Bamboo Cannon || National Hero's Day || Documentary - Bireuen, Aceh, Indonesia

Last November 10, 2021, was the day of Commemorating Indonesian National Heroes Day. In Bireuen, Aceh, the city where I live, celebrate and enliven National Heroes Day with an inter-regional cultural arts competition festival event. Various kinds of cultural arts are contested at this event. One of them is the bamboo cannon race. Very interesting, because for me this is my first experience to participate in the National Heroes Day Commemoration event. And also my first experience playing with a bamboo cannon.

These photos was taken the night before the event. We are preparing the bamboo cannon, after testing it then we paint the bamboo cannon to make it look more attractive.

There are special tricks so that the explosion on the bamboo cannon can be loud. Starting from the selection of the size of the bamboo, how thin or thick the bamboo is, and how to blow it up. Not as easy as I imagined when I saw it.Unfortunately, our team didn't win. Our first round performed well, but the second round didn't go as well as the first. What is judged from the competition is the appearance, cohesiveness and most importantly the sound of the explosion of the bamboo weapons. The bigger the explosion, the bigger the points.

Actually this Bamboo Cannon game was a childhood game long before me. In some areas in Indonesia this traditional game is often played when welcoming big days. But for the Aceh area where I live. Haven't played it in a long time. From when I was little in the 90's to the age I am 31 years old now, and this is the first time the bamboo cannon game is being held again. Because it started in the 90s until 2004 when there was a conflict or war here. Therefore, it is forbidden to play games that have explosive sounds such as bamboo cannons and firecrackers.

This bamboo cannon was inspired by weapons during the colonial period in ancient times. A scary weapon at that time, is now a very entertaining game, both for children and adults. Activities like this are a form for us to appreciate history and introduce history, culture to generations. History should not be forgotten, because without history there would not be today.

What I feel now is that in the past the fighters fought and fought against invaders from other countries. But now we are colonized by our own country and unable to fight it. A war when the truth must be silenced seems forever.