BANDA ACEH | INDATANEWS.COM - Krueng Lampaseh in Banda Aceh was filled with festive excitement on Monday morning, August 17, 2026. After taking part in the ceremony marking the 81st anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Indonesia, scores of residents made their way to the river area separating Gampong Lampaseh Aceh from Gampong Lampaseh Kota.
By around 10 a.m. local time, the riverbanks had begun filling with residents. Children, teenagers, women and elderly people gathered closely together to watch the highlight of the "Semarak Kemerdekaan Bersama Daniel A. Wahab" celebration.
Two competitions drew particular attention: duck catching and pillow fighting. Both activities added to the lively atmosphere of the Independence Day celebrations in Krueng Lampaseh.
Banda Aceh Mayor Illiza Sa'aduddin Djamal officially opened the event in front of the large crowd gathered along the riverbank. Illiza was accompanied by
Banda Aceh Deputy Mayor Afdhal Khalilullah Muklis, Speaker of the
Banda Aceh City Council (DPRK) Irwansyah, First Deputy Speaker of the
Banda Aceh DPRK
Daniel Abdul Wahab, who also initiated the event, and Second Deputy Speaker of the
Banda Aceh DPRK Musriadi Aswad.
The executive and legislative officials then opened the competitions by releasing several ducks into the river. As soon as the ducks were set free, the atmosphere erupted into a lively chorus of voices.
Residents who had been waiting since early morning cheered enthusiastically. Participants jumped into the water, swam and splashed about as they tried to catch ducks moving in different directions.
The ducks swam back and forth across the surface of the river. Participants chased them, surrounded them and then attempted to catch them. Some managed to grab a duck within a short time, while others had to swim considerably farther and make a greater effort before finally securing their catch.
From the riverbank, spectators continued cheering on the participants. The cheers and shouts grew louder whenever a contestant came closer to the duck he or she was pursuing.
Duck Catching Becomes a Crowd Favorite
The
duck-catching competition was not simply a game in which participants competed for prizes. For the people of
Krueng Lampaseh, the activity has become part of the Independence Day celebrations, which have now been held for two consecutive years.
The enthusiasm of residents was evident from the large number of participants who entered the river. It was not only adult men who took part. Young women, teenagers and children also jumped into the water to join the competition.
The organizing committee also gave participants an opportunity to take home more than one prize. In addition to the duck they caught, they could win an extra prize, with a prize coupon attached to the duck's leg.
"Each duck we release into the river has a coupon attached to its leg listing various prizes. So, in addition to catching a duck, participants can also win an additional prize directly. A participant can therefore take home both a duck and another prize from a single competition," said Daniel, a young politician from the NasDem Party.
The lively atmosphere continued with the pillow-fighting competition. Two participants sat facing each other on a palm tree trunk positioned above the water. Each tried to knock the other off balance with a pillow and send their opponent into the river.
Spectators once again watched the contest with great enthusiasm. Cheers and shouts filled the riverbank whenever a participant succeeded in throwing an opponent off balance and into the water.
The organizing committee continued to enforce the rules to ensure a fair competition. Several participants were even disqualified by referees for striking toward their opponents' heads, which was considered a violation of the rules.
Although participants competed for victory and prizes, adherence to the rules remained an important part of preserving the spirit of fair play.
The series of traditional community games was being held for the second time after
Daniel Abdul Wahab, First Deputy Speaker of the
Banda Aceh DPRK and a representative of residents in the area, initiated the event.
The previous day, the organizing committee had also held a slingshot archery competition. Participants demonstrated their skills by shooting at a target positioned several meters away from the firing line.
In addition to the competitions, the committee organized a blood donation drive as part of the "Semarak Kemerdekaan Bersama Daniel A. Wahab" series of activities. The initiative reflected a commitment to social solidarity while complementing the festive atmosphere of the Independence Day celebration.
BRINGING INDEPENDENCE TO LIFE THROUGH DEVELOPMENT: First Deputy Speaker of the Banda Aceh DPRK Daniel Abdul Wahab calls on residents to give meaning to independence through community solidarity, maintaining peace and creating positive activities for the younger generation. (PHOTO: Adli Safwan)
Bringing Independence to Life Through Community
Daniel said the event had deliberately been kept simple. Behind the various competitions and social activities, however, he said there was a much greater message.
"Behind this simplicity is a much greater message, namely to foster a sense of community and happiness among the people of
Banda Aceh," Daniel said.
In his view, people should not commemorate independence solely through ceremonies and the raising of the national flag. Independence should also be brought to life by bringing people together, sharing joy, getting to know one another, helping each other and maintaining good relationships within the community.
For that reason, Daniel called on the people of
Banda Aceh, particularly the younger generation, to help preserve peace and security in the city. Political differences, differing views, backgrounds or interests should not become reasons for society to become divided.
"Different political choices, views, backgrounds and interests must not cause us to become divided," he said.
Daniel described peace as a fundamental foundation for development. At the same time, residents must regard security as a shared responsibility so that development can move forward and bring greater quality of life and happiness to the community.
He also urged residents not merely to be spectators of the city's development. Instead, citizens should take part in maintaining the environment while also helping enliven spaces for social interaction.
"We want our children to grow up in a peaceful atmosphere. We want young people to have spaces where they can be creative, play sports and engage in positive activities," he said.
Daniel emphasized that development should not be measured solely by the construction of roads and buildings or the provision of public facilities.
"Development must also be measured by how happy people are, how safe the city is and how strong the social relationships among its residents are," he said.
For this reason, Daniel expressed hope that the Independence Day competitions would become a place for residents to meet and connect, rather than simply a contest for prizes.
"Let us see this event as a place to meet one another. Children meet children. Young people meet young people. Older people come together with other residents. We laugh together, share happiness and once again strengthen our sense of belonging to our city," he said.
Daniel also expressed his appreciation to residents who participated in the blood donation drive. In his view, the initiative carried significant humanitarian value because donated blood could help people in need.
Mayor Says
Banda Aceh Is Safe and Peaceful
Mayor Illiza Sa'aduddin Djamal also cheered on the participants. She greeted residents around the event venue and helped release the ducks for the duck-catching competition.
Illiza expressed hope that the creative games held as part of the Independence Day celebration would bring laughter while strengthening relationships among residents. She also hoped the event would further encourage public enthusiasm for the Independence Day festivities.
According to Illiza, the lively celebration in Krueng Lampaseh also demonstrated that Banda Aceh is a safe and peaceful city. She encouraged residents and visitors to carry out their activities or visit the provincial capital of Aceh without hesitation.
"
Banda Aceh is safe and peaceful. Never be afraid to come to
Banda Aceh because the city is clean, comfortable and beautiful. We basically treat everyone who comes to
Banda Aceh well," Illiza said.
By the afternoon, the entire series of competitions had come to an end. The organizing committee then distributed prizes to the winners as well as to participants who had earned additional prizes.
Whether they won or lost, the participants continued to wear cheerful expressions. Children, teenagers, adults and spectators left the banks of
Krueng Lampaseh in high spirits.
The Independence Day celebration in Krueng Lampaseh ultimately required no elaborate arrangements to spread joy. Residents simply needed to come together, jump into the river, cheer each other on, laugh together and create opportunities to meet and connect.
In that simplicity, the spirit of independence found meaning in community, social solidarity, fairness and a shared commitment to preserving peace and harmony in
Banda Aceh.
(IDNC)REPORTER: Adli Safwan | EDITOR: Fik Sagala