Rising Flag Underwater

For the fifth time, the Marine Journalist Group (KJL) commemorated the seconds of Independence Day of Indonesia on 17 August by rising the red-white flag undersea. This happening took place at Sanur Beach.

"This year, we make cooperation with the Sanur Development Foundation and Club Aqua (Sea Walker)," explained Supardi, coordinator of the event, while adding that previously it has been carried out at Tulamben Village, Karangasem for three times and ultimately at Les Village, Singaraja.

A number of 17 divers and 12 sea walkers held a ceremony of rising red-white flag in the depth of five metres. One of them came in as commander of the ceremony, four as holder and waver of the red-white the flag, while the other as attendees taking place for 17 minutes.

Uniquely, other than wearing diving suits along with its apparatus, attendees of the ceremony also put on heroic accessories namely regional custom, farmer’s clothes including sharp bamboo log as weapon used in 1945. Having completed the ceremony, the attendees swam around underwater to enjoy the panorama of colourful coral reef and a variety of alluring fishes.

At the same time, the ceremony was also intended to celebrate the landing of Dutch troops at Sanur Beach igniting the agonizing Puputan Badung War, 20 September 1906. In the war, at least 3,500 relatives of the Badung Monarchy, along with its troops including the king and queen, were killed to maintain their territory against the grip of Dutch colonizer.

The happening that was initiated by KJL and coincidentally came in the program of the Sanur Village Festival (25-27/8) also organized an undersea ‘Fashion Show’ (27/8). (BTN/para)

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