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- Royal rituals and palace procession: The heart of Erau is the series of palace ceremonies rooted in the Kutai Sultanate — solemn, symbolic, and visibly different from the touristy pageants you see elsewhere. You’ll see traditional regalia, blessing rites and the slow, formal parade of community leaders and artists; it’s intimate and feels like watching centuries of history still matter. (My personal favorite — it’s powerful and oddly humbling.)
- Traditional dance and theatrical performances: Multiple troupes perform regional dances and folk theatre that retell local myths and court stories. These shows mix precise, choreographed group pieces with expressive solo dances, so you get both spectacle and cultural storytelling in one sitting.
- Costume parade and street pageantry: Expect bright,
- Royal rituals and palace procession: The heart of Erau is the series of palace ceremonies rooted in the Kutai Sultanate — solemn, symbolic, and visibly different from the touristy pageants you see elsewhere. You’ll see traditional regalia, blessing rites and the slow, formal parade of community leaders and artists; it’s intimate and feels like watching centuries of history still matter. (My personal favorite — it’s powerful and oddly humbling.)
- Traditional dance and theatrical performances: Multiple troupes perform regional dances and folk theatre that retell local myths and court stories. These shows mix precise, choreographed group pieces with expressive solo dances, so you get both spectacle and cultural storytelling in one sitting.
- Costume parade and street pageantry: Expect bright, elaborate costumes, big headdresses, and walking floats that fill the streets with color and noise. It’s great for photos and for seeing how communities reinterpret tradition with playful creativity rather than just copy-paste museum costumes.
- Craft markets and hands-on workshops: Local artisans sell ikat textiles, woodcarvings, and small crafts — and many stalls run short workshops where you can try simple weaving, stamping, or carving. It’s the best way to take home something meaningful and learn a tiny skill instead of just buying a fridge magnet.
- Food stalls and night market atmosphere: Street food is a festival lifeline: grilled fish, spicy snacks, sweet fritters and tropical fruit all arranged around communal tables and live music. The night market vibe — loud, messy, delicious — is where locals hang out, so you’ll get the real social side of Erau, not just staged performances.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.