LOVELY twilight at that night on Xantos Island came with warmth, but my thoughts were already far away, imagining the cool mountains and the dancing light of lanterns. Finally, after a long journey overland, I arrived at a place that felt like a dream: the Bamboo Palace. Not a grand palace with stone pillars, but an architectural marvel made entirely of bamboo.
The bamboo poles were sturdy and towering, forming a complex yet elegant structure, with unexpected touches of modern design.
“Welcome to the Bamboo Palace,” greeted a middle-aged man with a friendly smile, dressed in simple yet dignified traditional attire. “I’m Mr. Dewa, one of the managers here. You’re just in time for the Lantern Festival.”
“Thank you, Mr. Dewa. This place is amazing,” I replied, my eyes constantly admiring the detailed bamboo weaving that adorned every corner of the palace. “I’ve never seen such a sophisticated bamboo structure before.”
Mr. Dewa chuckled. “This is our ancestral heritage, combined with a touch of modern technology to make it stronger and more durable. We believe bamboo is the future.”
As the night progressed, the atmosphere grew more festive. Thousands of lanterns began to be lit, hanging from every corner of the palace and placed on the floor, from simple cylindrical ones to intricately carved ones resembling animals and plants. All made of finely woven bamboo, they emitted a dim light that created a magical atmosphere.
“Beautiful…” murmured a woman next to me, a foreign tourist with blonde hair. “It’s like a fairy tale.”
I nodded in agreement. Amidst the crowd, I saw a little girl in a red kebaya running happily, carrying a butterfly-shaped lantern. Her father smiled as he watched her.
“Is this festival held every year?” the tourist asked me.
“Yes,” I replied. “It’s an ancient tradition to celebrate the harvest with rituals and feasts. People here give thanks for their crops like cocoa, coconuts, and coffee…”
Suddenly, lively traditional music sounded from the main stage. A group of dancers in colorful costumes entered the arena. Their movements were energetic and rhythmic, yet there was something different. While the basic movements seemed like a primitive dance, there was a modern touch to the choreography, the transitions between movements, and the musical accompaniment, which incorporated traditional bamboo and wood instruments, as well as modern percussion.
“This is a Xin tribal dance,” whispered Mr. Dewa, who was suddenly standing beside me. “We want to preserve our ancestral heritage, but we don’t want to be stuck in the past. Art must also evolve.”
I was captivated. The dancers were immersed in each movement, telling stories of life, struggle, and joy. The other tourists were equally enthusiastic, capturing every moment with their cameras.
After the performance, we were invited to enjoy local dishes prepared in various corners of the palace. The tantalizing aroma of organic cuisine immediately greeted us. There was rice cooked in bamboo, various types of satay with rich spices, fresh vegetables stir-fried yet delicious, and a variety of sweet and chewy traditional snacks.
I met a young man named Arya who was enjoying his sate lilit (sate lilit). “The food here is delicious,” I said, taking a piece of bamboo rice.
“That’s right,” Arya replied with a broad smile. “All the ingredients are from their own garden, all organic. They really take care of the quality.”
“I really like the concept of this festival,” I added. “Traditions preserved with a modern touch. It doesn’t feel like a throwback to the past, but rather like a glimpse into the future that honors its cultural roots.”
Arya nodded in agreement. “That’s what we’re trying to do here. The younger generation should also be proud of our heritage, without feeling outdated.”
The night wore on, but the atmosphere at the Bamboo Palace grew warmer. The lanterns danced, the music continued, and the children’s cheerful laughter mingled with the chatter of the visitors. I felt so fortunate to be a part of this unique celebration. It wasn’t just about seeing the visual beauty or sampling the culinary delights, but also about experiencing the spirit of preserving cultural heritage in a smart and relevant way.
Before saying goodbye to Mr. Dewa, I thanked him for this unforgettable experience. “I’ll definitely come back next year,” I said sincerely.
Mr. Dewa smiled. “We will be waiting for your arrival. The glow of the lanterns at the Bamboo Palace will always welcome anyone who appreciates the beauty of heritage and the spirit of renewal.”
On my way to the Xantos Eco Resort, I kept thinking about the beauty of the Bamboo Palace and the sparkling Lanter Festival.
More than just a tourist destination, it is a symbol of hope, that tradition and modernity can go hand in hand, creating a beautiful and eternal harmony. (*)
