UGM students conducting community service in North Halmahera held a Spice Festival, “Togamaloka Culture Festival,” for two days, from August 3rd to 4th, 2023, at Tobelo Town Square, North Halmahera Regency.
The student coordinator in North Halmahera, Syamil Maududi, explained that the festival aims to promote and introduce the cultural richness of North Halmahera to the broader community.
This event culminated a series of Collaborative Community Service programs between UGM, Halmahera University, Khairun University, and the North Halmahera Government, lasting from June 23rd to August 11th, 2023.
The festival featured traditional dance performances from Tobelo, traditional Yangere music, performances by local communities, a choir from Halmahera University, and an exhibition of MSMEs and products from the students.
“With the theme of the culture of North Halmahera, this festival serves as a platform for promotion, education, entertainment, and appreciation of the cultural wealth held by the people of North Halmahera while advancing local MSMEs to strengthen the local economy,” Maududi stated on Wednesday (3/8).
The Collaborative Community Service in North Halmahera involved 30 UGM students, 9 Khairun University students, and 15 Halmahera University students, focusing on processing spices into various high-value products, aiming to revive the glory of Indonesian spices.
The Secretary of North Halmahera, Erasmus Joseph Papilaya, welcomed the holding of this spice festival. According to him, this event provides an opportunity to develop spices in North Halmahera.
“Let’s concentrate on the spices in North Halmahera at this time. Developing spices in North Halmahera with an eye toward becoming recognized internationally is part of a comprehensive plan from UGM, which will boost our regional revenue. We can focus on the spice management and use for the benefit of the community and the region,” he said.
Vice-Rector for Student Affairs, Community Service, and Alumni Dr. Arie Sujito expressed hope that the festival would be a marker that North Halmahera possesses significant resources.
This potential needs to be highlighted so that the wider community can recognize the great potential in North Halmahera.
“Thus, optimism is being built around the region as a spice-producing area. There has already been an MoU to strengthen research and collaboration to help achieve prosperity and justice in North Halmahera,” he said.
The vice-rector also expressed gratitude to the North Halmahera Government and universities in the region for their willingness to collaborate in community service. He hoped the existing cooperation could be strengthened, sustained, and expanded to other fields.
Author: Ika
Photographer: Donnie