RRI.CO.ID, Pontianak: Young people's participation is a major factor in the Karya Makmur Dragon Community in Siantan, Pontianak City, West Kalimantan, in organizing dragon activities for the Chinese New Year and Cap Go Meh festivities. The majority of the volunteers in this event were between the ages of 17 and 18, and there were about 100 of them.

Henry Budiman, the leader of the Karya Makmur Community, said all the dragon performers were recruited from residents of the Siantan neighborhood, specifically on Jalan Parit Makmur. Several women also participated in the attraction.

"These are all local residents. We enlisted teenagers who had genuine interest in preserving culture. They participated voluntarily," said Henry, Sunday, January 18, 2026.

According to him, the involvement of the younger generation is intended to guarantee the continuation of their legacy and the protection of Chinese cultural traditions. The older generation imparts knowledge and skills to the younger generation through training and direct participation.

"We want the elders to teach the younger ones, so that in the future there will be successors who will preserve Chinese cultural traditions," he said.

This activity not only promotes culture but also offers neighborhood children a place to congregate and participate in constructive activities. When the dragon dance was first performed during the Cap Go Meh event last year, the crowd's excitement was evident.

The Karya Makmur Community made the dragon independently, from the frame to the ornaments, with its own level of difficulty.

"It took approximately six months to make. It's approximately 86 meters long. There were challenges, especially in figuring out the frame," said Tham Cuk Fie, a member of Karya Makmur Community, in Pontianak on Sunday, January 18, 2026.

He explained that the dragon is performed by approximately 100 people, and the dragon's head weighs 13 kilograms. To enhance its appearance at night, the dragon is also equipped with lights powered by a power bank.

Tham Cuk Fie's experience, having been involved in dragon-making with his father since childhood, was a key asset in this project. With personal funding, the dragons were created with fresher color combinations and creative designs, while maintaining traditional elements.

The support from the Pontianak City Administration, West Kalimantan, is also significant. The Naga Karya Makmur Community has been registered through the Chinese Cultural and Customary Council (MABT) to perform at the Cap Go Meh celebrations, as a form of facilitation and support for cultural preservation.

With a spirit of togetherness and the active participation of the younger generation, the Naga Karya Makmur Community hopes that their dragon performances will continue and become an important part of cultural celebrations in Pontianak City. (Misni Parjiati/Bambang MBKA)