Banda Neira Festival

About The Event

Banda Neira Festival 2024 is an event that commemorates the rich history of Banda, where cloves and nutmeg became valuable commodities sought after by European nations. This includes the story of Pulau Rhun, which was exchanged for Manhattan between the Dutch and the English through the Treaty of Breda.

The festival is designed as a nostalgic journey through the historical sites of Banda, emphasizing the historical significance of the region. With the slogan "Don’t Die Before Visiting Banda," a quote from Sutan Sjahrir, the festival aims to convey a deep and meaningful message.

This year’s festival highlights the iconic Lomba Belang/Kora-kora, a traditional rowing competition that has historical value as the boat used in warfare, rowed by 30-33 people to fight colonial invaders. The tradition is preserved through the Belang Adat and Belang Nasional competitions (traditional and national rowing races). The festival will also feature a cultural carnival, an underwater photo competition, a colossal dance performance at Fort Belgica, local UMKM showcases, and live concerts by Maluku's local artists.