Dewi Kanti emphasized that Seren Taun is not just a ritual, but the guardian of national civilization
KUNINGANSATU.COM,– The 1959 Seren Taun Saka Sunda traditional ceremony at Paseban Tri Panca Tunggal, Cigugur, Kuningan Regency, reached its peak on Monday (8/6/2026). This annual tradition, which has been going on for more than a century, has once again become a meeting place for culture, spirituality and national reflection that confirms the values of Pancasila and local wisdom.
The Chief Executive of Seren Taun 2026, Dewi Kanti Setianingsih, emphasized that Seren Taun is not just a thanksgiving ritual for agrarian communities, but also a medium for conveying social and cultural messages to the wider community.
This year, Seren Taun carries the theme “Caring for the Inscriptions of Cultural Civilization for the Nation’s Future”. This theme was chosen to coincide with the momentum of Pancasila Month which is celebrated every June.
“Pancasila is the inscription of our civilization as a nation. Seren Taun is not only a ceremonial tradition, but has a vision and mission to convey the context of the social situation that occurs in society,” said Dewi Kanti in front of invited guests and thousands of people who crowded the Paseban area.
He explained that the Seren Taun series had been running since June 3 and was a form of preserving the traditions inherited by Prince Sadewa Madrais Alibasa Kusumah Wijayaningrat, founder of Paseban Tri Panca Tunggal. According to him, the continuity of Seren Taun for more than 100 years is strong evidence of the cultural resilience of the Cigugur indigenous people.
In her speech, Dewi Kanti also highlighted the importance of cross-regional collaboration in advancing culture. The presence of a delegation from Bali during the series of activities is considered to open up opportunities for cultural synergy between Balinese and Sundanese Tatars.
“Cigugur does not only belong to Cigugur, it does not only belong to Kuningan and West Java. This is our offering to the Indonesian people, a legacy from our ancestors,” he said.
Apart from traditional rituals, this year’s Seren Taun also presents an exhibition of artifacts and heirlooms from the Paseban Tri Panca Tunggal collection. These various historical objects are displayed as a means of public education about the traces of civilization and the long journey of Sundanese culture.
Meanwhile, the Director of Cultural Value Empowerment and Intellectual Property Facilitation of the Indonesian Ministry of Culture, I Made Dharma Suteja, representing the Minister of Culture Fadli Zon, expressed his appreciation for the consistency of the Cigugur people in maintaining ancestral traditions.
According to him, the agricultural culture at the root of Seren Taun is a noble heritage that must continue to be maintained. He gave examples of various agricultural rituals in Bali which are still carried out today as a form of respect for nature and the source of life.
“Agricultural ceremonies must be preserved. What is preserved is not only the traditions, but also the land, the water, and the farmers. Without all of this, the agricultural cultural cycle will not be able to survive,” said Made.
He emphasized that cultural preservation cannot be separated from efforts to protect the environment. Therefore, people are invited to continue caring for nature as a source of life as well as a space for the growth of culture.
The Ministry of Culture, he continued, is ready to support various cultural protection efforts carried out by the community, including through documentation and dissemination of information about local traditions.
The peak of Seren Taun 2026 was also attended by Kuningan Regent Dian Rachmat Yanuar, Chairman of the Kuningan Regency DPRD Nuzul Rachdy, member of the West Java Provincial DPRD Ika Rahmatica, traditional leaders, palace and kasepuhan leaders from various Sundanese Tatar regions, interfaith figures, and people from various regions.
Through this event, Seren Taun reaffirmed its role as a space for cultural encounters that not only maintains past traditions, but also builds the foundations of civilization for the nation’s future.
