Indonesia
Archipelago
From boat races and traditional cooking competitions to cracker-eating contests, Indonesians across the country took part in traditional games and festivities to mark the 81st anniversary of independence on Monday, while some communities have opted for more subdued celebrations following a series of natural disasters and amid continued economic pressures.
A silhouette of participants attempting to reach the top of a greased pole on Monday during an annual traditional pole-climbing competition held to mark Indonesia’s Independence Day in the Cilincing area of North Jakarta. (JP/Iqro Rinaldi)
From boat races and traditional cooking competitions to cracker-eating contests, Indonesians across the country took part in traditional games and festivities to mark the 81st anniversary of independence on Monday, while some communities opted for more subdued celebrations following a series of natural disasters and amid continued economic pressures.In Batam, Riau Islands, motorboats and speedboats ferried thousands of residents to Belakang Padang district in Penawar Rindu Island on Monday morning for an annual boat-racing festival that has been held for decades.
