FESTIVAL IN WEST KALIMANTAN

        Festival is a performance of day or time for a public celebration. Every year in West Kalimantan many festivals show traditional cultures from different ethnics. In West Kalimantan there are some festivals such as Cap Go Meh, Gawai Dayak, Robo-Robo, and Meriam Karbit. Each festival has different uniques with the others.

        Cap Go Meh is Chinese festival which is held 14 days after Imlek. Cap Go Meh performs cultural programmes such as Barongsai and Tatung. Cap Go Meh festival is centered in Singkawang. The celebration is started with a ritual to open the eyes of the Barongsai and invite the guardian spirit of the universe to enter the figures. During the procession, Tatungs are supposedly possessed by spirits and enter into a trance. They step on blades and pierce their lips, noses, and cheeks with big needles. The celebration ends with the burning of the Barongsai figures as a symbol of the casting out of evil spirits and leave the area.

        Gawai Dayak is Dayak festival which is celebrated on the 1st of June every year. The festival takes place at the traditional house, Rumah Betang or Rumah Panjang on Jalan Soetoyo, Pontianak. The Dayaknese celebrates Gawai Dayak festival after the rice harvest which symbolizing unity, aspiration, prosperity, and the recognition of Dayak identity. It is held as an expression of gratitude to the Almighty God. In Gawai Dayak festival, the main ceremony is reciting mantras (nyangahatn) called Matik.

        Robo-Robo is Malay festival from Mempawah. It is held every Wednesday on the last week of Syafar, the Islamic month. The purpose of Robo-Robo is to memorize the journey of Opu Daeng Manambon from Matan Kingdom to Mempawah Kingdom on Syafar. Some old people believe that Syafar is a disaster month.

        Meriam Karbit is Malay festival which is held especially in Pontianak. It is usually held at the last night of Ramadhan. When in the period of President Soeharto's government, Meriam Karbit festival was forbidden, and it was celebrated again when the period of President Soeharto's government was over. Meriam Karbit is made from wood. Meriam Karbit festival has taken place many years ago. The festival takes place on the edges of Kapuas River. In last five years, the local governor makes rules that Meriam Karbit festival can only be celebrated three days before Idul Fitri and three days after Idul Fitri.