Peh Cun Festival, A Living Celebration of Harmony and Heritage

TheIndonesia.co - Each year, as the fifth day of the fifth month on the lunar calendar arrives, the Peh Cun Festival breathes life into riversides, beaches, and communities across Indonesia. In places like Pangkalpinang and Tangerang, the celebration pulses with colour, culture, and meaning—more than a festival, it’s a testament to heritage, harmony, and hope.

Known globally as the Dragon Boat Festival, Peh Cun has its roots in Chinese tradition, but in Indonesia, it has evolved into a vibrant cultural bridge that connects generations, ethnicities, and communities.

In Pangkalpinang, the capital of Bangka Belitung Province, according to Antara News Agency, hundreds of residents and visitors gather at Pasirpadi Beach to mark the occasion. The Festival Pasirpadi Peh Cun 2025 became a spectacle of tradition and unity.

Among the most curious and magical of customs is the midday egg-standing ritual. Under the bright sun, people attempt to stand raw eggs upright—a practice believed to invite good fortune. Not everyone succeeds, but that’s not the point. The ritual, passed down through generations, blends folklore with optimism, a simple yet profound symbol of balance in life. School children, government officials, private companies, and local communities come together not just for fun but to preserve a rich tradition that binds them to their roots.

The celebration doesn't stop at balancing eggs. Over two days, the beach transforms into a stage for drama musicals, lion dances, Javanese “kuda lumping” performances, reog shows, and bustling stalls where local artisans and food vendors thrive.

It’s a carnival of sound, taste, and movement. The addition of the Run to Sea Duathlon and celebrity appearances, including famed actress Ayu Azhari, gave this year’s festival a modern twist. This mix of old and new reflects how Peh Cun is not frozen in time but lives and grows with its people.

Meanwhile, in the city of Tangerang, another grand celebration of Peh Cun unfolds along the Cisadane River. The area comes alive with the roar of traditional drums and the splash of oars during the iconic dragon boat races. The Festival Perahu Naga Peh Cun 2576/2025 isn't merely a sports competition—it is the heartbeat of a centuries-old story.

Here, the ritual of “memandikan Perahu Papak” or bathing the sacred flat-bottomed boat is performed solemnly the night before the festivities. Using water from the Cisadane that has been ritually blessed, elders cleanse the boat, not just of dirt, but of spiritual residue. This act of purification is a deep-rooted tradition that symbolizes respect for ancestors, a prayer for safety, and a hope for success. It’s one of the few remaining rituals that link today’s generation to the early Chinese settlers who brought the custom to Indonesian shores.

Rituals like this, including the tossing of “bakcang” or glutinous rice dumplings into the river, recreate the tale of Qu Yuan, a patriotic Chinese poet who drowned himself to protest government corruption during the Warring States period. According to legend, villagers raced in boats and threw food into the water to keep fish from devouring his body. That ancient story continues to be reenacted not just in form but in spirit—echoing the values of sacrifice, loyalty, and unity.

Tangerang's mayor, Sachrudin, emphasized that the festival has grown far beyond a Chinese community event. Declared an official intangible cultural heritage by Indonesia’s Ministry of Education and Culture in 2020, Peh Cun in Tangerang has become a symbol of the city’s commitment to inclusivity. It is now celebrated by people of various backgrounds, standing side by side at the river’s edge—cheering, competing, and sharing food. For many, Peh Cun is no longer just a cultural relic; it’s an expression of national identity and multicultural harmony. It’s about how diverse traditions can coexist and strengthen the collective spirit.

Both Pangkalpinang and Tangerang have shown how Peh Cun is not merely performed—it’s lived. Local governments in both cities actively support the festivals not only to preserve culture but also to boost tourism and economic growth. Events like these attract thousands of visitors, energizing small businesses and inspiring younger generations to embrace and inherit the legacy. In Pangkalpinang, the festival is also a platform for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to showcase their crafts and culinary treasures, turning culture into opportunity. In Tangerang, the festivities span a full month, drawing crowds from all over the country and even abroad.

Despite the many layers of entertainment, the soul of Peh Cun remains deeply spiritual. It is a time to honor ancestors, reflect on the past, and cleanse the path forward. Even the competitive spirit of dragon boat racing carries the message of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance. From the careful strokes of the paddlers to the focused rituals of temple priests, every moment in Peh Cun is a thread in the broader tapestry of cultural continuity.

Today, the festival stands as a vibrant blend of heritage and innovation. It demonstrates how a tradition rooted in ancient China has been embraced and transformed by Indonesian communities into a celebration of shared humanity. Whether it’s the shimmering dragon boats on the Cisadane or the balanced eggs on the sands of Pasirpadi, Peh Cun’s message is clear—culture connects, and traditions endure when they’re kept alive in the hearts and hands of the people.

As the sun sets on the final day of festivities, laughter lingers in the air, and the echo of drums fades into the evening breeze. The rituals may end, but the spirit of Peh Cun lives on—an annual reminder of who we are, where we come from, and the rich, shared future we continue to build together.