The Kita Morotai team, part of Universitas Gadjah Mada’s (UGM) Community Service Program (KKN-PPM), successfully hosted the 2026 Rao Rayo Festival on Thursday, February 5th. This vibrant event took place in Posi-Posi Rao Village, located in the Rao Island District of Morotai Island Regency, North Maluku.
With the theme “Celebrating Coastal Cultural Traditions,” this annual festival provided a crucial platform to honor and promote coastal culture, simultaneously reinforcing local identity. Five villages actively participated: Posi-Posi Rao, Saminyamau, Leo-Leo, Aru Burung, and Lou Madoro.
The village harbor area was transformed into a lively open cultural stage, hosting a diverse array of activities. The festival itself stands as a testament to the strong collaboration between KKN students, local government bodies, and the community, all working together to preserve cherished traditions.
Dr. Atrida Hadianti, Supervisor of the Kita Morotai Team, explained that the festival’s origins lie in sustained, cross-period mentoring aimed at culture-based empowerment. She emphasized her belief that such platforms for cultural expression are vital for strengthening social cohesion and fostering opportunities within the creative economy.
Over three consecutive KKN periods, students and local residents engaged in intensive communication, laying the groundwork for the festival’s continued success. Dr. Hadianti highlighted the significant historical and philosophical values embedded in coastal culture, asserting their relevance to regional development.
“The Rao Rayo Festival’s purpose extends beyond attracting tourists; it aims to strengthen community bonds in preserving culture, embodying the spirit of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity),” Dr. Hadianti stated on Thursday, February 12th.
The Morotai Island Regency Government also expressed its profound appreciation, seeing the festival as a prime example of synergy between academic institutions and local communities. Muhammad Umar Ali, the Regional Secretary of Morotai Island Regency, affirmed that the festival’s sustained presence underscores a powerful collective commitment.
Umar Ali pointed out that its consistent execution over the past three years signifies successful community-based empowerment. The local government considers this initiative to be perfectly aligned with broader efforts to reinforce local identity and champion sustainable development.
“Organizing this event for the third time truly demonstrates consistency in both community development and empowerment,” he commented.
Support for the festival was also strongly articulated at the district level, with an emphasis on fostering pride among the youth. Sherly Tamadarage, Head of Rao Island District, highlighted that coastal culture represents both a valuable social asset and a significant economic potential that warrants serious management.
She noted the active participation of young people in the cultural parade and traditional music competition as a positive sign of regeneration among local artists. The festival is seen as instrumental in cultivating a strong sense of belonging to the regional identity.
“Culture is an ancestral legacy that we are obligated to preserve and transmit to younger generations, enabling them to take pride in their unique identity,” she stated.
The festivities commenced with a vibrant Cultural Parade, showcasing traditional attire and dances from each participating village. The harbor area, alive with distinctive coastal music, became an expansive open-air performance venue. Dances such as the Petik Cengkih Dance, Toki Gaba Dance, and Lesung Dance were performed, vividly depicting local community life.
A significant highlight was the Yanger music competition, judged on arrangement, vocal quality, pronunciation in regional languages, and overall stage performance. Later in the evening, a captivating Cultural Theater performance brought the history and local wisdom of Rao Island to life through dramatic storytelling.
Beyond the artistic displays, the festival also hosted MSME (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) exhibitions from each village. Visitors and guests could explore a variety of local culinary products, handicrafts, and processed seafood. This initiative offered valuable promotional opportunities for local entrepreneurs and helped expand their marketing networks.
The event’s successful execution was further bolstered by support from various partners, including both the private sector and state-owned enterprises. Thanks to this cross-sector collaboration, the Rao Rayo Festival is anticipated to flourish as an inclusive and sustainable annual tradition for the community of Rao Island.
