This tradition is very interesting because it also presents Kalinda'da or Mandar poetry, which is thrown together. The poetry content is diverse. Sometimes the poet admires the beauty of a woman on a horse. However, sometimes the material is serious, such as about education, social issues, to government and religion. The content of the material is what sometimes makes the audience laugh.

Sandeq Race
The Sandeq boat festival has been around since 1995. This race has even been very global as a form of cultural uniqueness and Mandar marine tourism. Apart from triggering the adrenaline rush, it also features exotic boats competing to get to the finish line first. Not infrequently foreign tourists come to watch it, both from Europe and Southeast Asia. The starting point and stage in this Sandeq boat race changes every year. This year, the committee has actually designed a starting point at Pantai Bahari, Polewali Mandar, and ending at Rimuku Beach, Mamuju. However, the Corona pandemic has temporarily postponed this event.

BACA JUGA:
Selain Mandar, Ini Enam Suku yang Mendiami Sulbar sejak Zaman Dulu
Bunggu, Suku Berumah Pohon di Mamuju Utara

In each race, there are usually dozens of sandeq boats competing at speed. One sandeq boat is controlled by 13 crew members. They work together for dozens of days at sea, to be the fastest. Sandeq is special because it is considered as one of the traditional boats without engines with high speed. This boat can sail at a speed of 20-30 knots or 50 kilometers per hour. The speed is influenced by the shape of the boat which is slender. I was so interesting, Sandeq's race was included in the top 30 of the best tourist events in Indonesia.

Culinary feast of the people
The snack parties here are not arbitrary. Because it combines an attitude of mutual cooperation, sharing, as well as showing off Mandar's culinary delights which are known to be delicious. At the end of August, Mandar people usually cook a number of snacks and main menus. The interesting thing is, they put this dish on the front table of the house so that anyone can visit it and even taste it. Starting from paranggi cake, seafood, to vegetable ketupat, we can enjoy it without paying the owner.

Polish the walls and fences of the house
Some residents still carry on this old tradition. During August, they used to paint the outer walls of their houses and fences with new colors. Sometimes they don't use chemical paints, but from used materials or liquids. The goal is to celebrate Indonesia's birthday.

TRIVIA