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Minang, Tionghoa people join forces to break MURI record
The dishes were chosen to represent the Minangkabau and Tionghoa cultures.
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Locals look at chicken 'bacang' (rice stuffed with chicken filling) during the Chicken Bacang and Lamang Baluo Festival in Padang, West Sumatra. During the two-day festival, Minangkabau and Tionghoa people worked together to serve 10,000 portions of chicken 'bacang' and 'lamang baluo' in order to break an Indonesian World Records Museum (MURI) record. (Antara/Iggoy el Fitra)
M
inang people and Tionghoa people of Chinese descent joined forces to break an Indonesian World Records Museum (MURI) record by serving 10,000 servings of chicken bacang (rice stuffed with chicken filling and wrapped in bamboo leaves) and lamang baluo (sticky rice with coconut rice filling) during a two-day culinary festival in Padang, West Sumatra.
The event took place from June 6 to 7 in Kota Tua on Jl. Batang Arau and attracted up to 15,000 visitors.
Assistant deputy for market development at the Tourism Ministry Raseno Arya said that it was the first time that people of the two ethnic groups had worked together to break a MURI record.
“This is the first time in Indonesian history that two different cultures have united to break a MURI record. Hopefully, this can serve as an example of a harmonious union in diversity,” Raseno said as quoted by kompas.com on Thursday. He also added that the Padang city administration had coordinated with the Tourism Ministry to organize the event annually.
The head event organizer, Alam Gunawan, said the organizers choose the dishes to represent the Minangkabau and Tionghoa cultures.
Alam said the festival was also intended to promote West Sumatra tourism and culture, as well as boost the local economy.
“Aside from serving bacang and lamang baluo, visitors can also watch art performances that showcase the two cultures. We will also exhibit their clothes, dances and music during this event,” he added.
He also stated that seven professionals had worked to make the bacang, in addition to 15 people who cooked the lamang baluo. These professionals, according to Alam, were well known for their skills in making the traditional snacks.
Separately, Padang Mayor Mahyeldi said he hoped the festival would attract more tourists and help preserve tolerance in the predominantly Muslim city.
“Both ethnic groups have been living in harmony for years. This is something we really appreciate,” he said.(dpk)
