Story from Kalamanthana (East Borneo)

Erau "Beseprah" (Kutai community eating breakfast together)

(japanese delegation enjoying beseprah eating a yellow rice and sambal goreng tempe)

Erau Indonesia is a cultural tradition that is held every year with activities in the city center Tenggarong, Kutai, East Kalimantan. Erau comes from Kutai, Eroh which means crowded, boisterous, noisy, joyful atmosphere. The atmosphere is lively, boisterous voice in the sense of the many activities of a group of people who have good intent and meaning is sacred, ritual, and entertainment.

Beseprah is a form of solidarity between sultanate (Royal Family) and people. This tradition is embodied by eating together by sitting cross-legged, facing each other, and using hand when eating (common way of eating in family or kutai villagers) 

Starting from the relatives of Kutai Kartanegara Palace, the officials of Kutai Kartanegara, and ordinary people are gathered together in this tradition. Here the distance between common people, royal noble and official government to be dashed. The intention to strengthen brotherhood and dissolve the strata is a meaning contained in Beseprah. All the components converge in a single element symbolized through the tradition of eating together, sitting together, and using hands.

Beseprah takes place in front of Kutai Kartanegara Sultanate Palace (in front of Mulawarman Museum) located at St. Diponegoro. involves thousand of people from various social strata who crowd over approximately 1 kilometer from the end of Aji Imbut Bridge to the intersection of Mount Pedidik, Tenggarong, Kutai Kartanegara.

The committee has prepared a variety of accommodations in Beseprah especially at this time, includes free meals consisting of typical Kutai culinary such as Kebuli rice, yellow rice, rice pundut, Digence Ruan and various snacks such as pumpkin putu, basong, serabai, and bongkok. In addition to preparing meals, the committee has also held a tarp as a cushion for the people who will follow the tradition along St. Diponegoro.

Baseprah is started around 09.00 AM when the Regent of Kutai, Rita Widyasari hits kentongan (bamboo alarm drum).

photo source (instagram,google.image)