BUKITTINGGI — Amidst the increasingly rapid flow of globalization, traditional music is not only surviving but also thriving. This is the strong message of Pitunang Ethnogroove 2025, held at Ateh Ngarai Field, Bukittinggi, August 1–2, 2025. This festival was initiated by the Ministry of Culture, in collaboration with the Bukittinggi City Government and the Gaung Marawa Community, as part of a serious effort to promote cultural advancement through music.
Minister of Culture Fadli Zon emphasized that traditional music has a strong place to live if it continues to be facilitated. "Tradition is part of our identity. We need to affirm and support traditional arts, including music," Fadli said at the opening of the event on Friday, August 1.
He added that the Ministry of Culture has positioned music as a strategic sector. "We want traditional music to be a space for cross-generational expression and a tool for Indonesian cultural diplomacy on the world stage," he said.
The Pitunang Ethnogroove Festival is part of the Indonesian Traditional Music Festival (FMTI), which this year rotates across Lampung, West Sumatra, South Kalimantan, and Central Java. The title "Pitunang," which means charm in the Minang language, reflects the captivating power of local rhythms. "Ethnogroove," meanwhile, reflects a blend of ethnic harmony with a modern touch.
The director of the Pitunang Festival, Indra Arifin, described the event as a meeting place for generations. "Local knowledge is the starting point for new creations. We unite the spirit of preservation and innovation," he explained.
The lineup of musicians who performed reflected diversity and regeneration: MJ Project, Ragam Raso, Silek Galombang, Saandiko, Gandang Tambua Mass, and Eta Margondang from North Sumatra. Special performances by Jaguank, Ngartini Huang & Band, Ajo Buset, and other national artists added to the lively atmosphere.
The festival also honored maestros who have dedicated their lives to traditional music. These included Amril Agam (Gamad), M. Halim alias Mak Lenggang (Saluang), and Golo Tasirikeru (Mentawai), who were awarded medals by the Minister of Culture.
Despite the rain, the enthusiasm of the residents of Bukittinggi and the surrounding areas remained unwavering. Thousands of people remained, enjoying every melody amidst the cool hillside air.
More than just a festival, Pitunang Ethnogroove also serves as a strategic platform for promoting the National Talent Management (MTN) program for Arts and Culture. The young talents who performed were selected for the MTN Ikon Inspirasi and MTN Asah Bakat programs—opening up opportunities for them to develop with mentors and new networks within an inclusive arts ecosystem.
"This isn't just a celebration. It's part of building a cultural ecosystem. We want to produce new talents capable of preserving and developing traditional music," emphasized Director General of PPPK Ahmad Mahendra.
Pitunang Ethnogroove 2025 doesn't just celebrate the past. This festival also serves as a bridge to the future, where local cultural heritage lives on—chiming, dialogue, and metamorphosing.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
