Kerinci to participate in archipelago drum festival in Malaka

The festival is every year in Asian countries with populations of Malaysian stock on a totaing basis, Arlis Harun, head of Kerinci district`s youth, sports, tourism and culture office, said said here Wednesday.

"The archipelago drum festival will be participated in by a number of racially Malay countries and a number of provinces in Indonesia," Arlis said.

The Asian countries to participate in the archipelago drum festival in Malaka include Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, the Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia and Madagascar. A number of areas in Indonesia that belong to the Malay family such as West Kalimantan, South Sulawesi and all provinces in Sumatra will take part in the festival.

Kerinci district would send 25 drummers and dance teams who will perform two dances, namely the Sike and Italau. Arlis said Kerinci district`s participation in the festival was for the first time representing Jambi province. Kerinci district`s participation in the drum festival in Malaka was a matter of pride for the local administration as it would promote Kerinci as a tourist destination.

Kerinci district was chosen to represent Jambi province in the event because it frequently holds art performances through the Community Care Kerinci Lake Festival (FMPDK). "As the FMPDK event is held every year in the presence of domestic and foreign guests, the archipelago drum festival organizer chose Kerinci as one the participants," Arlis added.