Fadli Zon: Make Local Cultural Wealth an International Attraction

Fadli Zon. (IST)

PROBOLINGGO - Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, attended the Yadnya Kasada 2025 traditional ceremony held at Pura Luhur Poten, Mount Bromo area, Probolinggo Regency, East Java. The Yadnya Kasada ceremony is a local Indonesian cultural heritage that can be an international attraction.

In his statement, the Minister of Culture stated that this ceremony is part of the Tengger people's tradition that reflects gratitude to God Almighty and respect for the ancestors of Mount Bromo.

"This is part of the Tengger tribe's traditional ceremony that we need to maintain. We have just taken a journey to the peak of Bromo, and the view is extraordinary. This is a form of gratitude to God and part of a very rich culture," said the Minister after attending the procession.

The Yadnya Kasada ceremony is routinely held every year in the 12th month of the Tengger calendar, coinciding with the full moon. One of the core aspects of this procession is the floating of offerings into the crater of Mount Bromo as a symbol of offerings to Sang Hyang Widhi and a show of respect for ancestors.

The Minister of Culture also said that the beauty and cultural richness of the Bromo area is not only a local cultural heritage, but also an international attraction. "We hope that this tradition will continue to be preserved and more people from outside, including internationals, will come to see the richness of Nusantara culture. Including how we maintain tolerance here, and of course, enjoy the awe-inspiring and beautiful nature of Bromo," he said.

On the other hand, the Minister of Culture also highlighted the importance of preserving the environment along with the increasing number of visitors. He said that despite the potential impacts, such as garbage, the local community has committed to cleaning the area through cooperation within 1 to 2 days after the celebration.

Also accompanying the Minister of Culture in this activity were the Minister's Special Staff for Protocol and Household, Rachmanda Primayuda; the Minister's Special Staff for History and Protection of Cultural Heritage, Basuki Teguh Yuwono; and the Director of Belief in God Almighty and Indigenous Peoples, Sjamsul Hadi.

In a series of ceremonies in Bromo, the Minister of Culture also performed Tengger Nandur in Ngadipura Village, Probolinggo. Tengger Nandur is an effort by the government, in this case the Ministry of Culture with the local community, in preserving the environment in the sacred Punden area as well as a form of spiritual harmony between Tengger residents and nature, through planting plants that live in the Bromo area.

By preserving nature, the Tengger community can continue the religion and culture that emphasizes the harmony of humans, fellow living beings, nature, and God.

The cultural richness of the Tengger community in Bromo and the harmony of life with nature are part of Indonesia's national cultural richness. The Ministry of Culture appreciates the Tengger customary law community, which has preserved ancestral traditions so that they can continue to exist today.