Mamuju, August 27, 2025
Deputy Minister of Tourism (Wamenpar) Ni Luh Puspa attended the closing ceremony of the “Sandeq Silumba Festival,” an annual event of the West Sulawesi Provincial Government. She stated that it was time for this festival to be promoted more widely, not only nationally but also globally.
While delivering remarks at the Closing Ceremony of the 2025 Sandeq Silumba Festival at the Grand Ballroom of the Maleo Hotel, Mamuju, West Sulawesi, on Tuesday evening (August 26, 2025), Deputy Minister Ni Luh Puspa expressed her appreciation for the enthusiasm of the West Sulawesi Provincial Government, the passandeq (the term for sailors who navigate sandeq boats) from Polewali Mandar, Majene, and Mamuju, and all parties who support the development of West Sulawesi tourism through the presence of quality, meaningful events.
“We must support this spirit together, and the Ministry of Tourism is ready to make the Sandeq Silumba known internationally,” said Deputy Minister of Tourism Ni Luh Puspa.
The Sandeq Silumba Festival, held from August 21-26, 2025, is a traditional sailing boat competition typical of the Mandar people. More than just a means of transportation, the sandeq has become a maritime cultural heritage, a symbol of identity, and a symbol of honor for the Mandar people of West Sulawesi. Even without an engine, the sandeq can sail against the wind at speeds of 15-20 knots.
For the Mandar people, the sea is not only a source of livelihood but also a spiritual space. Therefore, sandeq sailing is often accompanied by traditional rituals for safety. This reflects local beliefs and wisdom that respect nature as something sacred in the journey of life.
The name Sandeq itself in the Mandar language means “pointed,” referring to the sharp and pointed shape of the bow, which symbolizes firmness in life’s goals. Its shield-like shape, agility, and aerodynamic design, along with its open sails, symbolize openness to change and challenges.
The meaning inherent in the sandeq is its unique selling point and makes the Sandeq Silumba Festival even more compelling.
“This is an identity, a culture, and the very identity of the Mandar people of West Sulawesi, which we must protect and preserve. But the most important thing is how we can make this culture, this identity, have a name, become known, and then become something that others will want to learn more about and come to,” said Deputy Minister of Tourism Ni Luh Puspa.
Ni Luh Puspa stated that the Ministry of Tourism is ready to promote the Sandeq Silumba Festival more extensively next year with more optimal preparation. She hopes the festival will be included in the Karisma Event Nusantara (KEN) program, one of the four categories of the Ministry’s Event By Indonesia scale.
The Sandeq Silumba Festival is also closely linked to marine tourism, a key program of Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, namely “Tourism Upgrading” through the development of gastronomic tourism, wellness tourism, and marine tourism to increase local economic impact and tourism competitiveness.
This also aligns with the priority program of President Prabowo and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, namely the Fast Best Results Program (PHTC). This program prioritizes local community empowerment as the foundation for sustainable tourism development, so that economic benefits can be directly felt by coastal communities and cultural activists.
“This is a good thing, and we must continue to improve, enhance, and promote the Sandeq Silumba Festival as an event that truly attracts tourists and revitalizes the economy of West Sulawesi,” said Ni Luh Puspa.
West Sulawesi Governor Suhardi Duka stated that his office will collaborate with the Ministry of Tourism to design the Sandeq Silumba Festival in the future, aiming to scale it to a national scale and, hopefully, even reach the international stage.
“Therefore, we hope that all of you competing this year will maintain your best spirits. And, I congratulate you, the passandeq, who have completed your tasks, and all the stakeholders who helped organize this festival,” said Suhardi.
The 2025 Sandeq Silumba Festival, held along the coast of Polewali Mandar, Majene, and Mamuju, spans approximately 231 kilometers. 770 participants from 55 boats competed for awards and cash prizes.
