As August arrives in Kuantan Singingi Regency, Riau Province, the banks of the Batang Kuantan River swell with more than just water. Crowds from across Sumatra and beyond converge on the quiet town of Teluk Kuantan, drawn by the thunderous chants, the beat of traditional drums, and the elegant procession of ornately decorated boats slicing through the brown river. This is Pacu Jalur, the grand riverboat race, a spectacle of culture, competition, and pride that has flowed through generations of the Malay people m Kuantan Singingi Regency.
Pekanbaru (Catra Media) —Dating back over a century, Pacu Jalur (literally “rowboat race”) is a traditional Malay rowing competition believed to have originated in the early 17th century. Originally held by villagers along the Batang Kuantan as a ceremonial event to commemorate religious and royal holidays, Pacu Jalur gradually evolved into a major cultural festival.
Historical accounts and local oral histories indicate that the race was once associated with the Islamic New Year and the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, where villages showcased their strength and unity by crafting massive wooden boats and training their best rowers.
Today, it is tightly linked with Indonesian Independence Day celebrations, held annually every August 23–26. The event is formally supported by the Riau provincial government and the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, making it a key attraction in the regional cultural calendar.
Each jalur (traditional boat) can be up to 25 to 40 meters long and manned by 40 to 60 rowers, along with a commander, a tukang onjai (the person who controls the rhythm), and a juru mudi (navigator). The boats are handcrafted from selected tree trunks—typically kulim or meranti—in a process that can take months and involve nearly the entire village.
These boats are not only racing vessels; they are works of art. Each one is painted in bright colors and adorned with flags, carvings, and traditional motifs. The identity of a village is often embedded in its jalur, with some boats named after legendary heroes, animals, or natural forces.
The race itself, held on the straight stretch of the Batang Kuantan River in Teluk Kuantan, is an adrenaline-filled contest. With boats racing in pairs, synchronized rowing is essential. The shouting of commands, the clapping of the tukang onjai, and the roar of the audience create an electric atmosphere, with each heat narrowing down to the grand final.
To the people of Kuantan Singingi, Pacu Jalur is more than a race—it is an expression of community identity, cultural heritage, and inter-village unity. Each village forms its own rowing team, investing time and resources into training, boat maintenance, and choreography.
Winning the race is a matter of immense pride, often rewarded not just with trophies or money, but with cultural honor. Victorious teams are celebrated in traditional ceremonies, while their jalur is preserved as a symbol of glory.
According to Dr. M. Nasir, a local historian from Universitas Riau, “Pacu Jalur is a symbol of how the Malays of Kuantan express their gotong royong spirit. It encapsulates teamwork, perseverance, and artistry. Losing is not a shame—it’s about participating in something larger than yourself.”
In recent decades, Pacu Jalur has drawn significant national and international attention. The Ministry of Tourism included it in the “Kharisma Event Nusantara” to promote traditional culture-based tourism. It is estimated that over 100,000 visitors attend the festival annually, injecting revenue into local businesses, from hotels and eateries to souvenir shops and transport services.
In 2014, Pacu Jalur was officially recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture. There are ongoing efforts to nominate it for UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status, which would further amplify its global recognition.
However, challenges remain. Deforestation in Sumatra makes it harder to find suitable trees for crafting new jalur. Additionally, climate change and pollution threaten the health of the Batang Kuantan River itself. Some local activists and community leaders are advocating for stricter environmental policies to ensure that the river remains clean and navigable for future generations.
For the youth of Teluk Kuantan and its surrounding villages, joining a jalur team is a rite of passage. Schools incorporate Pacu Jalur stories into their curricula. Cultural workshops and training camps help preserve the skills of boat-making and traditional rowing. “It’s how we connect to our ancestors,” says Rizki, a 17-year-old rower from Desa Koto Tuo. “When I row, I feel like I’m not just racing—I’m telling a story.”
Indeed, Pacu Jalur is storytelling in motion: a tale of rivers and races, of communities bound by wood, water, and rhythm. As long as the Batang Kuantan flows, so too will the legacy of this grand Malay tradition.
Fast Facts: Pacu Jalur
- Location: Teluk Kuantan, Kuantan Singingi Regency, Riau, Indonesia
- When: Annually in August (usually August 23–26)
- Number of Boats: 100+ teams in peak years
- Boat Size: Up to 40 meters long, with 40–60 paddlers
- Cultural Status: Recognized as National Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2014
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