Mesiwah Pare Gumboh Festival Held Again, Preserving Cultural Heritage and Promoting Liyu Village Tourism

 Paringin Kartininews.com – The Dayak Deah indigenous community in Liyu Village, Halong Subdistrict, Balangan Regency, once again held the 8th Mesiwah Pare Gumboh Festival (MPG), on Friday (10/7/2026). This annual tradition serves as an expression of gratitude for the harvest while also aiming to preserve ancestral culture, which has now developed into one of the cultural tourism attractions in Balangan Regency.

Balangan Vice Regent Akhmad Fauzi expressed appreciation for the people of Liyu Village who continue to safeguard and preserve their ancestral cultural heritage, making it a source of pride for the entire Balangan community.

"I greatly appreciate all parties in Liyu Village who have maintained their ancestral cultural heritage and continue to hold this event routinely every year. This festival is not only a source of pride for the people of Liyu, but also supports Balangan’s development as a tourism destination," he said.

He emphasized that the Balangan Regency Government will continue to support the development of Liyu Village’s tourism potential while preserving local cultural values so they remain sustainable and do not lose their identity.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Organizing Committee for the 8th Mesiwah Pare Gumboh Festival, Budianto, said that this year’s series of activities is largely similar to previous years, as it continues to maintain the traditional rituals that characterize the festival.

"The series of activities begins with a procession to the ritual hall, the Nyerah Ngemonta ceremony, cooking the harvest produce, and the Mesiwah ritual involving the recitation of mantras to the ancestors. In addition to the traditional ceremonies, the event was also enlivened by performances from seven art studios from Balangan Regency and several studios from Tabalong Regency," he said.

Budianto expressed hope that future Mesiwah Pare Gumboh festivals will continue to receive support from both the local and central governments so that the event can develop further and become more widely known.

Liyu Village Head Sukri stated that Mesiwah Pare Gumboh is not merely a traditional ritual or harvest thanksgiving, but also serves as the identity of the Dayak Deah community. It reflects the spirit of mutual cooperation (gotong royong), unity, and gratitude for the abundant blessings of the earth.

According to him, this tradition has now evolved into a space for strengthening bonds of kinship, bringing together local residents, migrants from the village, and visitors from various regions.

"Anyone who comes to this village is not a guest, but a sibling returning home. We hope that everyone who visits will take home stories of the warmth of this brotherhood and will one day return again to Liyu Village," he said.

Through the holding of the 8th Mesiwah Pare Gumboh Festival, the ancestral cultural heritage is expected to be preserved while strengthening Liyu Village’s position as a developing cultural tourism destination in Balangan Regency.