A mesmerizing harmony of ocean, culture, nature, and community spirit in a breathtaking display

The Kei Islands in Southeast Maluku are currently hosting one of their most vibrant cultural celebrations, the 2025 Meti Kei Festival (FPMK), taking place from October 21 to 27, 2025. This annual festival celebrates the rare natural phenomenon of the great tidal ebb in the Kei Islands, known locally as Met Ev or Meti Kei. During this period, the sea recedes for hundreds of meters, giving local communities the chance to head to the beaches to catch fish, collect shells, and enjoy an abundance of marine resources.

At the heart of the festival is the traditional practice called Wer Warat or Tarik Tali, a communal fishing ritual involving thousands of participants. Using coconut leaves stretched across shallow waters, the Kei people work together to pull long ropes toward the shore, trapping fish along the way. This striking event, held at Wahan Beach in Ohoi Danar, reflects the strong sense of unity and the harmonious relationship between the Kei people and their natural surroundings.

With the theme “Accelerating Tourism Development in Southeast Maluku Toward a Regenerative and Sustainable Destination,” FPMK 2025 is presented as a hybrid event. Cultural performances and community activities are taking place at various venues and are also being streamed live on the Visit Kei YouTube channel. This approach allows the festival to engage a broader audience both locally and internationally.

Unlike previous editions, this year’s festival does not feature a MURI record-breaking event. Instead, the organizers are focusing on new programs that highlight regional potential and talent development. Among the main attractions is the dragon boat race at Sathean Waters, which also serves as a platform to discover skilled rowers from Southeast Maluku. Other key events include the Goyang Meti Kei dance celebration at Landmark Langgur, Van Kur Kurat at Ohoi Kolser, and a creative economy exhibition featuring locally made products from Kei artisans.

More than just a tourism celebration, FPMK provides a stage for artistic expression and creative collaboration among young local talents. Various music performances, traditional dances, and contemporary art showcases are filling the festival with color and energy. The grand finale on October 27, 2025, at Ngursarnadan Beach in Ohoililir, features the Kei Cultural Festival, presenting traditional dances, modern artistic collaborations, and performances by emerging talents and young choreographers.

Several regional leaders and ministers are attending the event, showing strong support for the development of sustainable tourism in Southeast Maluku. Since its first edition in 2016, the Meti Kei Festival has continued to grow as a symbol of pride for the Kei community, celebrating both the beauty of nature’s tides and the enduring spirit of togetherness that defines the people of Kei.

photo source: eventdaerah.kemenparekraf.go.id/event

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