Wakatobi Wave is a festival held to increase the tourism sector, especially marine tourism in Wakatobi. Located in Wakatobi National Park in South Sulawesi which is famous as an underwater tourism paradise, especially for diving lovers.
The festival is held in Wangi Wangi which is a part of Wakatobi apart from Kaleidupa, Tomia and Binongko. During this festival, people will flock to the streets to watch various parades and cultural arts performances.
Apart from the local community, there are also tourists who come to watch the festival. Enjoying marine tourism and also cultural tourism is the attraction for tourists attending this festival. See firsthand the excitement and warmth of the people in Wakatobi with their slaves still awake.
Wakatobi Festival Tourist Attraction
1. Costume Parade
The costume parade is the opening of this festival. Usually school children in unique costumes will appear in the parade. They will walk from the start line to the finish line according to the predetermined carnival route.
Apart from students, representatives from government agencies also took part in this costume parade. They wear various unique costumes such as clothes shaped like crabs, fish, octopuses and other shapes of sea animals. Some participants also wore unique clothing with the addition of typical Wakatobi cloth, namely traditional leja sarongs.
2. Karia Parade
Karia is one part of the festival held at Wangi Wangi. The parade was attended by girls wearing traditional or traditional clothing whose colors were very striking. They appeared in a parade that enlivened the festival atmosphere.
Apart from wearing traditional clothes with cheerful colors, parade participants also wore typical decorations in the form of gold flowers. Accompanied by enthusiastic music, this parade further enlivens the Wakatobi Wave.
3. Decorative Boats
This festival is also carried out by holding decorative boat competitions. Fishing boats are made more attractive by adding accessories according to the festival theme. Several decorated boats will line up along the beach or sea. This activity is usually carried out after the second day or one day after opening.
4. Panjat Pinang
The areca climbing activity is one of the attractions of the Wakatobi Wave. The public is invited to enliven the festival by climbing areca palms which are carried out on the sea around Panggulubelu Harbor. The cheers of the audience provide enthusiasm and joy at this festival event.
5. Colossal Dance Show
This festival is also enlivened with colossal dance performances. Visitors can see the Longko dance performance from Wangi-Wangi Island, the Sajo moane dance from Tompia Island, the Lariangi dance from Kaledupa, and the Balumpa dance from Binongko. This colossal dance performance from the four islands in Wakatobi often makes the audience tense.
What is unique about the colossal dance performance is that hundreds of dancers wear regional or traditional clothing typical of the Wakatobi region. This dance performance is usually held on the first day or at the opening of the festival.
6. Kansoda’a Procession
This festival also features a traditional procession called Kansoda’a. This activity is carried out by guiding native girls from Wakatobi. Women from this area who are growing up will be invited to ride on palanquins and then be paraded around the parade area.
Excitement and joy adorned the faces of the participants who took part in Kansoda’a. It got even busier when the stretcher was thrown up several times.
7. Procession to Find a Soulmate
This festival celebration in Wakatobi is also enlivened by the tradition of finding a soul mate called Kabuenga. This tradition passed down from generation to generation is usually carried out at Merdeka Square with traditional elders leading the procession. The young women and girls from Wakatobi will circle the field and then continue with the Posomui event.
Posombui is done by women bringing drinking water and giving it to one of the men they want to choose. The male participant who received the money expressed his thanks by giving the money.
Time & Location of the Wakatobi Festival
This annual festival is usually held at Merdeka Square and Togo Mowondu Marina. If you come from outside the area, then take the route that goes to Wangi Wangi. This area can be accessed from Bau Bau using a ship. The journey takes around 3 hours depending on sea conditions.
A series of interesting events, ranging from entertainment to culture, are presented at the Wakatobi festival. Tourists who want to watch and join in this festival can pay an entrance ticket of around IDR 160,000 per person. This ticket price can change every year depending on the policy of the organizing committee.
Information on ticket prices for this festival can be found on the official website or social media of the Wakatobi regional tourism ministry. Usually this entrance ticket is valid for those of you who will enter the national park.
Activities Offered at the Wakatobi Festival
1. Decorative Boat Competition
Decorative boat competition activities are one of the events in the Wakatobi wave. Participants who take part in this competition are usually from local communities who own boats. They work together with the team to decorate the boat as beautiful and unique as possible using pictures and various accessories.
For people who do not take part in the competition, they can watch with tourists the rows of boats appearing with their accessories. Usually the decorations for these decorative boats are chosen according to the colors and themes of the Wakatobi festival.
2. Enjoy the sunset
The sunset view in these waters is so stunning with the twilight colors reflected on the sea surface. Tourists can wait for the sunset from around the beach or harbor area.
After enjoying the charm of the sunset, you can continue by enjoying the evening atmosphere. Enjoy the music and dance performed in art performances as part of the Wakatobi festival.
3. Fashion Competition
The fashion carnival is the opening of this festival in Wakatobi. They not only enliven the festival but also take part in a fashion competition which will be judged by the committee. Unique and creative clothing can win and beat other participants.
4. Areca Climbing Competition
Seeing the areca climbing attraction is always exciting and fun. Especially for the areca climbing competition at this festival which is held in Wakatobi waters. Participants climb poles or areca palm trees erected above the sea. There are many attractive prizes waiting for them at the end of the pole to be taken immediately.
Climbing a pole or areca palm tree is not an easy thing. Moreover, the sea water is well known, the slippery surface of the trees makes it difficult for race participants to reach the top. Spectators or tourists usually watch the race from a boat.
5. Enjoy Music Performances
In the evening, the entertainment stages will be filled with music and dance performances. The public can watch and enjoy the art performance. Several famous singers were also invited to enliven the atmosphere of this festival.
6. Watch the Cultural Parade
This festival offers marine and cultural tourism. Apart from enjoying the views around the Wakatobi waters, tourists can also watch several cultural parades displayed at the festival.
Traditions carried out from generation to generation such as Karia, Kansoda’a, and Posombui are part of the Wakatobi cultural parade. The series of cultural parades that are presented is certainly an attraction that is a shame to miss.
7. Enjoy typical Wakatobi culinary delights
An activity that is no less interesting is trying culinary tourism around this area. Try typical Wakatobi dishes and also fresh seafood.
Tourist Facilities Available at the Wakatobi Festival
During this festival, an entertainment stage was created for music and dance performances. This facility is more often used at night for musical performances from singers who have been invited to perform at the event.
During the carnival-like opening, chairs for visitors are provided on the side of the road. These chairs are also installed for government officials and representatives of the local tourism office.
Competition equipment is provided for participants who wish to take part in competition activities at this festival. So participants only need to register to take part in the competition being held.
Several tents were built for the public and invited guests to enjoy the cultural parade or carnival. So you don’t need to worry about overheating while enjoying the series of parades held at this festival.
Tourists and the public who take part in watching a series of festival events can stop by the local food stalls. Typical dishes from the land of Wakatobi and also seafood can be tried at the food stalls around the place where this festival is held.
That is some interesting information about the Wakatobi Festival which is now an annual activity held to increase tourism in this area. Tourists can enjoy cultural performances and also the beauty of marine tourism in Wakatobi waters.
