Makassar’s Pantai Losari Hosts Mangkasara’ Molulo Festival to Showcase Tolaki Heritage to ASEAN

MAKASSAR , INDONESIA - The Anjungan Pantai Losari waterfront in Makassar became a vibrant hub of traditional music and rhythmic dance on Saturday, August 29, 2026. The Bumi Anoa Nusantara Festival Mangkasara’ Molulo served as a major cultural platform, bringing together cultural custodians, artists, and traditional leaders from across Indonesia and neighboring ASEAN nations.

The cross-border event welcomed distinguished representatives, including delegates from the Tolaki Customary Institution of Southeast Sulawesi (LAT SULTRA) and the Secretary-General of the Indonesian Customary Council (MAI), M. Rafik Datuk Rajo Kuaso. International representation included prominent Malaysian artists and cultural figures Hj. Azmee Bin Abd Manap from Terengganu and Mohammad Syamsul Fidhuan Bin Masri from Selangor Darul Ehsan.

Bisman Saranani, a figure representing the Tolaki customary community, highlighted the event's role in elevating indigenous heritage onto the global stage.

"This festival serves as a vital avenue for promoting Tolaki culture, particularly the traditional Molulo dance," Saranani noted during the proceedings. "Molulo is rich in social meaning, symbolizing unity, mutual assistance, and community cooperation. Through this platform in Makassar, we aim to foster international appreciation for Tolaki traditions."

Event initiator and General Chairman of the Bumi Anoa Youth Movement of Southeast Sulawesi (AMBA SULTRA), Stenly Diover, announced plans to institutionalize the festival as an annual regional gathering.

"The Mangkasara’ Molulo initiative is designed as a recurring annual platform to strengthen cultural and strategic collaboration between South Sulawesi and Southeast Sulawesi," Diover stated. "Moving forward, our objective is to broaden this framework by inviting greater participation from cultural practitioners across ASEAN countries."

By unifying diverse delegations along the Losari coast, the festival underscored the capacity of indigenous heritage to serve as a bridge for diplomatic goodwill and intercultural solidarity across Southeast Asia.