A Cultural Celebration

October 28 marked the annual Youth Pledge Day, aka Hari Sumpah Pemuda, in Indonesia. Students of SMAN 1 Matauli Pandan initiated the celebration with a festive parade around the school’s campus, highlighting the traditional fashion from twelve unique Indonesian communities. Before the day’s events, all students were divided into twelve groups representing different provinces and assigned to research the traditional cuisine and culture of their respective regions. Following the parade, everyone hurried into the decorated gymnasium as students put the final touches on their designated food stands before opening for business.

ETA Katrien Weemaes accompanied the traditional dance club to commence the day’s festivities with a performance featuring the traditional dances from Aceh (Tari Saman), West Sumatra (Tari Piring and Tari Indang), Riau (Tari Zapin), and North Sumatra (Tari Tor Tor). Following the historical fashion of the Tapanuli Tengah region, Katrien wore Uis Gara, which consisted of red clothes adorned with golden patterns, representing the official traditional attire of the Karo community.

Students continued to commemorate the day with a fashion show exhibiting the unique culture of their designated province. Simultaneously, they sold a variety of delectable refreshments, aspiring to win for the most creative fashion designs and food stands across all twelve groups. The day’s agenda concluded with final debates for the top five OSIS (student council) candidates and a speech competition for selecting the 2023 Miss and Mas Matauli titleholders. Katrien felt deeply honored to participate in Hari Sumpah Pemuda, witnessing the Matauli school community’s celebration of the adage, ‘Our Culture is Our Home.’

Katrien Weemaes is currently teaching at SMAN 1 Matauli Pandan, North Sumatra.

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