Banda Aceh News | LHOKSEUMAWE, ACEH — The high-stakes final round of the traditional Geulayang Tunang (Acehnese traditional kite fighting) festival reached its climax on Monday afternoon, November 9, 2026, as 25 elite finalists battled strong coastal winds at the Brimob Firing Range in Jeulikat, Blang Mangat District, Lhokseumawe.
Held in celebration of the 81st anniversary of the Mobile Brigade Corps (Brimob), the cultural sports tournament competed for the Commander of Battalion B Pelopor Cup under the SatBrimob Polda Aceh division, drawing widespread public turnout from across Lhokseumawe and North Aceh Regency.
Event head referee M. Jafar confirmed that the 25 finalists secured their positions following rigorous qualifying rounds conducted a day prior, which saw dozens of skilled kite masters eliminated across preliminary heats.
“Today’s final features exactly 25 competitors,” Jafar noted, outlining the stringent technical criteria governing the competition. “Each participant is required to deploy a minimum string length of 400 meters. The kite line is anchored at designated ground stations, and the ultimate test requires the kite to maintain peak flight stability and remain aloft throughout an eight-minute ‘top’ endurance window.”
The kite that remains steady and highest in the sky at the conclusion of the eight-minute mark claims victory.
The ancient sport of Geulayang Tunang involves flying large, intricately handcrafted Acehnese traditional kites. The traditional festival demonstrates the unique flight dynamics and cultural heritage of these flying structures.
Harmonizing Heritage with Environmental Conditions
The final heats experienced a brief operational delay as organizers monitored heavy wind gusts sweeping across the Jeulikat firing range. Ground officials officially cleared participants to enter the arena and launch at 5:05 PM WIB once conditions stabilized.
In his opening address, Commander of Battalion B Pelopor SatBrimob Polda Aceh, Police Commissioner Muzakir, S.H., emphasized that kite flying in Aceh is far more than an idle pastime; it is an ancestral legacy (tradisi indatu) that demands preservation and deep environmental awareness.
“Playing traditional kites requires a delicate equilibrium between the pilot and the elements. As seen in the opening heat today, several kites snapped their lines within seconds of launching. This proves that success requires a balance between hobbyist skill and respect for nature,” Commissioner Muzakir observed.
Muzakir’s observations were immediately borne out on the field: during the opening phase alone, at least four finalist kites succumbed to turbulent air currents, snapping their lines and plunging back to the ground within seconds of airborne takeoff.
Sustaining Ancestral Traditions in Modern Aceh
The Geulayang Tunang festival highlights the enduring vitality of indigenous Acehnese pastimes amid modern sports and digital entertainment. Historically organized post-harvest across regional rice fields, traditional kite flying serves as a major communal bonding mechanism across northern Sumatra.
By integrating traditional cultural sports into official state and paramilitary anniversary proceedings like the Brimob Corps Jubilee, regional security leaders and cultural stewards ensure that Acehnese folk arts remain active, dignified, and pass seamlessly to upcoming generations.
