Miniatur Rumah Toraja Passes Through The Heart Of Tanjung Selor City, IKAT Buys The 2025 Cultural Parade General Champion

Miniatur rumah adat Toraja menjadi puat perhatian pengunjung. (Victor Ratu)

TANJUNG SELOR 'Traditional music booms with the cheers of the audience filling the air along the main road of Tanjung Selor City, Saturday (18/10/2025). In the hot sun, the ranks of the Tanjung Selor Toraja Family Association (IKAT) looked stunning with a magnificent miniature Toraja Traditional House, complete with paintings of Putri Lemlaisuri and Tugu Cinta Damai.

Cultural attractions that highlight the richness of traditions and creativity managed to steal the attention of the jury, until finally the Tanjung Selor IKAT was named the 2025 General Champion of Cultural Parade, in the context of the 235th Anniversary of Tanjung Selor City and the 65th Anniversary of Bulungan Regency.

"We are grateful for this achievement. All thanks to the spirit of mutual cooperation, tireless hard work, and love for Toraja culture," said Chairman of IKAT Tanjung Selor, Medianto Rombetsik, after the announcement of the winner.

He explained that the Toraja traditional house that became the icon of the IKAT appearance was not just an ordinary ornamental vehicle. The work is the result of modifications with a wheel-based and control-based driving system such as a ketinting steering wheel that symbolizes local wisdom combined with innovation.

"The process of working is carried out in mutual cooperation until late at night by members and youth of IKAT, including Yohanis Toding Sangbara, Benjamin Ambau, and Om Yopop, who led the decoration team tirelessly until dawn," said Medianto.

"Throughout the parade route, the atmosphere was even more lively when the Chairman of the IKAT Youth (PEMIKAT) guided the way along with a loud voice full of enthusiasm, greeting the residents of Tanjung Selor while singing Mars Bulungan which was interspersed with the song Toraja Marendeng Marampa. The audience's figure broke out every time a typical Toraja chant, Meoli komisi pia, Aihiii!, echoing in the air," he added.

This victory is a historic record for the Toraja community in North Kalimantan. In overseas lands, they not only maintain tradition, but also show how the value of mutual cooperation, togetherness, and cultural love are able to produce proud achievements.

For the people of IKAT, this victory is not the end, but a reminder that Toraja culture will continue to live grown, adapted, and firmly rooted in the land of North Kalimantan. IKAT is always in the heart. From us, by us, and for all of us," said Medianto full of emotion.

Not only appearances on the streets, the spirit of togetherness also appears behind the scenes. Women IKAT prepare consumption, the fathers take care of logistics and equipment, while Toraja's young people present the Matirra and Magellu dances with burning energy to the finish line.

Chairman of the Bulungan Regency IKAT Djohanis Rappun together with advisors and senior IKAT figures also walked in the front row, becoming a symbol of togetherness across generations. This parade is not just a competition, but a celebration of identity and proof of community strength," he concluded.