The Floating Market Festival in Banjarmasin is a vibrant annual celebration that highlights the unique culture and traditions of South Kalimantan. Held along the Martapura River, this festival typically takes place in September or October, bringing both locals and tourists to witness the lively atmosphere of floating trade and cultural showcases.
Festival Date and Duration
The exact dates of the festival vary slightly each year, aligning with government and local tourism schedules. It often spans several days, allowing ample time for both day and evening activities.
Event Program
Day 1: Opening Ceremony
- Time: Morning
- Activities:
- Traditional dance performances and local music concerts set the festive tone, featuring regional instruments like the panting (a small lute) and gamelan banjar.
- Opening speeches by local officials and cultural leaders, emphasizing the historical significance of Banjarmasin’s floating markets.
- Spectacular boat parade showcasing various jukung (wooden canoes) decorated with colorful banners, flags, and flower arrangements.
Day 2: Cultural Exhibitions and Art Performances
- Time: All day
- Activities:
- Traditional crafts and food stalls where visitors can watch artisans create items like woven mats, wooden carvings, and jewelry.
- Culinary demonstrations featuring local specialties such as soto banjar (a local chicken soup) and amparan tatak (a sweet rice cake).
- Dance and music performances throughout the day, including Baksa Kembang, a classical Banjar dance typically performed to welcome guests.
Day 3: Floating Market Reenactment and Competitions
- Time: Morning until noon
- Activities:
- Floating market reenactment where vendors sell fresh produce, fruits, snacks, and handicrafts from their jukung along the river, recreating the daily life of Banjarmasin’s traditional floating markets.
- Speed rowing and boat decoration contests, with local participants competing in traditional attire. This contest draws large crowds and has a festive air with cheering spectators and lively music.
Day 4: Closing Ceremony and Fireworks
- Time: Evening
- Activities:
- Concluding cultural performances with dancers, musicians, and local performers from surrounding regions.
- Awards for the best-decorated boats, food vendors, and competition winners from previous days.
- A fireworks display over the Martapura River, marking the festival’s end in a burst of color.
The Floating Market Festival not only celebrates Banjarmasin’s heritage but also promotes local tourism by bringing together communities, artisans, and visitors in a festive and educational environment.