Ambon, Indonesia - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono arrived at Ambon’s Pattimura Airport on Monday afternoon and was greeted with a traditional Mako-Mako dance from Amahai, Seram Island. The president and his entourage arrived here to attend the peak event of the international marine event of Sail Banda 2010 and declare Maluku a national fish barn on Tuesday, August 3, 2010.
Sail Banda local committee spokesman Cak Saimima said the Mako-Mako dance was usually performed to welcome a member of the family who had returned from a distant country. Saimima said 12 women had been trained by the Maluku Culture and Tourism Office and local Cultural Park to perform the dance to greet the head of state.
"We are also ready to greet the head of state and other Sail Banda guests with typical Maluku dances at Sail Banda’s peak event at the Yos Sudarso Pier on Tuesday, August 3, 2010," Saimima said.
On arrival at Pattimura airport, the President was greeted by Maluku Governor Karel Albert Ralahalu and a delegation of the local community dressed in traditional costumes.
"When the president arrives at the location of Sail Banda peak event at Yos Sudarso port, he will be welcomed with a traditional Tarbaar Irlaa dance from Tanimbar, West Southeast Maluku (MTB) district," Saimina said.
He said Sail Banda participants and spectators would also be entertained with Zamra, Parisa, and Pukul Sapu dances to the tunes of traditional "totobuang" music.
Saimima added that at the peak event of Sail Banda 2010 on Tuesday, President Yudhoyono would declare Maluku a national fish barn and then sign a Sail Banda commemorative stamp.The president would also symbolically hand over assistance for the renovation of Ambon’s Alfatah Grand mosque, Maranatha Church and Santo Paulus Church.
"After attending Sail Banda’s peak event, President Yudhoyono will fly to Ternate, North Maluku, for a working visit," Saimima said.
Source: http://english.kompas.com
