Pacu Jalur Festival 2025

The Pacu Jalur Festival, originating in the 17th century to mark harvests and special ceremonies, has grown into an annual cultural event. Scheduled from August 20–24, 2025, along Tepian Narosa, Teluk Kuantan, the festival draws teams from across the region competing in traditional wooden boats handcrafted by local artisans.

Beyond the rowing races, visitors can enjoy cultural performances, traditional dance, music, and exhibitions showcasing the festival’s heritage and craftsmanship. This year, over 200 teams are expected, reflecting rising enthusiasm and expanding participation.

Pacu Jalur is a traditional boat-rowing race typical in the region. "Jalur" refers to a wooden boat made from specific types of wood in certain forests. The colorful atmosphere is created through the costumes of the rowers, cheering, and the sound of cannon fire to signal the start of the race. Interestingly, Pacu Jalur also has a historical record from the colonial era. During the Dutch colonial period, Pacu Jalur was part of traditional celebrations and commemorations of the birth of Queen Wilhelmina on August 31. The Pacu Jalur race was held for two to three days, depending on the number of participating "jalur."