Orangutan Foundation is proud to support the Sekonyer Festival, celebrating the culture of Sekonyer Village across the river from Tanjung Puting National Park, Indonesian Borneo.
Sekonyer Festival entrance
Tanjung Puting National Park is one of our two key conservation sites. It was officially established as a National Park in 1982. Today the 393,000-acre habitat is home to over 4,400 critically endangered orangutans and an array of other species, many of which are unique to the island of Borneo.
A festival stall raising awareness of orangutan and tropical forest conservation
Sekonyer Village, a traditional village situated on the Sekonyer river, recently held a festival to celebrate their long-standing traditions and culture with the local communities and visitors. We were delighted to support the latest 3-day event in June.
Villagers playing traditional games with Orangutan Foundation staff
The festival raises awareness of the history of the village and its proximity to nature, traditional food and medicines from nature, games that use tools from nature, cultural arts, and their involvement in preserving nature and forests - especially the habitat of orangutans and other endemic animals around the Sekonyer River where the village is situated.
Located at the entrance to the National Park, Sekonyer Village has also become a demonstratable eco-tourism village, welcoming visitors to the Reserve as well as conservation organisations and government officials. The community supplies local resorts with vegetables, offers homestays, and hosts nature-based events such as tree-planting days.
Traditional medicine stall
Conservation is not possible without the support of local people. By celebrating and learning about their practices, we can foster a sense of connection to one another and to our natural world.
