Foreign Tourists Join a Cracker-Eating Contest to Commemorate Indonesia Independence Day in Yogyakarta

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On Sunday, the 6th of August 2023, a traditional competition was held to commemorate Indonesia’s independence day in Kapanewon Sewon, Bantul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY). The matches include several staple conventional games, such as a cracker-eating contest: a marbles contest, and many more.

The video of the cracker-eating competition in Sewon, Bantul, went viral on Twitter and Instagram because foreign tourists had been participated in it.

The village youth leader, Mael, was one of the committee members and the person in charge of the competition to commemorate Indonesia’s independence day, which went viral on social media.

Contacted by the local news on Sunday, the 6th of August 2023 evening, Mael said that the three foreign tourists who participated in the competition to commemorate Indonesia’s independence day just happened to stop at his village in Yogyakarta.

Foreign Tourists Join a Cracker-Eating Contest to Commemorate Indonesia Independence Day in Yogyakarta
Source Tribun News

“So, in the village where we live, foreign tourists often pass by while cycling. They usually enjoy the view of the rice fields and cow pens,” said Mael.

“The momentum was just right when they were passing by while cycling; we were holding a cracker-eating competition, and we asked the tour guide whether they wanted to try to join the competition. The foreign tourists were excited about our offer, “explained Mael.

At least nine foreign tourists stopped by to witness and participate in a series of traditional game competitions to commemorate Indonesia’s independence day in this village in Bantul, Yogyakarta.

However, only three foreign tourists that were participated in the competition. Mael said that residents of Semail RT 03, including the competition committee, were very enthusiastic when foreign tourists wanted to participate in the competition to commemorate Indonesia’s independence day.

To maintain the smooth running of the cracker-eating contest, attended by three foreign tourists, the committee even got on a chair to adjust their height to the foreign tourists participating in the competition.

“Those of us who have even climbed on chairs have not reached the height of the bamboo (meanwhile) the foreign tourists only need to stand up and have the same height as (bamboo),” said Mael while laughing.

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