teraju.id, Mempawah – On the drive from Pontianak to Mempawah, the rain began to fall. Just two hours later, we arrived at a beautiful Mempawah Official Residence, perfectly situated near by each cultural site we visited. That night, we were welcomed with Pak El Zuratnam (Head of Department of Education, Youth, Sports and Tourism, Mempawah Regency) for have a dinner with the local tradition dishes.
Our journey began early on Tuesday, August 19, with a visit to the Tomb of Opu Daeng Manambon. As someone from the United States, I had never experienced a cultural custom quite like it. Everyone who entered the tomb was required to remove shoes, as a sign of respect and cleanliness for the deceased. Inside, there was a lot of gold paint and carpets on the ground to pray. Coming from a background that doesn’t pray, it was a new experience for me. An old man recited a prayer in Arabic and everyone around me closed their eyes. I decided that even if I wasn’t sure of the official process of praying, I would take this time to reflect and think about what I am grateful for the amount of hospitality and welcoming gestures I have experienced as someone who is from a completely different background.
Later that day, we toured the Mangrove trees in Desa Pasir, I learned about how fast mangroves can grow and nicknamed them the “magic trees”. One mangrove tree can produce oxygen for two humans. So everyday the program works hard to preserve the trees while simultaneously planting new ones, trying to create more land. It was beautiful the way they did not mind the media and attention aspect of the movement, but just to heal the earth. “Humans need nature but nature does not need humans,” a quote by Bang Delly, our tour guide, is what stuck with me the most. We also got to plant one, not only learn about how beneficial these trees are. Even if it is just a tiny thing we did, it can make a huge impact on the environment.
That night we had the honor of attending the Toana Ceremony at the Amantubillah Palace. The walls were covered in portraits and vibrant colors, just like the clothing of the people in the room.
The Toana ceremony was a celebration where new titles were handed out to pass on the duties and their royal relatives. At the beginning before the ceremony started, The introductions were made in each tribe’s local language. It was amazing to see all these different tribes in one room, each with different clothes and customs all working together.
Our third and final day in Mempawah, Wednesday, August 20, began in very early, before the sun had risen everyone gathered outside for the morning ceremony (Saprahan) with Ibu Erlina, Regent of Mempawah. All the males sat on one side, and the females on the other. In between was vegetables, various meats, ketupat and Patlau. The feeling of community that I felt being surrounded by everyone sharing food was incredible. I am so grateful I got the opportunity to come and experience Mempawah during Robo Robo. It will be an experience I will never forget.(Sela Ramona: Exchange Student form USA)
