The Grand Finale of the 2022 Festival Budaya Isen Mulang (FBIM) was the dance competition, with ten regencies (similar to Provinces or States) entering their top teams. We were told to expect traditional dances, but these are not like any traditional dances we have ever seen before!

Each dance group were the winners from their respective regency. These dances are only performed in Central Kalimantan, and the quality of the performances is what you would expect in Las Vegas. The lighting, sound quality, professional costumes, and energy level was befitting a finale.

This year’s winner was the team from Palangkaraya (#9), where the festival was held. Kapuas (#4) won second place, and Sukamara (#2) came in third. At the beginning, there was a downpour, and the stage had to be dried and technical issues repaired.

Watch the 4 minute video above for 20 seconds of each competing team, and to get a feel of what the presentations were really like.

Earlier in the day was the blowgun contest for both men and women. The competitors would line up and blow darts from their blow guns, then the judges would determine the accuracy of the darts. The target was then moved further out, and the winners of those rounds would compete in the next level.

The 30 second video above shows what it was like to blow these darts through these long tubes, and then for the darts to hit the targets.

Another competition was the various boating contests, from paddle canoes to small motored one-man racing skimmers.

The 65 second video above shows the racers, giving a feeling of the speed and how low to the water the boats are. It finishes with one boater trying unsuccessfully to start his motor — a scene that was quite common on the water. The last segment shows our boat captain bailing water from our sinking boat… ☺

We talked earlier about VIP treatment. At the dance finale, our group was ushered to the elevated and covered VIP section facing the stage. Beautiful soft couches were then brought in for us to sit on, instead of the concrete benches. Food and drinks were also served. When the torrential rain hit, we remained dry, while the main audience had to rush to find cover.